As a young driver, it’s likely you’ll find your insurance premiums are more costly. This is because insurers assume that you have less experience on the roads and are statistically more likely to be involved in an accident.
You can change this. What if we told you there’s an insurance policy that uses location-based software to analyze your driving, adjusting your premium accordingly? This way, you’ll only pay based on how you drive, not how people like you are assumed to drive.
Enter telematics insurance, but exactly what is telematics insurance, how does it work, and why is it the best insurance policy for young drivers? Read on to find out!
Let’s talk telematics
Telematics is the word used to describe software that gathers data using telecommunications and informatics. It might sound complicated, but really, all you need to do is have either a chip installed in your windshield or download an app on your cell.
Using your cells’ already installed gyroscope and Global Positioning System (GPS), the location-based software can send data to your insurance provider so your premium can be adapted accordingly.
What telematics measures
The data that’s measured using telematics include how safely you drive and the distances you travel. The safety of your driving is measured through things like how suddenly you stop at stop signs and whether you abide by the speed limits.
Also, the further or more frequently you drive could indicate increased exposure to the roads, which statistically means you’re at higher risk of being involved in an accident. If you don’t drive very often, or only for short distances, telematics will ensure you won’t be paying as much as someone who does.
The time of day at which you most frequently drive will also be measured, as someone who drives during the day and in hours of better visibility is less likely to have an accident than someone who drives at night, in the dark. This will reflect in your insurance premium.
Your insurance provider will be able to gather enough data to accurately represent your driving behaviors. This means that if you get in a Lyft, Uber, or on any sort of public transport and the driver isn’t as safe as you might like, then this won’t go against you, as your already-gathered data will help the telematics decipher whether or not it’s actually you driving.
Could it be the policy for you?
Finding the right policy for you can be a challenge, but there are so many benefits when you opt for telematics insurance, that it’s definitely worth considering – particularly as a young driver.
One benefit is thanks to the location-based services, as, should you be involved in an accident or collision, you won’t need to worry about trying to figure out exactly where you are.
Your insurance provider will simply be able to send roadside assistance to your precise location if this is covered in your premium. This means that you’ll be able to receive more efficient help, should you need it.
Location-based services are active in everyday life, with the likes of Waze, maps, Pokémon Go, and even some social media platforms utilizing this advancement in technology.
So, with telematics insurance for your car, you can rest assured that the best tech is involved in keeping you safe, with access to your driving patterns to help you become an even safer driver, and effectively lower your premium at the same time.