If you’re a young or newly qualified driver looking for car insurance, you may have come across the term “black box insurance.”
While it’s commonly referred to as black box insurance, the type of cover we’re talking about is telematics insurance. A telematics policy uses a device fitted to your car to collect information about how the vehicle is driven.
So, what does a telematics device actually record, how does it work, and what does having one fitted mean for you?
Telematics insurance is one of several options that may be available when looking for young driver car insurance in Ireland. Here’s what you need to know.
What Is a Black Box?
A “black box” is the common name given to the telematics device fitted to the car as part of a telematics insurance policy.
The device records information about how the vehicle is driven, which can then be used to assess driving behaviour.
Depending on the telematics product, the device may record information such as:
- Speed
- Acceleration and braking
- Cornering
- The time of day you drive
- Journey length
- Driving frequency
- Mileage
The exact information recorded and how it is used will depend on the particular telematics policy.
How Does Telematics Insurance Work?
With telematics insurance, a device is fitted to the insured vehicle and records driving information while the car is being used.
This information can then be used as part of the insurance policy to assess driving behaviour.
With the current telematics product available through Dolmen Insurance Brokers, the device is fitted after the policy has been purchased. Installation is arranged following purchase, and the device is required to be fitted and activated within 14 days.
Customers can also access information about their driving through the AIG Rate My Driving portal.
3 Reasons a Young Driver Might Consider Telematics Insurance
Telematics insurance won’t necessarily be the right option for every driver, but there are several reasons why a young or newly qualified driver might consider it.
1. Another Insurance Option for Young Drivers
Finding suitable car insurance can sometimes be more difficult for younger or less experienced drivers.
Telematics provides another potential route to cover alongside more traditional young driver insurance options.
At Dolmen, telematics insurance is one of several young driver insurance options available through our insurer panel, subject to eligibility and underwriting criteria.
2. Greater Visibility of Your Driving
A telematics device records information about how the insured vehicle is being driven.
With the current AIG Boxclever product available through Dolmen, customers can also access their driving information through the AIG Rate My Driving portal.
This gives drivers greater visibility of the driving behaviour being recorded by the telematics device.
3. Telematics Doesn’t Always Mean Limited Mileage
You may associate telematics or “black box” insurance with restrictions on how far you can drive, but not every telematics policy operates in the same way.
Some telematics insurance policies operate using kilometre limits. However, the current telematics young driver option available through Dolmen offers unlimited kilometres from day one.
This may be particularly relevant for young drivers who regularly commute to work, college or training and don’t want to worry about a fixed annual kilometre allowance.
What Does a Black Box Monitor?
Exactly what a telematics device records will depend on the particular insurance product.
With the telematics option currently available through Dolmen, driving information can include:
- Speed
- Acceleration and braking
- Cornering
- The time of day you drive
- Journey length
- Driving frequency
- Mileage
Depending on the product, telematics technology can also provide additional functionality such as accident detection, providing additional information following an accident, assisting with the claims process and locating the vehicle if it is stolen.
It’s important to check the terms and conditions of the particular policy you’re considering so you understand what information is collected and how the telematics system operates.
Does Telematics Insurance Have a Mileage Limit?
Not necessarily.
Different telematics insurance products can have different mileage requirements, so having a telematics device fitted doesn’t automatically mean you’ll have a fixed annual kilometre limit.
The telematics young driver option currently available through Dolmen offers unlimited kilometres from day one. Pasted text
If mileage is particularly important to you, make sure you check any limits or conditions when comparing young driver insurance options.
What Happens After You Take Out a Telematics Policy?
The installation process will depend on the particular telematics provider and product.
For the current AIG Boxclever product available through Dolmen, installation of the telematics device is arranged after the insurance policy has been purchased.
The device is required to be fitted and activated within 14 days.
Once fitted, the device can begin recording the driving information relevant to the telematics policy. Customers can also access their driving information through the AIG Rate My Driving portal.
Is Telematics Insurance Only for Learner Drivers?
No. Telematics insurance isn’t necessarily limited to learner drivers.
Dolmen currently has young driver insurance options available for eligible drivers from 17 years of age, including drivers holding an Irish learner permit, full Irish driving licence or certain eligible EU licences. Pasted text
Whether a particular telematics policy is available to you will depend on your individual circumstances and the insurer’s eligibility and underwriting criteria.
Is Telematics Insurance Right for Me?
That will depend on your individual circumstances.
When considering a telematics policy, it’s worth understanding factors such as your mileage, how the telematics device operates, what driving information is collected and any conditions that apply to the policy.
Your age, driving experience, licence, vehicle and other individual circumstances can also affect the insurance options available to you.
Telematics insurance is just one possible option for young drivers. Comparing the options available can help you understand which type of policy may be suitable for your circumstances.
Looking for Young Driver Car Insurance in Ireland?
At Dolmen Insurance Brokers, we work with a panel of insurers to help young and first-time drivers explore the car insurance options available to them.
These include options for eligible learner drivers, newly qualified drivers and drivers taking out insurance on their first car, as well as telematics insurance with unlimited kilometres available through our current telematics product.
Our experienced Motor Team can explain the options available, including how telematics insurance works and the conditions that apply to your particular quotation.
If you’d like to find out more, you can request a callback from our team and we’ll get in touch, or you can visit our Young Driver Car Insurance page to learn more about the options available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a black box in a car?
A “black box” is a common term for a telematics device fitted to a vehicle. The device can record information about how the vehicle is driven, which can then be used as part of a telematics insurance policy.
Is black box insurance the same as telematics insurance?
“Black box insurance” is a term commonly used to describe a type of telematics insurance. At Dolmen, we refer to the insurance product as telematics insurance, with a telematics device fitted to the insured vehicle.
What does a black box record?
Depending on the product, a telematics device can record information such as speed, acceleration and braking, cornering, when you drive, journey length, driving frequency and mileage.
Does telematics insurance limit how much I can drive?
Not always. Some telematics products have mileage limits, while others operate differently. The current telematics young driver option available through Dolmen offers unlimited kilometres from day one.
Can learner drivers get telematics insurance?
Telematics options may be available to eligible learner drivers. One young driver product currently available through Dolmen accepts eligible drivers aged 17 or over with an Irish learner permit, full Irish licence or certain eligible EU licences, subject to the insurer’s acceptance and underwriting criteria.
How quickly does the telematics device need to be installed?
For the current AIG Boxclever product available through Dolmen, the device is required to be fitted and activated within 14 days of purchasing the policy.
