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Progressive Offers Discounts to Drivers Who Install 'Snapshot' Monitoring Device

by Terrence O'Brien on December 14, 2010 at 09:20 AM

Progressive Snapshot
Progressive wants to save its customers some money using a unique, and slightly creepy, program called "Snapshot." Only available to New York City drivers during the initial phase, the program allows drivers to save up to 30-percent on their premiums. To find out if they're eligible, drivers will have to plug a device into the diagnostics port on their car, and leave it there for 30 days while it sends data back to Progressive about their driving habits. The tiny device tracks only basic info such as: when you drive, for how long you drive, and how smoothly you brake. If you drive less often, and primarily during times of the day when accidents are less likely to happen (i.e., not rush hour), then Progressive may offer steep discounts on your insurance.

Plugging a device into your car to let your insurance company track your driving habits may bother some who put a high priority on their privacy. Still, know that the Snapshot device doesn't have a GPS, and can't track where you drive or where you're parked -- only when you're driving. It's up to you to decide whether or not 30-percent is enough to let your insurance company track you.

Tags: car, cartech, insurance, privacy, progressive, snapshot, top, transportation

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