Telematics Clearbox used with Insurance

[madmatt]

Hi All,

My insurance is due for renewal...booooo
The usual sites get a bunch of quotes and I'm paying typically as much as I was last time around...but hey ho.

The cheapest quote I got was from a company called "insure the box".
They use a Telematics Clear Box, installed into your car, that monitors:

Speed
Acceleration
Breaking
Types of Roads Driven
Distance
Time of Journey
Duration of Journey

...all through GPS tracking (can also be used as a tracker if your car's stolen).

Now, even though it was my cheapest quote, they trend your driving data over a while and adjust your insurance to your driving......no likey!

Very, 1984 to me.
I can see why you would do it, adjusting insurance to individual drivers but at the end of the day, it's a Renaultsport!
What's the point in having a Renaultsport if you have to drive Mrs Daisy so you don't get arsef*cked by insurance companies?!

Just figured I'd share

 

[Matt]

I guess this type of insurance is more suited towards those that drive very sensibly through towns etc and barely even use the car.

Perhaps they're giving you a cheap quote to draw you in and then once they notice the driving styles increase it. There is most likely some form of contract that allows them to adjust the policy otherwise I'm sure they'd be ripping these boxes out all over the place!

I'm going to do a quote with them to see how it compares. No intention of even considering them just interested

 

[DrDrew]

I read up on a few of these and they do adjust the premiums up and down based on your driving. Think they can give you up to 50% back as a "reward", or add on an extra 75% for "bad" driving.

You do have to be very careful with these things, I read that due to the way they measure the "bad" driving (faster changes in speed or direction), it will mark you down for all sorts of things
Taking a roundabout above walking pace
Accelerating quickly on a motorway slip road or onto a roundabout
Overtaking
Breaking heavily to avoid that pedestrian/car/motorbike/cycle/animal that's just moved in front of you rather than hitting them
Braking to stop for a faster changing set of lights
....

 

[Anonymous]

god help you if you go to the drag strip or tracking it. im sure they wouldnt by pass the system and it'll show so extremely horrific numbers that would make them rip out their hair. hehe

 

[renthal278]

I had one of these with my old insurance company..... Don't do it is all I would say. I had a cheap quote so went for it and like you said driving like you would do in a Renaultsport two months later down the line they added another 850 quid to my premium!!! Never again!!

 

[maggi200]

I think these are aimed at young drivers really. A way of starting your insurance off slightly better prices, probably pushed on them by parents in an effort to ensure they drive carefully and within the law

 

[jra3d]

Stay well clear!

I've been made aware some companies, if you where to exceed 95mph they have the ability to terminate your insurance on the spot!

 

[madmatt]

I wasn't even thinking about trying them, too "Big Brother" for me.

No point even using the car if I have to ensure it to drive with an unreasonable amount of caution, which I feel is dangerous in itself.

But hey, somepeople will be using them as they are the supremely cautious drivers but as you say, they hook you with cheaper premiums and then impale you with increasing costs!

 

[pritchp]

I am a very very very careful driver.. i may try this



ahahahahahahaha

 

[Leanne]

I would so try this. not!!

 

[Courtney]

Had a letter from co-op through yesterday, it appears they are doing a similar thing now... what a joke...
This is a safe driving policy.
This is evaluated by having a Smartbox installed in your car – this will measure speed, acceleration/braking, cornering and the time of day that you drive.
Premiums are based on how safe a driver those on the policy are.
Premiums may go up or down during the term of your insurance depending on how safely the vehicle is being driven.
If you drive a lot during the night (e.g. night shift worker) your premium is likely to increase.
Your policy can be cancelled mid-term in the event of dangerous or excessive speeding – should this happen this could affect you getting future car insurance.
The policy does not give provision to drive other vehicles on a ‘Third party’ basis.
Wunelli Limited will use some of the information collected by the Smartbox for non-insurance related purposes.
If you intend to change your vehicle before the renewal there is a charge of £90 plus any premium adjustment

 

[Daveyb133]

what a load of ****

 

[Steve-o]

Do they install it? Just thinking that you could make some sort of base to alter the severity of the effects on the accelerometers lol

 

[weebob]

So you could take evasive action due to someone else driving like a cock and it affect your premium.

**** that for a box of tits

 

[pritchp]

Do they install it? Just thinking that you could make some sort of base to alter the severity of the effects on the accelerometers lol

what you could do...is... take it off your car without them finding out...

strap it to a tortoise and your premium will go right down hahaha