171 Black Box?

What is a black box? Well, they have different names. Many companies will provide black boxes, but some call them telematics. Now you may be reading this thinking, oh my god can you just tell me what it is? Well okay, I’ll tell you. A black box is a device that records speed, distance and time and the insurance company can read the information. The device is roughly the size of a phone, and it is fitting in your car under the steering wheel or at least that’s where mine went. I couldn’t see it.

It is a good way of getting your insurance cheaper. If you drive responsibly and at reasonable times your insurance price will decrease in the following year. There are different boxes; some have a curfew, so you are only able to drive between certain times in the day for example 7-11. Both boxes I have had just watching my driving and reported back to my insurance company. I thought it would be annoying to have it at first and wasn’t happy about it but without it, my insurance was going to be about £3000 for 1 ridiculous year!

The price was about £1800 the first year, which is still expensive, but it was that or don’t have a car, so I took it with a pinch and dealt with it. I was very tight on money, but I don’t it without help which I was very happy about. When it comes to driving, the first year is the worst pricewise, be careful and if you can complete the first year then you are smooth sailing unless your car breaks down. My insurance now is around £700.

The boxes are known to have apps or websites where you can check the results yourself. It was helpful as it tells you your mileage each trip, each month and overall. I currently no longer have a black box, but I am finding it harder to keep track of my mileage and petrol just because it was easy at first.

The only issue I had is the speed limit, many road users do not do the speed limit and want to race down the road. When they are the drivers behind you it can be intimidating and scary when they are tailgating. There is no science on how to avoid this, all you can do is drive safely, and don’t let them speed you up. Leave the dangerous driving to them, if they want to try and get around you then find but you stick to your safe driving. Breaking earlier than is needed can help in a tailgating situation as they tend to leave more room, so they don’t hit you.

All that is left to say is Good Luck. Don’t be so down if you have a black box because it will help you out in the long run. Mine didn’t necessarily help me as I had to change companies. The first one was stopping their insurance covers and the second was terrible service.