[roadcarver]

After seeing a televison commercial about Progressive insurance company's snapshot program I researched it further. On Progressive's website they claim they only look at hard braking episodes, miles driven, and amount of time one spends driving from 12 to 4am. However, further research indicates that they also monitor speed and hard accelerations. They claim that the data will not raise anyone's insurance rates but I find any collection of this type of data disturbing. I feel it is a very slippery slope which I fear could result in all insurance companies requiring this kind of data collection of our driving habits in the future. This could also in the distant future be required for all of us by state automobile registration departments for law enforcement purposes. I would suggest everyone to completely reject any programs such as this as I think it is possible this is a trial balloon for much more invasive monitoring in the future. I find it interesting that yes, I do sometimes drive over the speed limit in a spirited but responsible manner, however, in over 29 years of driving my record is clean. This is due to the fact that I take pride in my driving and never text, talk on the phone, or eat while driving. I am always very aware of all cars around me along with the entire situation, while other slow drivers are over the yellow line around blind corners, leaning down in the floorboard, texting, or just plain stupid drivers with no attention span. Until Progressive can moniter that more effectively, they can, well you get the message.

[TheTal0n]

I wasnt interested in it. Im not a conspiracy wierdo or anything. but i like my privacy. Everyone likes to speed sometimes.

[ttribe]

Originally Posted by roadcarver

I feel it is a very slippery slope which I fear could result in all insurance companies requiring this kind of data collection of our driving habits in the future.

This. Totally agree.

[techwhiz]

Not letting any entity track me in my car like that.
I find it disturbing, but I don't have Progressive.
I dumped them for bike insurance when they wanted almost $1K a year for my bike with no accidents on my record.

[John 070]

Well with that we have a choice. There's a lot where we don't. Virtually everyone is carrying a 1080p camcorder in their pocket now. You can't be a Cleveland bus driver minding your own business, no, you're gonna lose your job thanks to one of those.

Also, red light cams, speed cams, and now stop sign cams. Following rules and laws will be the norm someday soon, not the exception. You think On*Star and BMW Assist stop collecting data when the subscription runs out?

All the stunts we pulled in HS and college, hs and college kids can't do those things anymore. Their loss.

[GChase]

Originally Posted by John 070

Well with that we have a choice. There's a lot where we don't. Virtually everyone is carrying a 1080p camcorder in their pocket now. You can't be a Cleveland bus driver minding your own business, no, you're gonna lose your job thanks to one of those.

Also, red light cams, speed cams, and now stop sign cams. Following rules and laws will be the norm someday soon, not the exception. You think On*Star and BMW Assist stop collecting data when the subscription runs out?

All the stunts we pulled in HS and college, hs and college kids can't do those things anymore. Their loss.

As a HS kid, I can still pull those stunts
Not a single red light, speed, or stop sign cam within about 200 miles or so of where I live (Louisville). Not sure if it is because our city/cities around us can't afford them, or they just don't bother. I've heard of outside agencies putting them up and making a profit, not sure though.

Oh and also, I was totally confused when I went out to Seattle this past summer and saw they had stoplights on the accelerator ramps of interstates/freeways... Never had seen one before haha. And the region around me doesn't have carpool lanes.

Woah I digressed haha

[ndog14]

Only if they give me an HJ like everyone else that gets a ride in my car

[BOBKUR]

Originally Posted by roadcarver

After seeing a televison commercial about Progressive insurance company's snapshot program I researched it further. On Progressive's website they claim they only look at hard braking episodes, miles driven, and amount of time one spends driving from 12 to 4am. However, further research indicates that they also monitor speed and hard accelerations. They claim that the data will not raise anyone's insurance rates but I find any collection of this type of data disturbing. I feel it is a very slippery slope which I fear could result in all insurance companies requiring this kind of data collection of our driving habits in the future. This could also in the distant future be required for all of us by state automobile registration departments for law enforcement purposes. I would suggest everyone to completely reject any programs such as this as I think it is possible this is a trial balloon for much more invasive monitoring in the future. I find it interesting that yes, I do sometimes drive over the speed limit in a spirited but responsible manner, however, in over 29 years of driving my record is clean. This is due to the fact that I take pride in my driving and never text, talk on the phone, or eat while driving. I am always very aware of all cars around me along with the entire situation, while other slow drivers are over the yellow line around blind corners, leaning down in the floorboard, texting, or just plain stupid drivers with no attention span. Until Progressive can moniter that more effectively, they can, well you get the message.

Progressive only likes to collect premiums and not pay claims.

[See5]

Originally Posted by John 070

Well with that we have a choice. There's a lot where we don't. Virtually everyone is carrying a 1080p camcorder in their pocket now. You can't be a Cleveland bus driver minding your own business, no, you're gonna lose your job thanks to one of those.

Also, red light cams, speed cams, and now stop sign cams. Following rules and laws will be the norm someday soon, not the exception. You think On*Star and BMW Assist stop collecting data when the subscription runs out?

All the stunts we pulled in HS and college, hs and college kids can't do those things anymore. Their loss.

LMAOOOOOOO

[DSB335d]

I know that State Farm is rolling out with the same program in the near future. It's not mandatory so I don't see an issue with it. I see the obvious downsides to it, which is why I would never want one in any of my cars.

[galahad05]

Originally Posted by DSB335d

I know that State Farm is rolling out with the same program in the near future. It's not mandatory so I don't see an issue with it. I see the obvious downsides to it, which is why I would never want one in any of my cars.

Not yet it isn't. But what about when 3, then 4...then all the major insurance carriers have this? Then raise the rates across the board for anyone who doesn't have one of these? "What are you, a speeder? We have to assume you are since you refuse to use one of these. We're putting you in the high-risk pool if you don't."

I bet this will be the case within 5 years.

[gpb]

I dont like it. Even while optional, those who don't participate can potentially suffer from Adverse Selection; the idea that if you don't participate it must be because you drive recklessly and thus should pay more. Not today perhaps, but its a slippery slope.

[roadkillrob]

Another good reason to get a better insurance company!

[Doctor///M]

Wans't driving my car much earlier this year, so I enrolled. At the end I posted a review here. I ended up renewing at a similar premium (despite a huge discount) because the "state premiums went up during the period." Don't think I'll ever put myself through 6 months of that again though, but they now know that my driving habits are clean, which I don't mind them knowing. At the moment, they still continue to offer the lowest rate for me.

[secretsquirrel]

Or game the system and get it and drive like a grandma for 30 days. After they lower your rates,

But seriously, I agree about the privacy concerns. The data used from snapshot will be used to mold the insurance industry in the future.

[ChasVS]

Look, it won't be long before all vehicles MUST have sensors that are sent to whatever agency insures your vehicle. They'll be monitoring your activity and charging you as you drive. DMV will charge you by where, when and how often you go places and Cities will TAX you by the mile!

[Sara]

Originally Posted by ChasVS

Look, it won't be long before all vehicles MUST have sensors that are sent to whatever agency insures your vehicle. They'll be monitoring your activity and charging you as you drive. DMV will charge you by where, when and how often you go places and Cities will TAX you by the mile!

I better win the powerball lol.

[Sara]

I wonder how it would work for those of us that track our cars......

[gpb]

Originally Posted by DSB335d

It's not mandatory so I don't see an issue with it.

Couldn't resist:

First they came for the socialists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.

Then they came for me,
and there was no one left to speak for me

[Astephens94]

To be honest, I'm not worried about it. I'm sure when police started using radar people had these exact same discussions; and then they invented radar detectors!

I've got total faith that someone in the aftermarket will find a way around any new system mandated by the government -- whether it be a piggy back that tells progressive insurance bogis numbers or deactiviates it when you do "x" (fill in the blank); I've got complete faith in the aftermarket.

As for stop sign cameras; isn't that what we have high school kids and spray paint for??

[ChasVS]

Originally Posted by Astephens94

To be honest, I'm not worried about it. I'm sure when police started using radar people had these exact same discussions; and then they invented radar detectors!

I've got total faith that someone in the aftermarket will find a way around any new system mandated by the government -- whether it be a piggy back that tells progressive insurance bogis numbers or deactiviates it when you do "x" (fill in the blank); I've got complete faith in the aftermarket.

As for stop sign cameras; isn't that what we have high school kids and spray paint for??

The problem will be if and when you have an accident. They'll demand a download of your data before they pay up. All your fudged data sent to them will likely result in a no pay claim by them or a demand for back payment for what you should have been paying the based on your real driving behavior.

[PSEE]

HELLO?!?

Drive an E90? Heard about the black-box that's already in your car? No? Yes!!
There's already a device that gathers data in your car - and it can be accessed
and data downloaded from it.

Is everyone asleep???