There is something new in the world of automobile insurance called Telematics technology. Telematics is also referred to as usage-based insurance. This technology uses mobile apps and/or devices installed in your car. These devices track factors like speed, miles driven, miles covered, acceleration levels and how hard you brake. TransUnion reports the number of drivers who accepted a telematics offer increased by 33% from 2021 to 2022.
There are an increasing number of insurers who offer an automatic discount to drivers who voluntarily agree to having a Telematics program installed with additional savings available for safer drivers. Nationwide advertises a 10% discount to customers who opt in to their SmartRide program. Nationwide then gives up to 40% off your insurance rates based on their approval of your behavior behind the wheel. There is the idea that Telematics may help you become a safer driver by providing feedback to your driving style and it may ultimately help reduce your premiums.
If this is such a win for the consumer, why wouldn’t everyone embrace this? There are serious privacy concerns when someone you don’t know can track your every movement. Additionally, certain drivers and behaviors will be penalized. How will you know how the insurance company defines certain behaviors? What do they consider excessive acceleration? How do they explain and either reward or penalize what they decide is hard braking? Do they change how they define these and will you as the consumer be notified. Some studies suggest night driving is more-risky. Does that mean if you regularly drive at night the company could define that as risky and increase your premium? Be wary whenever an insurance company says they voluntarily want to help you lower the amount of money you pay them!
We represent people who are injured because of the careless and reckless acts of others. At the end of the day your case can only be settled one time and you need to know all of the facts beforehand. The reason that insurance companies have paid our clients in excess of $130,000,000.00 is that we get the facts and are not intimidated at the prospect of going to trial when insurance companies fail to offer full compensation. We help with serious injuries that require serious representation. We are the Law Offices of Guenard & Bozarth, LLP. Our attorneys have more than 60 years of experience specializing in only representing injured people. Call GB Legal 24/7/365 at 888-809-1075 or visit www.gblegal.com We would be honored to represent you!
