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If you think you are an excellent driver and want your insurance policy to reflect that, then black box car insurance may be the right option for you.
But if you’ve ever searched for multiple black box insurance quotes and have become overwhelmed with the process, we totally understand!
That’s why SimplyQuote, in partnership with QuoteZone, offers an easy-to-use, free comparison tool to save the day. Search and compare numerous black-box insurance quotes in seconds – it couldn’t be simpler.
Forget the hassle and stress and find the best black box insurance deal the easy way!
What Do You Need To Get A Quote?
You’ll need to provide a bit of basic information before the platform can provide you with a black box insurance quote:
- Vehicle details such as registration number and whose name the car is insured in
- Personal details like your name, location, age and average mileage
- Your no-claims history
- Your driving history (including any licence points or unspent convictions)
- Named drivers (i.e. will anyone else be using the vehicle apart from you?)
Why Do You Need Black Box Insurance?
You’ll want black box insurance – also called telematics insurance – if you drive a vehicle in the UK, to complement your standard car insurance policy. Black box car insurance isn’t a legal requirement but it can benefit many young and old drivers.
You’ll often find that young drivers – who statistically get charged higher premiums – would benefit the most from telematics technology (a.k.a. black box). This is because they are deemed “higher risk” drivers by insurers due to their lack of driving experience.
Additionally, drivers with driving convictions can also benefit from a black box insurance policy as some insurers are reluctant to insure “bad” drivers and this technology may be an effective way around this hurdle.
Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of black box car insurance next.
Benefits of black box car insurance
- Improve your driving score when observing real-life telematics data.
- There’s a reduced risk of theft with black box technology as insurers can pinpoint the vehicle’s location.
- Black box technology can provide valuable information should you be involved in an accident, giving evidence of driving speed.
- You can save on your premiums if you do low mileage or only drive during off-peak times.
- This technology reassures insurance providers you are a safe, responsible driver.
Drawbacks of black box car insurance
- Some insurers may not be upfront about black box installation fees, resulting in unexpected once-off payments to the driver.
- Driving penalties such as driving through peak-hour traffic, late at night or going over your intended mileage limit can be a disadvantage.
- If you’re a bad driver, you’ll likely pay higher premiums based on the collected telematics data.
- Driving data is not transferrable, so if you have a great driving score with one insurer and decide to switch to a new one, the information cannot be carried over.
- False readings, like driving over speedbumps or around potholes can negatively impact your driving score when it isn’t your ‘fault’.
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How Does Black Box Car Insurance Work?
Black box insurance works by having a black box device installed in your car. Your insurance provider will professionally install the GPS device in your car or you can get a smaller app-linked device that you can install yourself. This device is typically installed behind your rearview mirror or dashboard.
It monitors your driving habits and regularly updates you (and insurers) on your driving score.
Essentially, black box car insurance works by tracking how well – or not so well – you drive. It’s a straightforward process, involving a few easy steps.
Get your black box installed
The most common type of telematics technology is a small GPS tracking device usually installed behind the dashboard. Alternatively, plug-in devices are also available.
Get your driver score
Your driving score will be generated based on how, when, how often and where you drive.
Get driving feedback
You can get instant feedback on your driving through your insurer’s app or website. You can improve your driving habits to save on premiums.
Pay lower premiums
When it comes to renewing your insurance policy the following year, your insurance provider will base your premiums on how well you drove previously and your premiums will be adjusted.
What Are The Rules For Black Box Car Insurance?
Generally, there are a few rules to follow when having telematics installed in your vehicle. If you follow them, you can pay lower car insurance premiums.
A few rules include:
- Sticking to the speed limit
- Accelerate gently
- Turn corners slowly
- Stay within your mileage limit
- Be wary of who drives your vehicle (as telematics can’t differentiate between drivers)
- Do not tamper with the black box
What Does Black Box Insurance Measure?
Telematics technology measures a whole lot of things, from how fast you drive, how you brake and where you do the most driving.
- Speed – measures how often you drive at high speeds (i.e. break the speed limit)
- Acceleration – how you accelerate
- Braking – how you apply brakes when driving (do you give the vehicle ample time to slow down or do you ‘slam on the brakes’?)
- Cornering – measures how fast or slow you go around corners
- Mobile phone use – the device can track how often you pick up your phone while driving or if you have a hands-free connection
- The time you drive – the device records what time of the day you drive, such as early morning, midday or late at night
- Motorway mileage – how often you drive on motorways
- Crash detection – black boxes can detect and log if you are in an accident
- Vehicle tracker – trace the location of your car
What Levels Of Black Box Insurance Can You Get?
There are three levels of telematics car insurance available in the UK:
Third-party only (TPO)
Third-party only is the bare minimum level of car insurance cover you need to legally drive on UK roads. It only covers costs in instances where third-party persons or vehicles have been injured or damaged. It does not cover any costs to you (the driver) or your car.
Third-party, fire and theft (TPFT)
TPFT is one step above TPO cover and will also cover costs if your vehicle is stolen or damaged by fire.
Fully comprehensive cover
Fully comp combines both of the above levels with the added benefit of covering your medical expenses (in the event of a collision), vehicle repairs, key replacement and windscreen damage.
Note: Some insurance providers may only offer TPO or fully comprehensive insurance as a standard.
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What Are The Types Of Black Box Insurance?
There are a few types of black box car insurance to choose from:
Young drivers insurance
Young drivers have difficulty getting affordable car insurance because they are labelled inexperienced and high-risk. This ultimately leads to them having to pay an excessive amount on insurance premiums which is not ideal.
You can eliminate this stress with this insurance type by knowing that your driver data will speak for itself without needing to prove that young drivers are driving safely.
The telematics data will indicate which areas you need to improve your driver score. This could encourage you to become a better driver and help you to continue driving safely.
Learner driver car insurance
Learning to drive is an exciting process, and one should not be burdened with having to worry about car insurance. You can install a black box device in the car you are learning to drive in (usually a parent’s car).
This short-term policy can be taken out for as little as two hours and up to 90 days.
It requires that learner drivers be in the car with an experienced or supervising driver (older than 25) with a full UK driver’s license. It is important to note that this insurance policy does not cover a driving instructor.
With this type of cover, learner drivers can track their driving scores and learn where they can improve.
Multi-car insurance
Multi-car insurance is best if you already have a car under a black box car insurance policy and are thinking about getting another car.
With this insurance type, you can register more than one car on the same insurance policy (provided they are at the same address). The advantage of getting multi-car insurance is that you will pay less for adding another car and is ideal for families with older kids still living at home.
Over 50’s
Black box insurers have identified that people over 50 are less likely to drive recklessly and follow safe driving practices. This means they will most likely benefit from black box policies as they could potentially have no extra cost added to their premium.
What Add-Ons Are Available For Black Box Insurance?
You can add as many extras to your black box car insurance policy as you’d like, such as breakdown cover, windscreen protection and courtesy vehicle cover.
Breakdown cover
With this add-on to your insurance cover, you’ll receive roadside assistance and won’t have to worry about being stranded should your car break down.
You will also benefit from:
- “Home start” cover – if your vehicle won’t start at home
- National recovery – you will receive transport to get home from wherever you broke down within the UK.
Windscreen protection
While this is generally included in most fully comprehensive plans, you can opt to add windscreen cover to TPO and TPFT plans. As the name suggests, windscreens that are damaged or broken will be repaired/replaced without you having to touch your wallet!
Courtesy car insurance
You may think that receiving a courtesy car when your car is in for repairs comes with every insurance cover, but it does not.
Having this add-on gives you peace of mind knowing that you have a supplementary vehicle on hand when you need it most.
EU cover
You’ll want to add EU cover to your policy if you often travel across the UK border, whether for business or pleasure. EU cover ensures you are sufficiently covered no matter where you drive.
How Much Does Telematics Insurance Cost?
Pricing for black box car insurance varies between different insurance providers and is dependent on which level of cover you opt for.
On average, you can expect to pay:
- £798 for third-party only (TPO) cover
- £958 for third-party fire and theft (TPFT) cover
- £756 for a fully comprehensive plan
Note: Vehicle make and model, UK location, and driver’s age will determine your final black box insurance cost.
What impacts telematics insurance prices?
- Age of the driver (i.e. young driver or over 50)
- Driving score
- UK location
- Vehicle type
- Mileage
- Claims history
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How To Get Cheaper Black Box Insurance Rates?
While black box devices should already benefit drivers with lower insurance premiums based on their driving, there are additional ways to reduce sky-high premiums:
- Improve driving habits by being more aware of how you drive (i.e. pay attention to the black box data)
- Drive fewer miles
- Be a responsible, safe driver
- Stick to the speed limit
- Ensure your vehicle is parked safely when not in use, such as in a private driveway or garage
- Do not let uninsured persons (or inexperienced drivers) drive your vehicle
- Avoid peak-hour driving (if possible)
- Opt for a cheaper vehicle model
- Reduce claims discount
- Abide by black box insurance rules
How To Compare Black Box Insurance Quotes at SimplyQuote.co.uk
Easily compare multiple black box insurance quotes at SimplyQuote.co.uk:
- Fill in a short questionnaire: Provide details about your vehicle, location and age.
- Choose your policy add-ons: Select which add-ons you would like to include.
- Compare quotes: Easily find a black box quote via SimplyQuote.
- Save money: Get the best deal (almost) instantly!
Frequently Asked Questions
Black box car insurance, also known as telematics insurance, is when insurance providers monitor your driving habits to calculate your insurance premium via the black box device.
A standard black box policy typically lasts one year (12 months).
A professionally fitted black box device is typically installed behind the rearview mirror or dashboard, but plug-in devices (fitted into the cigarette lighter outlet) are also available.
Generally, black box insurance won’t penalise you for where you drive, but more on how you drive.
You can access your telematics driving data through your insurance provider’s app or website when logging into your profile.
Any vehicle used for personal use is covered with telematics insurance, no matter if you drive a Vauxhall, Audi or Mercedes.