Alabama drivers can monitor driving habits for insurance rates
State’s drivers can monitor driving habits with black box’ for insurance rates
State’s drivers can monitor driving habits with black box’ for insurance rates
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
STAN DIEL
Alabama is among the first states in the nation where an auto insurance company is rolling out a new technology that has privacy advocates concerned.
Progressive Insurance Co. last month began offering Alabama customers a “black box” that records information, including when a car is driven and its speed and mileage, and transmits the information back to the insurer.
For $5 a month, customers can get the optional device, which is smaller than a pack of cigarettes, plugs in under the dash and sends data to the insurance company via a cellular connection. Those who drive little or who have good defensive driving habits will get lower rates, the company says.