Today we are talking about telematics, which is a fancy way of saying driving data. Telematics are used by insurance carriers to help assess a driver’s risk, which allows carriers to potentially adjust premiums based on real-time data and not just estimates.

Why is this important? So glad you asked. Telematics track driving habits such as the times of day you drive, the miles you drive, any fast acceleration or quick breaking. Good driving habits are not only beneficial for your safety and the safety of those around you, but they can also lead to savings on your premiums. We all know an icky driving record can lead to higher premiums.

Using telematics, your good driving data can lead to lower rates. Most carriers will also start off with a discount just for adding telematics to your policy. Some carriers have devices that plug right into your car while others have an app that tracks your driving data.

As with many things in life, you do have to work a bit before you could potentially start seeing discounts on your premium. The standard “monitoring” program is generally conducted over a period of time (at minimum 80 days) to get a good read on a person’s driving habits. Some newer vehicles come pre equipped with built-in telematic systems that can be converted right onto a person’s policy without having to enroll in the carrier’s telematics program. Pretty neat!

To wrap up, here’s a quick list of some of the perks of using telematics:
Savings on your premium! Get rewarded for your good driving habits with a more “personalized rate” that is a direct result of your driving.

Safety! Telematics will highlight areas where you may need to improve your driving. Maybe you frequently find yourself breaking quickly or are an easily distracted driver. The apps used by carriers may even flag certain driving behaviors as risky, such as looking at your phone while driving!

Seeing the data is a helpful reminder to discourage risky behavior that can be dangerous to you and those around you. It’s also an easy way to monitor any young drivers you may have…especially when it comes time for curfew! 😉

As with anything, always talk to your local Burke and Burke agent. We are here to help guide you! Give us a call today or visit us online, our customer portal is available to you 24/7. And just remember, there’s better coverage behind our shield!

We’d be happy to review your insurance coverage options with you! Give us a call at (703) 751-1001 or visit https://burkeandburkeinsurance.com/.