Guides / Discounts
Telematics and usage-based insurance
How driving-tracking programs work, what they measure and the privacy questions to ask.
Telematics programs use a phone app or plug-in device to track how you drive. Safe drivers may earn a discount; in some programs, risky driving can raise your rate.
What they often measure
- Hard braking and rapid acceleration
- Speed
- Time of day you drive
- Miles driven
- Phone use while driving
Questions to ask first
- Can my rate go up, or only down?
- How long is the tracking period?
- What data is collected, how long is it kept and who is it shared with?
- Can I leave the program, and what happens to my discount if I do?
Educational information, not insurance advice. Discounts and rules vary by state and insurer; ask your insurer about your policy. Secure Motors is not an insurer, agent or broker and takes no commissions.