How I learned to stop/start worrying and love/hate the Black box

05/07/2018 | KELSEY VANNER

Those of you blissfully unaware that aeroplanes are not the only vehicles to carry black boxes are most likely experienced drivers unaffected by eye-watering car insurance prices.

However, if you are a young driver or a new driver like myself, you may be all too familiar with the staggering insurance costs that push you towards installing a telematic 'black box' into your car so that you don’t break the bank.

How it works is similar to that of an aeroplane black box. It is a small device that records your movements and is normally located under the dashboard, recording data such as speed, acceleration, breaking, distance travelled and what time of day you are driving. The data helps insurance companies decide how much they should charge you. Many black box insurance deals even have curfews such as 9 or 10pm.

For example, if you drive safely and drive fewer miles in the daytime you will see a decrease in the cost of your insurance or an increase if you drive long distances at night - you get the picture.

Why would want this in your car? Since insurance is calculated by general risk data, young and new drivers are charged the highest as they are statistically more likely to be involved in an accident.

In my case the cheapest insurance I could find for my Ford KA Zetec at 18 years old was £1,593 per year with an excess of £650 or £2,198 per year with an excess of £350, which to put in perspective, is more than the average car insurance cost for a Rolls-Royce. understandably, I felt slightly ripped off.

However, with the black box my insurance went down to £1,467 with an excess of £150 which although is not cheap it was a start. I noticed that the black box did make me a safer driver, preventing the temptation of speeding in a hurry as I was unable to separate in my mind the increase of speed from the increase of my car insurance.

I stayed driving how we were all initially taught to drive in driving lessons, whereas, for majority of road users ironically the rules of the road no longer apply once you start driving. Despite other road users being aggravated at you by selfishly following the speed limit (shock, horror) it is definitely worth the aggro as this little device saved me £879 on my next year’s insurance.

Over the course of the year I have developed a love-hate relationship with my black box, I love it but everyone else hates me for it. So if you are a new or young driver and do not mind heavy restrictions and invasion of your privacy then I would definitely recommend getting a black box (although I expect you probably will have no choice anyway).

Cheat Sheet (with apologies to the Guardian's Pass Notes)

Name: black box

Appearance: small, black, hidden under your dashboard so it can spy on you

Spy on me?? ?What about my privacy: well if you’re a young or new driver privacy is the least of your concerns

What could teenagers possibly have to worry about?: More than you think, car insurance prices are most expensive for them reaching the thousands as they are statistically most likely to be involved in an accident. The best insurance poor Kelsey could find for her Ford KA Zectec was between £1,593 and £2,198

So how does a black box help with this?: The device builds your profile for car insurance companies to see, recording your movements such as speed, acceleration, breaking, distance travelled and what time of day you’re driving, if you drive safe or less miles in the daytime for example you will be rewarded with a cheaper insurance premium.

Yeah I get the spying thing now, very big-brother-like: indeed some black box insurance even have curfews like 9 and 10pm

YES! No more teenagers out at night! I mean… oh what a shame: its not all bad though, if you comply with the rules and what you agreed in your insurance contract, you are able to save as much as £1,000 on your next year’s insurance.

Seems worth it then: Yes, if you’re looking to not spend thousands on car insurance you probably don’t have when you’re young it’s definitely worth it. However, not if you drive what is considered as unsafe or drive long miles, in fact you could see an increase in your insurance.

Oh…: yeah it only works for some, but in general it’s a fair and cheaper way to be charged for car insurance

Do say: 'It’s a money saver'

Don’t say: 'Goodbye freedom!'

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

UGO bus Coordinator

£26357.00 - £31008.00 per annum + pension
UGO bus CoordinatorPermanent, Full Time£26,357 to £31,008 per annumLocation
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Head of Highways Contracts & Network

£81,803 progressing to £90,664 per annum
This role is fundamental to the success of the Highways Service. Hertfordshire
Recruiter: Hertfordshire County Council

Senior Civil Engineer - Major Projects x 4

£45,894.00 - £54,952.00
We are looking for experienced engineers to help us progress a number of key projects and programmes Glasgow, Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Technician - Maintenance

£31001.0000 - £36471.0000 per annum
Essex Highways is responsible for managing and maintaining one of the largest highway networks in the country
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Highways Contract Engineer

£46,731 - £49,764
The team helps provide a safe road network that operates efficiently and effectively.  Northamptonshire
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council

Principal Transport Planner

£46,731 - £49,764 (pro-rata)
We are looking for an experienced professional to join us on a six-month temporary contact as a Principal Transport Planner. Kettering, Northamptonshire
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council

Highways Maintenance Operative

£Competitive
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Highways Maintenance Operative Broughton, Brigg
Recruiter: Amey

Head of Highways Contracts & Network

£81,803 progressing to £90,664 per annum
The team includes approximately 60 directly employed HCC people Hertfordshire
Recruiter: Hertfordshire County Council

Principal Construction Manager

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Principal Construction Manager Yorkshire and the Humber
Recruiter: Amey

Quality Technician

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Quality Technician Yorkshire and the Humber
Recruiter: Amey

Senior Highway Engineer (Development Management)

£42679.0000 - £50211.0000 per annum
Senior Highway Engineer (Development Management)Permanent, Full Time£43,960 to £51,718 per annum*Location
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Project Manager (Major Projects)

£44,711 - £47,754
Are you an experienced project professional or engineer with looking to take the next step in your career? Halifax, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council

Senior Civil Engineer - Roads

£45,894 - £54,952
Are you an experienced engineer looking to support the Scottish Government’s national objectives. Scotland
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Project Team Manager

£55,147 to £60,676 per annum
We are pleased to be able to offer an opportunity for a role as Design Team Manager Norwich, Norfolk
Recruiter: Norfolk County Council

Clerk of Works

GRADE 08 (£37,938 - £41,511)
Warrington is one of the most successful towns in the country Warrington, Cheshire
Recruiter: Warrington Borough Council

Assistant Projects Engineer

GRADE 06 (£29,093 - £32,654),GRADE 07 (£33,366 - £37,035), GRADE 08 (£37,938 - £41,511)
Warrington is one of the most successful towns in the country Warrington, Cheshire
Recruiter: Warrington Borough Council

Principal Engineer - Traffic Management

£45,718 - £48,710 per annum
At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve people’s lives. Bath, Somerset
Recruiter: Bath & North East Somerset Council

Vehicle Technician - Improver

£28,624 - £30,060
Transport Services is responsible for all aspects of transport and related services Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Programme Delivery Office Administrator

Grade 9 £31,344 - £33,253 per annum
At Derbyshire, we have been on a journey to transform the way we deliver highway services to make them fit for the future Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Support Officer - Highways Asset Management Systems

£31,586 - £34,314
We are a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to maintaining and improving our highway infrastructure. Lincolnshire
Recruiter: Lincolnshire County Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW