Brits view black-box as a step too far

Britain’s motorists would swerve to avoid big-brother-boxes fitted to their cars, even if it drove the cost of insurance down dramatically.

New research examines the attitude of the country’s motorists to the new concept of snooping devices which can be installed in vehicles to monitor driving habits with a view to insurers being able to reward careful drivers with lower premiums.

moneysupermarket.com’s report found the concept got the thumbs down from the majority of the country’s motorists.

The findings come as Norwich Union today announced it will launch pay-as-you-drive to all UK drivers and fit these devices to analyse how motorists drive. Safer drivers could potentially save money on their insurance. But according to moneysupermarket.com’s research, even the prospect of slashed insurance costs would not encourage British drivers to have their driving habits come under scrutiny. If offered up to 30 per cent off on insurance costs, less than one in ten (nine per cent) would be willing to have a black-box fitted. More than a quarter (27 per cent) said they wouldn’t even contemplate installing such a device in their car, no matter how much it could save them on motor insurance.

Instead, Brits want to halve their insurance costs before they even consider trying out a black box, with a fifth (20 per cent) saying they want their cover slashed by at least 50 per cent before their civil liberties are denied and driving habits made public to insurers.

Richard Mason, director of insurance at moneysupermarket.com, said: “With the potential savings that can be made to the cost of insurance, I think there is no doubt that pay-as-you-drive insurance schemes and black-box technology will be a big part of the motoring future. However, it is evident that some drivers will need time to get used to these ‘Big Brother’ tactics. Our research shows that insurers could face the cold shoulder from the driving public as long as there is a significant number of motorists who feel they will never install this device in their cars.

“It is highly likely that black-box technology and pay-as-you-drive policies will reduce insurance costs for safe drivers as premiums will not be artificially inflated to cover others’ bad driving.

“However, it seems that drivers are still reticent over this new technology, illustrating a need for insurance companies to educate British drivers. Norwich Union has confirmed its commitment to all drivers today, several firms are continuing to trial these schemes and I am confident that others will follow suit shortly.”

The technology contained within the black-box will enable insurance companies to monitor driving habits, including how fast people drive, how fast they take corners, where they drive and the times of day they use their cars. With certain schemes, it will also be possible for the motorist’s driving profile to be viewed on the internet, potentially allowing parents to check their children’s driving. Schemes, such as the More Th> n DriveTime policy, can reduce customers’ insurance premiums if they agree not to drive during the night, but this is not to be confused with true pay-as-you-drive, where the insurance cost can go up or down dependent on your driving behaviour.

Mason continued: “With more insurers trialling cutting edge methods of selling insurance, British motorists will have to face up to insurers scrutinising their driving patterns. However, for sensible drivers, this should present no problem at all, and will reward them with cheaper premiums.”