Are telematic boxes in cars worth it?

Jlawson118

Firstly, I'd like to apologise if I'm on the wrong thread for this, but I just want to do a little research into this.
I'm 19 and will be 20 in July and today I passed my driving test first time. I've been looking at cars and insurance for a few years now just to generally get an estimate of how much I would be paying when the day comes and as many of you will know, the insurance is not cheap..

I've always said that I don't want a black box because I want my privacy. I want to go out and drive whenever I like without a curfew or feeling restricted to drive my own car! But as well as that, a friend once told me that his friend got fined by her insurance company for breaking heavily to avoid running somebody over who walked in front of her car in the city centre.

However, I do have another friend who had a box for his first year and he never had any trouble with it. He just tells me you have to find the right service.. But I get worried that I might make a mistake when I'm driving by accident. Like turn around a corner too fast or break heavily by accident, or like my friend's friend, somebody walks out in front of me and I have to break? And then most have curfews..I'm a student but what if I get a job and start working late at night? Or work night shifts some time?

Are these boxes really worth it? Any of your own stories?

GingerBob_3

Jlawson118 wrote: »

Firstly, I'd like to apologise if I'm on the wrong thread for this, but I just want to do a little research into this.
I'm 19 and will be 20 in July and today I passed my driving test first time. I've been looking at cars and insurance for a few years now just to generally get an estimate of how much I would be paying when the day comes and as many of you will know, the insurance is not cheap..

I've always said that I don't want a black box because I want my privacy. I want to go out and drive whenever I like without a curfew or feeling restricted to drive my own car! But as well as that, a friend once told me that his friend got fined by her insurance company for breaking heavily to avoid running somebody over who walked in front of her car in the city centre.

However, I do have another friend who had a box for his first year and he never had any trouble with it. He just tells me you have to find the right service.. But I get worried that I might make a mistake when I'm driving by accident. Like turn around a corner too fast or break heavily by accident, or like my friend's friend, somebody walks out in front of me and I have to break? And then most have curfews..I'm a student but what if I get a job and start working late at night? Or work night shifts some time?

Are these boxes really worth it? Any of your own stories?

Do whatever you can to avoid getting one. They are the thin end of the wedge, and before you know it, they will be compulsory for everyone. They are a potential privacy nightmare of epic proportions.

Jlawson118

GingerBob wrote: »

Do whatever you can to avoid getting one. They are the thin end of the wedge, and before you know it, they will be compulsory for everyone. They are a potential privacy nightmare of epic proportions.

My driving instructor told me that one day it'll be compulsory for everyone. I really hope not. I mean yes, it'll encourage safer driving and catch those who don't drive safely, but it also invades privacy, yet they make out it's handy in case of theft..

GingerBob_3

Jlawson118 wrote: »

My driving instructor told me that one day it'll be compulsory for everyone. I really hope not. I mean yes, it'll encourage safer driving and catch those who don't drive safely, but it also invades privacy, yet they make out it's handy in case of theft..

I sincerely hope your driving instructor is wrong, but with the "nothing to hide" mentality prevalent in Britain today, it's on the cards, long term. Only by reacting strongly against such abominations can we hope to do anything about it. If you find a policy that doesn't insist on this type surveillance, make sure you tell the purveyors of this obnoxious technology why you're not giving them your business.


Unfortunately, at your age I fear you may have no alternative, but ditch it as soon as you can. Do a thorough search on the comparison sites (using bogus, but realistic, data to start with, and only enter the genuine stuff, direct to the company website, when you've settled on a product) and you may just find something suitable. Good luck.