I'm switching insurance carriers and the new carrier mentioned that if we are willing to "plug in" a device under the dash (OBDII)? and leave it there for 6 months, they will offer up to an aditional 15% off premium if we meet certain parameters. My wife was invovled in the conversation, not myself so I wasnt able to ask questions. It sounds like they are monitoring, among other things, speeds and braking habbits. Anyone have experience with this that can supply some details? Anything I should know before doing this? Will the dealer be ok with this if I need to go have it serviced? etc etc...
thanks!

 

This is something new.. I have never heard of this before.. I guess I would be wondering what it is they are monitoring.. In away I would feel it bit uncomfortable about having them do that with out knowing what info they are getting..

 

They are looking for "hazardous" driving....like hard braking....hard acceleration...hi top speeds...
Guess it comes down to how you drive....
A couple different companies have been advertising the "plugin" for a discount for a couple years on TV.....

 

NO WAY I'd try it. It has GPS so it knows when your speeding etc. My rates would double.

 

I have read past posts on other sites that these plug in adapters are causing problems with the vehicles when you unplug it. I will try and find the posts again and post them here.

 

My insurance offered me that this last year, I said sure why not. They said they could get yearly miles (needed each year), if the vehicle was stolen, they could track it (qualified as an antitheft device = discount), and were able to monitor driving habits, as well as monitor my new drivers habits. They also stated that I would be able to log into may account and see data for each car.

I plugged them in two all three of my vehicles. They couldn't get them to connect for weeks (I live in the middle of nowhere). They were totally useless as far as knowledge of how the unit worked. I assumed it was a cellular device, but they did not know. They could get them to connect now and then, and never had any idea why or when. Finally over the last few months they asked for them all back after claiming that they tried to contact me and fix the problem many times (not once did I receive a call, email, or mail). So they now have all of them back The website was useless, and could only do one car (total) and could only tell you where it was hours after the fact. All in all totally useless.

Oh and I believe the 15% discount was only on my deductible.

Waste of time and not worth the hassle, if you ask me.

Nik

 

The thing that bothers me here is their ability to track the vehicle if it's stolen. If my car is ever stolen, the last thing I want is to get it back.

 

My privacy is worth way more than 15%..

 

If you don't drive very far or drive very fast this might work for you to get a discount. I value my privacy more than that.

 

USAA is offering me a similar device to be able to monitor my son who is about to get his drivers license. They are not offering a discount - instead it is being marketed as a way to help develop good driving habits (or at least identify bad/dangerous ones). I'm still debating whether I want to give it a try.

 

THIS 1000XXX!!!

 

This reminded me of something I saw on TV a while back. The dad installed the device, but didn't tell his son he did. Son discovered device, big trust issue ensued.

That said, when my children were teenagers, I wish I had that option. But I think I would tell them up front; you wanna drive, I'm gonna be watching ya..

 

I was told by progressive it didn't monitor my speed. I also preferred my privacy and didn't do it.

 

XSmini / Nik,
Thanks for that beta. I can be a mellow- ish driver for 6 months. That's not my worry. Privacy- yeah I don't like anything that is "tracking". Not that I have a thing to hide. It really is the principle of it all. I'll gladly take a discount- HOWEVER If it is only a discount on a deductible IF/ When I MAY need it, I will certainly pass. I'll take a discount on ongoing premium but... Not worth the hassle for much less.

 

Did someone say 1984?

 

You said it.

 

You got that right!

Your car is already able to tattle on you if you've been in an accident, and there have been articles reporting that the police, government, etc. can track your movements if your car has OnStar. This is just one more way to get "the camel's nose under the tent," IMHO.

 

So,.... they give the discount whether or not their device can acquire telemetry? Hmm,...

 

you do know you can be tracked by your cell phones, right?

 

But that data does not get sent without my approval to an insurance company.... Yet...

 

Tell'em to pound sand, work 15% harder and pay the premiums....hahaha.

 

anyone that knows your cell phone number can track you directly, with or without your permission

 

856 220 8117

Tell me where I am.

Not just based on area code.

Thanks.

 

Such an interesting topic - WOW.

I am sure they (Big Brother) can track you via cell and other methods. Sometimes you have to come to the conclusion that there is more information out there than staff to read it. (More of us then them)

I don't care if they try to track me via cell phone. And oh those camera's at stop lights and all over the city that can track a bomber, well, they can track me too. And it has been stated that if you are in Public you can be recorded as there is no assumption of privacy.

Me, for safety reasons I installed Dash Cams in my car. I love them and can download HD video to my device as the unit has built in WiFi in the car. Just imagine having the video of an accident on your device before the police show up! Check out Blackvue.com

As for insurance ......

There are several methods I understand for rates one of which is credit score. Driving distance is another. I am not much for feeding insurance companies more information to screw me. Been in several bad accidents (not my fault) and my own insurance company was little or no help. If they are not processing the claim they offer zero advice. Not a Good Neighbor! (Hint)

But you can buy these plug in devices assuming you are not living in the sticks to monitor your car or your kids diving which is not a bad idea.

Maybe in the future car insurance will be based on websites you visit? Your Tax Return? Driving while talking on the phone or texting? How much gasoline you purchase or other credit card purchases? Maybe how many kids you have? How many times you have been married? Medical issues or doctor visits? Or treatments? Alcohol purchased?

So what is fair?

 

http://sourceforge.net/projects/gpsmapper/