Lifestyle

Will black box car insurance save me money?

 

By
29 Aug 2019

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It’s great being young. Fresh smooth skin, good hair, bundles of confidence. Plus, an in-depth knowledge of how to use a smartphone. But when it comes to car insurance being young sucks. Often plagued with black box car insurance.

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]According to Statista the average cost of car insurance for someone in their 20s is a whopping £1036 a year.  Insurance companies say it’s because younger drivers take more risks on the road.

So what do you do if you don’t drive like Lewis Hamilton and you always leave the car at home on nights out?

Have a look at black box insurance. If you’re a safe driver you could save money on your insurance premiums. This is good news because you can spend the extra money on something more exciting.

So, how does black box insurance work, where does it go and how big is it?[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

if you are a careful
driver you could pay a lot less.

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The black box

It’s really a computer device, rather than a box. It’s only the size of a smartphone and it’s fitted under your dashboard. That way nobody knows it there apart from you and the insurance company. When you take out a black box insurance policy an engineer will come to your home or work and fit the device into the car. 

How black box car insurance works

Once it’s installed it records whether you are driving during the day or at night. It also keeps information about your speed, the way you take corners and how you brake and accelerate. It also records how many miles you travel and the roads you use. The insurance company can then build up a detailed assessment of the way you drive.

You can access the information through a black box app which you can view on your phone, tablet or computer. The information on the app will tell you if you have any bad habits, like braking hard or speeding.  You’ll then be able to pinpoint whether or not your driving style needs improving. If you’re driving well, when you next renew your policy you should be offered a discount. [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Other benefits

There are other benefits to having a black box. If you’re involved in an accident the black box will have recorded certain information. This includes your speed and the force of the impact. It means that if the accident wasn’t your fault there might be evidence available to prove you weren’t at fault. 

Black boxes also have GPS systems. So If someone steals the vehicle the insurance company will be able to trace its whereabouts. So, you might be lucky and get your car back while it’s still in one piece.

Restrictions

Some insurance companies limit your mileage and restrict night driving. That might be okay if you have a 9 to 5 job. But, if you work shifts and drive in the early hours or do a lot of mileage, a black box policy won’t be such a good idea.

Yes, it’s a bit like being spied on. Not everyone wants their insurance company to know how they drive. But, if you are a careful driver, you could pay a lot less with a black box than a traditional insurance premium.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]