Coverage Car Insurance Quote Utah - Here's how it works - You plug in a little gizmo just under the steering wheel of your car (or use On-Star) and it starts tracking your driving habits, such as speed and mileage. Then, all of that information goes to the insurance company which, based on a month or so of data, spits out your insurance premiums. It's all optional, but insurance companies say there may be double-digit discounts for those who participate
A million drivers nationally have signed up for Progressive's Snapshot program and about two-thirds are getting a discount, said Dave Pratt, Progressive's general manager for usage-based insurance. Pratt said since Snapshot rolled out in 2010, they've collected 6 billion miles worth of information, but he assured that the data is secure.
"Having a pay-as-you-go option makes it easier for companies to segregate light users from heavy users and then charge heavy users more," Mishna said. "In addition, it gives people the freedom to use the service as much or as little as they want, which might be appreciated by consumers who won't feel that they have been forced into a specific usage level."
How it's working in Utah • So far, only a handful of Utah's top auto insurers are offering usage-based premium programs, and the data tracked varies from company to company. For instance, the state's largest auto insurer, State Farm, uses On-Star to record miles driven, acceleration, braking, right and left turns, speeding over 80 mph and the time of day the vehicle was driven.
"It's a program that helps us better match price to risk, and that's a good thing for our customers," said Thorpe. "This discount program tends to inspire State Farm customers to drive fewer miles, which has a positive impact on auto safety, roadway congestion, the cost of vehicle operations and the environment."
The usage-based trend • Consulting firm Towers Watson calls usage-based insurance an "auto insurance revolution." But the pay-as-you-use model is nothing new in consumer products, with the cell phone market leading the way. Himanshu Mishna, a University of Utah professor who studies consumer behavior, said user-based pricing benefits both businesses and consumers.
"We know from research that when there is a goal, people work hard to achieve it," Mishna said. "It is possible that such devices may not yield high discounts for some people, but it will have an influence on their driving behavior."
"When we use a loyalty or discount card at any grocery store, we are giving up our purchase history for a 1 or 2 percent discount," he said. "If you buy diapers, they will mail you coupons for baby foods and baby soaps. So if you look around, we are already selling our privacy for small discounts."
This is only a general description of coverages of the available types of insurance and is not a state of contract. Details of coverage, limits, or services may vary in some states. All coverages are subject to the terms, provisions, exclusions, and conditions in the policy itself and in any endorsements.
This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
"Just knowing that I'm eligible for a discount, it makes me want to keep getting that discount," Ware said. "If I'm being rewarded, it makes me be more of a conscious and cautious driver."
"It's showing that I'm eligible for a 17 percent discount and she's showing a 2 percent discount" for slamming on the brakes a bit too often, he said.
Allstate won't introduce its DriveWise program into the Utah market until mid-year. But in the 10 states where DriveWise is now available, Allstate spokeswoman Chelci Vaughan said the average customer is getting 14 percent off their insurance premiums.
Is monitored driving safer? • Some drivers may find having their speeding, braking and driving recorded off-putting. But studies shows others are motivated by it, said Mishna, the U. business professor.
State Farm corporate spokeswoman Angela Thorpe said their Drive Safe and Save (DSS) program has been available to Utah customers since last March and their customers can save up to 50 percent.
So how about adding a device that monitors how you drive? And how much privacy would you give up for a discount on your auto insurance?
Like any combo, your home and auto insurance policies belong together. Whatever your insurance coverage needs are, we're Here to help life go right®. Get a quote or talk to an agent.
Ware installed Allstate's DriveWise device in his two cars in December and it's been tracking the couple's driving habits ever since.
"We only use the data to calculate the discounts. We don't sell it," he said, noting the company has a special privacy policy in place. He also said early versions of Snapshot tracked where drivers were going, but objections from customers pushed the company to remove GPS from the program.
A million drivers nationally have signed up for Progressive's Snapshot program and about two-thirds are getting a discount, said Dave Pratt, Progressive's general manager for usage-based insurance. Pratt said since Snapshot rolled out in 2010, they've collected 6 billion miles worth of information, but he assured that the data is secure.
"Having a pay-as-you-go option makes it easier for companies to segregate light users from heavy users and then charge heavy users more," Mishna said. "In addition, it gives people the freedom to use the service as much or as little as they want, which might be appreciated by consumers who won't feel that they have been forced into a specific usage level."
How it's working in Utah • So far, only a handful of Utah's top auto insurers are offering usage-based premium programs, and the data tracked varies from company to company. For instance, the state's largest auto insurer, State Farm, uses On-Star to record miles driven, acceleration, braking, right and left turns, speeding over 80 mph and the time of day the vehicle was driven.
"It's a program that helps us better match price to risk, and that's a good thing for our customers," said Thorpe. "This discount program tends to inspire State Farm customers to drive fewer miles, which has a positive impact on auto safety, roadway congestion, the cost of vehicle operations and the environment."
The usage-based trend • Consulting firm Towers Watson calls usage-based insurance an "auto insurance revolution." But the pay-as-you-use model is nothing new in consumer products, with the cell phone market leading the way. Himanshu Mishna, a University of Utah professor who studies consumer behavior, said user-based pricing benefits both businesses and consumers.
"We know from research that when there is a goal, people work hard to achieve it," Mishna said. "It is possible that such devices may not yield high discounts for some people, but it will have an influence on their driving behavior."
"When we use a loyalty or discount card at any grocery store, we are giving up our purchase history for a 1 or 2 percent discount," he said. "If you buy diapers, they will mail you coupons for baby foods and baby soaps. So if you look around, we are already selling our privacy for small discounts."
This is only a general description of coverages of the available types of insurance and is not a state of contract. Details of coverage, limits, or services may vary in some states. All coverages are subject to the terms, provisions, exclusions, and conditions in the policy itself and in any endorsements.
This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
"Just knowing that I'm eligible for a discount, it makes me want to keep getting that discount," Ware said. "If I'm being rewarded, it makes me be more of a conscious and cautious driver."
"It's showing that I'm eligible for a 17 percent discount and she's showing a 2 percent discount" for slamming on the brakes a bit too often, he said.
Allstate won't introduce its DriveWise program into the Utah market until mid-year. But in the 10 states where DriveWise is now available, Allstate spokeswoman Chelci Vaughan said the average customer is getting 14 percent off their insurance premiums.
Is monitored driving safer? • Some drivers may find having their speeding, braking and driving recorded off-putting. But studies shows others are motivated by it, said Mishna, the U. business professor.
State Farm corporate spokeswoman Angela Thorpe said their Drive Safe and Save (DSS) program has been available to Utah customers since last March and their customers can save up to 50 percent.
So how about adding a device that monitors how you drive? And how much privacy would you give up for a discount on your auto insurance?
Like any combo, your home and auto insurance policies belong together. Whatever your insurance coverage needs are, we're Here to help life go right®. Get a quote or talk to an agent.
Ware installed Allstate's DriveWise device in his two cars in December and it's been tracking the couple's driving habits ever since.
"We only use the data to calculate the discounts. We don't sell it," he said, noting the company has a special privacy policy in place. He also said early versions of Snapshot tracked where drivers were going, but objections from customers pushed the company to remove GPS from the program.