Hastings Direct demand for location data via their app

MeteredOut

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82097421#Comment_82097421

Insurerers aren't likely to be interested in individual numbers - they will be using the aggregated data (both aggregated across an individual and aggregated across everyone). If you really believe they are not using (or selling) the data, then fine, but you calling it tosh does not mean they aren't using it.

Mildly_Miffed

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82097746#Comment_82097746

Aggregating across their entire pool of policyholders is not even remotely useful for telematics for an individual's black-box policy…

Nor is any data that is unidentifiable as to whether the policyholder's phone is in the car or on a train, plane, etc.

Bendo

Good job it's not a telematic policy then isn't it. I just switched to a Model Y and I did test out the acceleration a few times and likely exceeded the speed limit a few times in the first month of this policy with data collection on.

Given the terms were clear the data wouldn't impact my policy this year, if they give a daft renewal price, I'm not bothered, there are plenty of insurers out there.

MeteredOut

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82098409#Comment_82098409

Ok, you're correct, They introduced this just for laughs, not because they either use or sell the data.

EAB2

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82096740#Comment_82096740

Or buy 99 phones and make a fake traffic jam...

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/feb/03/berlin-artist-uses-99-phones-trick-google-maps-traffic-jam-alert

You could use this to stop people driving past your house if you lived on a rat run!

EAB2

Is there any requirement for it to be a phone app? Why not just install on an iPad? They claim all they want is location data

Herzlos

I assume it'd install on anything, but there'd be some data to identify the device and figure out it's not a phone. Either a device name, screen resolution or something.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82098409#Comment_82098409

If the telematics are any good they'll be able to figure out if you're on a plane or train, google maps has identified trains for years now.

Basically if you go to a train station or airport for a while, and then suddenly launch up to higher speeds along a train line or coast then you're almost certainly not driving.

What it has absolutely no way of identifying though, what car a car journey is in or who's driving it. They can assume the policy holder has their phone with them but that's about it. The difficulty comes when they try to use that data to refuse a claim or increase premiums, and you need to prove you weren't driving.