Cheaper insurance on the way?
But only if you buy a Road Angel system
Road Angel
On 1 February, insurance broker yesinsurance.co.uk will start what it called the UK's first full-scale test of the benefits of an in-car safety camera and accident blackspot warning system.
The company said it'll gather statistics that compare the accident records of motorists who have a Road Angel warning system in their car with a base group of motorists who do not.
If the research indicates that Road Angel users are safer drivers and better insurance risks, the company said it hopes to be able to offer them lower premiums in the future.
But here's the catch: to help build up a valid base for the test, drivers who take out motor insurance with yesinsurance.co.uk will be offered £75 off any Road Angel product. This means that the basic Road Angel Compact unit, which is usually £150, will be provided at half price.
Road Angels warn of fixed speed cameras, accident blackspots and primary schools, and provide a GPS-accurate speedometer.
A number of models which will be available under the scheme also include a satellite navigation system.
Research involving a 1 million mile fleet test has so far indicated that business drivers using Road Angel have 50 pr cent fewer accidents and are around 70 per cent less likely to receive endorsements on their licence.
"Because of its scale, the project which we are now embarking on will be a much more definitive test of the effectiveness of the system," said Paul Purdy, of yesinsurance.co.uk.
He company said it believes that drivers who use a Road Angel system are made more aware of their surroundings, particularly in areas where accidents are more likely, and are therefore less likely to have an accident, and less likely to receive fines or points on their licence.
The system has received support from the police, some of whom use the system themselves, it hasn't yet been tested from an insurance perspective, reckoned the company.
"This is the first time an insurer has put such a system to the test and the procedures we are putting in place with our sister company, Provident Insurance, will be able to give a specific measurement of the overall effect that use of the Road Angel product has on driving and accidents," said Purdy.
"The warning system is designed to increase driver awareness, particularly where accident blackspots, schools and areas where drivers are tempted to speed are concerned.
"Anecdotal evidence also suggests that, in addition to encouraging drivers to slow down, the system has a long-term effect on driver psychology, making motorists more aware of dangers on the road and helping to alter their driving style accordingly. Our research project will also be investigating this area," he said.
yesinsurance.co.uk is an offshoot of Provident Insurance plc.
Or will Road Angel 2 have the ability to send a signal back to your insurance company to let them know that you're complying with their rules that you need to have it turned on in the car.
Well, duh! What's surprising is that 30% of people who are warned explicitly of the presence of a camera still get pinged.
Well, duh! What's surprising is that 30% of people who are warned explicitly of the presence of a camera still get pinged.
No system has all the mobile sites. And even observant drivers sometimes find themselves distracted and marginally over the limit. I don't think it's fair to criticise the drivers or the Road Angel.
Well, duh! What's surprising is that 30% of people who are warned explicitly of the presence of a camera still get pinged.
No system has all the mobile sites. And even observant drivers sometimes find themselves distracted and marginally over the limit. I don't think it's fair to criticise the drivers or the Road Angel.
yeah, I know - but it sounds good...
JJ
Hi JJ,
Cos that's who they've signed the commercial marketing deal with. Running stats on those clients who sign up and take a £75 voucher (already factored into your quote
, same as in an interest free credit deal) is just an irrelevance and will be done one Friday afternoon in a year or so's time if someone a)Remembers this marketing campaign and b) If a photocopyist has a spare 5 mins. You are dealing with the world of marketing and spin. You get nothing for free and this is just a story to promote two specific companies' products. The 'cheaper insurance' angle has been designed to ensure that the media will advertise the promotion for free, rather than the companies having to take out FCS.
Oooh, I'm such a non believer
Mike
Totally agree. Don't want to sound too much like a pesamist, because I'm all for sensible road safety measures, but what is to stop the unit storing or sending the data back to a database in the insurance firm. I can imagine it now.... "so sir, last Tuesday you were observed travelling at 31mph in a 30mph zone. We'll have to up your premium to reflect your dangerous driving as you are proven to be a greater driving risk....etc". As far as I can see it is just one more advancement towards the Big Brother state
. My theory is that a large proportion of those who buy them (self included) take their driving more seriously than most and are more observant at the wheel, with or without a camera detector. In short, on average they're better drivers.
How many times have you spotted a camera and braked to 30 in a 40 'cos you're not sure?
- probably causing the car behind to brake suddenly..ditto..ditto until there is an accident which then helps justify a black spot camera...... doh
Sploosh
Interesting...and continuing your point, it would be fair to assume that all the joy riding numpties will then buy one of the units thinking they'll get lower premiums and, once lured in, will continue to have their accidents because the RoadAngel doesn't prevent reckless driving and showing off. Hence, the statistics will show that the RoadAngel does in fact make feck-all difference and thus the premiums will go back up - probably more in order to claw back the cost of the experiment.
Now that is being sceptical!
"Hey, lets see how high we can get the GPS-speedo to go!!!"
My theory is that a large proportion of those who buy them (self included) take their driving more seriously than most and are more observant at the wheel, with or without a camera detector. In short, on average they're better drivers.
Of course the marketeers will have realised that "rewarding careful drivers" is a good way of gaining interest. "We've knocked 10% off our (rather expensive) policy because you are an above average driver"
It's a bit like vanity sizing in clothes.....
mobile sites are a right pain, but so far have been under the speed limit when gone thru several
insurance is paid for, the cost of getting caught is not the problem, it is the points....
if they can be stuck to the dashboard and have a dual charger lead for the device and mobile phone, would probably use one
So - I challenge any insurance company to offer a discount to drivers who have willingly undertaken advanced driving tests or something similar. Proving that a Tw*t-Nav reduces the number of endorsements only shows that people can pay attention to a simple warning and slow down before a speed camera. It doesn't make them better (or safer) drivers, in much the same way that drivers of 4x4s and SUVs(Stupid Useless Vehicles)find out that 4 wheel drive won't stop you from crashing in the snow if you can't drive in the first place. We should be encouraging people to become better drivers and become LESS dependent upon technological gizmos.
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