Is black box car insurance worth having?

Black box insurance (also called a telematics policy) is designed to give young and inexperienced drivers, who are typically considered as high risk by insurers, a less costly option when it comes to car coverage.

A recent analysis of auto insurance quotes by Compare the Market illustrates the huge potential savings young motorists can obtain by taking out this type of policy.

Data gathered by the price comparison website between August 2021 and February 2022 revealed that black box policies are cheaper for 78% of 17 to 20-year-olds and 69% of those aged 21 to 24 compared to standard car insurance. For the younger age group, premiums can be slashed by a whopping £1,137 annually if they opt for a telematics policy, while drivers under 25 can save an average of £388.

Many young motorists, however, are passing up on these significant savings because of privacy concerns.

A separate survey conducted by the company showed that three in five drivers under 25 were not interested in having a black box installed in their vehicles to track driving behaviour. More than half, or 55%, of those between 21 and 24, and about two in five under 21s admitted that the main reason was that they were uncomfortable sharing their driving data with insurance companies. 

Read more: Is telematics the solution to unaffordable car premiums?

How does black box car insurance work?

Black box insurance utilises technology to monitor a person’s driving habits, enabling insurers to determine a motorist’s risk profile more accurately than when relying on conventional metrics such as age, residence, and driving experience.

The technology used in this type of policy varies between insurance providers and can take the form of GPS trackers that require professional installation, plug-in devices that fit into a vehicle’s dashboards, RFID tags that can be attached to windscreens, or smartphone apps that can access a car’s milometer.

Insurers apply different parameters when determining if a vehicle is being driven safely, but most take into account how a motorist handles braking and turning, the time of day they drive as well as the type of road driven, their mileage, and the car’s speed.

They will then use the information gathered to assess a person’s driving performance and determine their driving score, which will be the basis of the motorist’s next insurance premiums.

Insurance companies often reward safe drivers in the form of premium discounts, refunds, and bonuses such as extra miles and retail vouchers.

Read more: How telematics is transforming the car insurance landscape

What factors do you need to consider before purchasing black box insurance?

Before taking out black box car insurance, experts advise motorists to consider a range of factors that can impact how suitable such policies are to their coverage needs. These are some aspects of telematics insurance that drivers need to be aware of, according to consumer financial advisory firm Forbes Advisor UK:

• Limits and restrictions: Some policies may impose curfews and have set charges or penalties for driving outside certain hours. Others may limit the number of miles a person can drive in a certain timeframe, which also comes with corresponding penalties.
• Extra charges: Some insurers charge fees for installing and removing black boxes. Charges also apply if the black box is transferred to a new vehicle or if a driver cancels the policy.
• Age restrictions: Some policies limit coverage to those within a certain age range.
• Benefits: Rewards for safe driving varies between insurance providers.
• Penalties: Penalties for risky driving behaviour also differ between insurers.

Read more: Safe is sexy: Survey shows what women find attractive in telematics insurance

What are the benefits of taking out black box car insurance?

On paper, a black box policy seems like “a much fairer system on calculating car insurance,” according to the consumer advocacy group Which? These are the other benefits of taking out telematics insurance:

• Reduced premiums for those who drive safely
• Suitable for motorists who fall into what insurers consider high-risk categories, such as new and young drivers
• Regular feedback helps improve driving skills
• Because black boxes also serve as tracking devices, they can help locate stolen vehicles
• Telematics can facilitate collision investigations as the technology can help identify what happened and who is at fault

What are the disadvantages of taking out black box insurance?

However, no technology is perfect and telematics insurance has its share of drawbacks, including:

• Privacy concerns as driving information is passed on to insurers
• Curfews may be imposed, which can affect drivers working until late at night
• May restrict how far one can drive, where they can drive to, and how many miles per year they do
• Can raise premiums of motorists with risky driving habits
• Extra charges, including installation, removal, or transfer of the black box
• Some drivers expressed frustration with having to constantly worry about how they drive knowing they are being tracked

Read more: Comedy show targets car insurer for malfunctioning black box

Which UK insurers offer black box car insurance?

There are several insurance companies that offer a range of black box auto policies for young and inexperienced drivers. The table below lists some of these insurers, along with the type of device they provide, what coverages they offer, and the frequency of when premiums are reviewed. All details are up to date as of June 2022.