JCB offers anti-theft devices as standard on many of its machines.

JCB customers could save hundreds of pounds in insurance premiums after the company announced it is offering anti-theft devices as standard on over 80% of its machines sold in the UK and Ireland in 2011.

Under the name "JCB Guardian", all JCB backhoe loaders, telehandlers and tracked and wheeled excavators will be fitted with an immobiliser and the JCB LiveLink system, which allows machines to be tracked and located by satellite if stolen.

This is the first time any JCB product has been protected as standard with both immobilisers and LiveLink, a move that will help save some UK customers almost GBP1,500 (USD2,408) over three years in insurance premiums with JCB Insurance.

UK and Ireland sales director Yvette Henshall-Bell says plant theft is getting worse in the UK. "While it was rare two years ago for customers to ask for theft protection on machines, more and more are now asking for them.

"It's our intention to make life as difficult as possible for thieves by introducing theft protection as standard on our products and at the same time saving our customers the cost and inconvenience caused by plant theft," Henshall-Bell explains.

JCB LiveLink will also be installed as standard on JCB's wheeled loading shovels and range of Telemaster articulated shovels. Immobilisers will be fitted as standard on JCB's range of compact telehandlers and mini-excavators.

According to JCB, over GBP1 million (USD1.6 million) of construction and agricultural machines are stolen in the UK and Ireland each week and just 8% of that is ever recovered.