When switching car insurances recently, I learned that most insurers offer a significant discount when you signup to use a tracking app or device which monitors driving habits and distances. You might see 10%-30% savings when you signup for tracking; exact savings will vary by insurer and policy.
I’m guessing everyone else already knew this. I was vaguely aware of such tracking programs, but thought it was a unique thing to select insurers. However, from researching now various insurance options, it seems that every insurer has this program in one form or another. I write this post in case there some other set-it-and-forget types like me who set up their insurance years ago and never noticed this savings program.
Two things to keep in mind:
- Someone sensitive to privacy concerns won’t find the savings worthwhile.
- Someone who doesn’t have good driving habits will likely do better without the app.
- It is worth noting, however, that even an aggressive driver should be able to get an initial discount. But at the next renewal (6 months or 1 year later) their rate will probably end up being higher and they’ll lose out in the long run.
- One insurance agent cited me a Progressive study that 90% of people (I think that was the number she said?) end up saving, in the long run, by having the app. I’d be interested in hearing real-world experiences on this.
no thanks !
i bought my Mercedes AMG so i can have some fun sometimes, and not drive like a Prius 🙂
I use PEMCO and have installed their equivalent app. It lets you edit out the rides that were not you driving (or were horrible).
I recommend using a second phone for this and not to touch it during the drive or it will ding you for looking at your phone.
It always REALLY lowers your overall “rating score” for what it deems a hard braking incident. My overall score went from 100 to 92 after one such “bad drive”
Just signed up w USAA SafePilot. Rules state you must drive 325 miles during policy period. I suggest turning off the app if you watch videos and check Facebook while driving lol. Just turn on the app when you know you’ll be granny mode.
Unsafe driving is so funny, all pedestrians murdered this year are rolling in their graves laughing too.
Agree 100%. You can also add other drivers to pedestrians. Those practices along with texting is worse than driving drunk.
You suck.
No thanks, I drive as if I’m in a GTA sim so this will def raise my rates.
NYC was not built for this app, suburban drivers will be probably do ok
Do not do this. Used progressive one and my insurance rate when up.
I have never had any infractions or citations and a near perfect record in a large crowded major city
The large crowded major city might have had more to do with it. Insurance rates have gone up dramatically, especially in urban areas. If you didn’t use it, might have gone up more.
I drive easy anyways and very rarely. I only do about 4,000 miles a year between two vehicles. Never at night.
I use the plug in SnapShot device with Progressive. Only works with vehicles ’96 and later with an OBD-II port.
First vehicle I used it on had a very low rate to begin with and the device knocked 20% off. The current vehicle had a higher rate, but SnapShot knocked 30% off.
So far, in about seven mionths there has only been one hard brake recorded.
Signing up programs like this may only save your money temporary. Just wait until they’ve analyzed the collected data and decided to raise the premium for everyone because people’s driving habits are riskier than they’ve predicted in the past.
I have read a lot of negative comments about having an app, but my experience has been positive. We live in the midwest and have 3 vehicles, all less than 5 years old. I switched to State Farm from GEICO 3 years ago and my last 6 month GEICO premium was $939 for the 3 vehicles. State Farm’s initial 6 month premium was $701. My most recent premium for the next 6 months is $735 and in the intervening 3 years, it has mostly been under $700. The SF website shows that the discount that I am receiving from the tracker is over $500 for 6 months. That is hard to believe as that is approx a 40% discount. I have not changed my driving habits one bit. I generally drive between 5-10 mph over the speed limit and brake hard more than I should. My wife and son are about the same. When I first got the tracker I used to monitor it all the time. Now I hardly ever look at it.
It makes for a very paranoid driving experience. What they consider hard braking or aggressive turning is a little bit ridiculous. I believe it actually makes driving a bit more dangerous…when stoplights turn yellow…you just have to drive through or you will be dinged for hard braking.