Car insurance is, to many motorists, a necessary evil. We all know that we need it, but we also know that it can be a bit of a pain. And now there's a new type of car insurance on the market that promises to be even more of a pain than the traditional kind. It's called black box insurance (sometimes called .Telematic', and it's not necessarilyas cool as it sounds.
Black box insurance is a type of car insurance that uses a small device, known (would you believe) as a black box, to track your driving habits. The box is usually fitted to your car's dashboard or somewhere else in the car, and it collects data about how you drive. This data is then sent to your insurance company, who use it to determine how much you should pay for your insurance.
At first glance, black box insurance might seem like a good idea. After all, if you're a safe driver, you should be rewarded with lower insurance premiums, right? Well, yes and no. Whilst it's true that black box insurance can save you money if you're a safe driver, there are also a number of drawbacks to this type of insurance.
- Firstly; it can be very intrusive. It is constantly monitoring your driving habits, which means that your insurance company knows exactly where you are; and how you're driving; at all times. For some people, this might not be a problem. For others, it can feel like a serious invasion of privacy.
- Secondly; it can be very inflexible. Because your insurance premiums are based on your driving habits, if you make a mistake or have a bad day behind the wheel, your premiums could go up. And if you're a young driver, you could find yourself facing exorbitant premiums, even if you're a safe driver. This is because insurance companies often see young drivers as high-risk, regardless of their actual driving habits.
- Thirdly; black box insurance can be very limiting. If you're someone who likes to take long drives, drive late at night or early in the morning, or drive on winding roads, you could find that your insurance premiums go up, simply because the black box sees these activities as risky. This means that you could end up paying more for your insurance, even if you're a safe and responsible driver.
- Fourthly; you may not always be the one in the driving seat. Let a nechanic road test it or put it through an MOT test and if that person isn't ultra gentle you could find your premium rocketing.
- Fifthly: These devices are often expensive, and have to be fitted by a qualified mechanic. Guess who pays for this, in the form of a higher premium?
- Sixthly; it may prevent you from changing insurer. To do so you would possibly need to have the old box removed by one mechanic; then a new one provided by a different guy! More expense.
- And finally; black box insurance can be very stressful. Because your insurance premiums are constantly changing based on your driving habits, you might find yourself constantly worrying about how you're driving. This can be especially true for younger drivers, who may feel like they're constantly being watched and judged.
So, is buying this type of insurance a good idea? Well, it depends on your personal preferences and driving habits. If you're someone who doesn't mind being monitored, who drives very carefully, and who doesn't take any risks behind the wheel, then black box insurance could be a good option for you. If you're someone who values your privacy, who enjoys taking long drives, or who occasionally makes mistakes whilst driving, then black box insurance might not be the best choice.
At the end of the day, it's important to remember that there's no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to car insurance. Every driver is different, and every driver has different needs and preferences. So, before you sign up for black box insurance or any other type of car insurance, make sure you do your research, read the fine print, and weigh up the pros and cons. And if you're not sure which type of insurance is right for you, talk to your insurance provider or a trusted financial advisor. After all, your car insurance is too important to leave to chance.
