Car Insurance Monitoring Devices (2024)

What do insurance companies track with car monitoring devices & apps?

Every car insurance company will monitor different driving behaviors to calculate your discount, but for the most part, an insurance company will track the data they need to determine what kind of driver you are.

For instance, some of the factors used to calculate your discount for DriveMyWay include:

  • Vehicle usage (how often you drive)
  • Braking (how smoothly or abruptly you apply the brakes when stopping)
  • Acceleration (how quickly or smoothly you accelerate after stopping)
  • Speed
  • Time of day you’re driving
  • Distracted driving habits

Remember: The safer you drive, the more likely you’ll increase your eligibility for a higher discount.

How can I get a car insurance monitoring device?

Interested in car insurance monitoring devices and usage-based insurance? American Family Insurance makes it easy to get started. To qualify for DriveMyWay, you need to be insured with an American Family auto insurance policy. Then you can enroll in the program by speaking with your agentand downloading the app.

Is my privacy protected with a car insurance monitoring device/app?

Here at American Family, it’s our top priority to keep your personal information safe and confidential. We’ll protect the data collected from DriveMyWayand we won’t share it unless we’re required to by law.

Are car insurance monitoring devices and apps worth it?

It’s really up to you! But our take on it? 100% yes! Aside from saving on your policy, the greatest benefit ofDriveMyWay is building safer driving habits by becoming aware of what you need to work on. You’ll make the road a safer place and maybe even put some extra change in your pocket. If you ever want to opt out of the program, it’s as simple as getting in touch with your agent.

Ready to become a safer driver and get a discount on your auto insurance premium? Connect with an American Family Insurance agentto find out how you can save on your auto insurance with DriveMyWay. Be sure to learn more about DriveMyWayand download the app, too.

*Rate will vary based on driving behavior. Unsafe driving behaviors may increase your rate. Product eligibility will vary by state, vehicle type, policy form and company underwriting the auto policy. Some restrictions may apply. The DriveMyWay rate factor applies only to these coverages, which are typical for most auto policies: bodily injury liability, property damage liability, collision and comprehensive, medical expense, and personal injury protection. Additionally, the rate factor does not apply to fixed fees that are part of the policy. To refresh your understanding of coverages, visit the Car Insurance Coverage page. Customer driving behaviors from the KnowYourDrive program were used to inform rate structure. Adding or removing drivers from a policy may impact the overall score. Households where not all eligible participants on the policy are enrolled will receive a 5% introductory discount. If you unenroll drivers after the 100-day trial period ends, we’ll still use their driving behavior at the time of unenrollment when calculating your rate.

**Customers who bundle home and auto insurance policies may save up to 23% on both policies together (as of December 2023). Discounts may vary by state, property, policy form and company underwriting the home and/or auto policy. Discounts may not apply to all coverages on a home or auto policy.

Car Insurance Monitoring Devices (2024)

FAQs

Can insurance companies put a tracker on your car? ›

You may be wondering whether your car insurance company can track your car. UBI (or good driver) programs are voluntary. In other words, your insurance company can only track your vehicle if you opt into a program. If you've opted into a program and no longer want to participate, you can also opt out.

How do car insurance companies monitor your driving? ›

How can insurance companies know that you're a safe driver? Usually, they rely on the information they collect from special equipment they install in the vehicle. They're known as insurance trackers or telematics.

Are car insurance trackers worth it? ›

Do insurance trackers save you money? Yes, it's possible for these trackers to save you money on your car insurance premiums. If you're a safe and responsible driver and you don't drive often, an insurance tracker can report this back to your insurer, who can then offer a discount on your premium.

What is the auto insurance company that uses an app to monitor? ›

Better drivers deserve better rates

Drive with the Root app. While you drive, we gather and analyze data from your smartphone's sensors. After a few weeks, you can get a car insurance quote based primarily on how you drive.

Can I sue someone for putting a tracker on my car? ›

The legality of using a GPS tracker on another person's vehicle without their permission is clear—it is illegal in all 50 states. Not only does this act violate legal standards, but it also exposes the individual to potential civil lawsuits for privacy infringements.

How do insurance companies track you? ›

Today, the majority of auto insurance companies offer usage-based insurance (UBI) programs. Once you join this program, the insurance company provides the equipment to track your driving habits. Tracking your driving is done with a device plugged into an onboard diagnostic (OBD) car port or by way of a smartphone app.

What happens when you unplug a car tracker? ›

The plug-and-play devices work when plugged into the car and not when it disconnects. It is easy to disable it. Also, the devices have an internal antenna and battery to keep sending the signals. When the same is unplugged, it sends an alert to the owner.

What process will the insurance company use to monitor the insured? ›

Under the concurrent review process, the insurance company will monitor the insured's hospital stay to make sure that everything is proceeding according to schedule and that the insured will be released from the hospital as planned.

Do insurance companies send people to watch you? ›

In some cases, an insurance company may hire a private investigator to follow you throughout your day to gather evidence about your activities and injury claims. If you are in public or in a place where privacy isn't expected (like outside your house), an insurance company may be able to spy on you.

Does an AirTag count as a tracker for insurance? ›

An AirTag is a great solution for other everyday items that get stolen or lost, but not for using it as a car tracker. The best car trackers have many more features including a monitored control centre for 24-hour assistance.

Do car trackers have a monthly fee? ›

First off, it should be pointed out that most GPS car trackers come with a subscription. It's the usual model for this kind of protection as is explained below. That doesn't mean though that it is essential to have one, as some brands offer a GPS tracker without a subscription.

Can insurance companies access EDR? ›

Considerations Before Signing:Privacy Concerns:Sharing EDR data can give insurers a detailed picture of your driving habits, potentially impacting your rates or coverage in the future. Data Accuracy:EDR data might not always be entirely accurate and could be misinterpreted by insurance companies.

What does the progressive app monitor? ›

With Snapshot, we measure a variety of factors related to your driving, including things such as the time of day you drive, sudden changes in speed (hard brakes and rapid accelerations), the amount you drive, and, for customers using the mobile app in some states, how you're using your mobile phone while driving.

Can insurance companies track your cell phone? ›

Yes, auto insurance companies have the ability to access and check your phone records under certain circ*mstances. However, it is important to note that this practice may vary depending on your jurisdiction and the specific insurance company policies.

How does insurance app know if you're driving? ›

Car insurance tracking apps use various sensors and data sources within your smartphone to collect information about your driving behavior. The Global Positioning System in your smartphone plays a crucial role in tracking your location and movement.

How does vehicle monitoring work? ›

The installed telematics device collects and transmits the important vehicle and driver data in real time. Using cellular networks data is sent on to regional servers. In today's modern world, the coverage, signal strength and speed provide a reliable means to transfer data with efficiency.

How does Snapshot know if I'm driving or a passenger? ›

How does the Snapshot app with Road Test know if I am driving? The app can tell when you're driving based on your speed and the distance you're traveling. It can also tell when you're the driver rather than a passenger. It's entirely automatic, so you can hop in your car without a second thought.

How does driver monitoring work? ›

A Driver Monitoring System is a safety feature involving a sensor (usually a camera) within the car's co*ckpit that observes the person behind the wheel. It warns drivers when they are drowsy or inattentive to the road and intervenes if the driver has become incapacitated or fails to react to an impending accident.

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