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It sounds so easy: box in, download app, drive and save. Since April, VHV has been offering 2016 a telematics box that simply connects to the vehicle's cigarette lighter and evaluates the driving profile of the policyholder. The safer and more predictive you drive, the cheaper the tariffs will be. We took a closer look at the system.
Pay as you drive
Plug in, drive off and save as early as the end of the month - it sounds so easy. However, the prerequisite is that you have at least 25 hours of driving, otherwise the box does not have enough data to evaluate. However, once the data has been collected, savings can begin immediately. The values are evaluated for a discount from the insurance and count accordingly from the 25th hour of driving time. The discount for the following year is calculated from the average calculations of the previous year - very easy. For personal evaluation, you simply use the smartphone app, which is available for iPhone, Android or Windows.
With this tariff, the VHV wants to encourage safe driving. And what better way to do that with German drivers than through your wallet? You can save up to 30 percent on insurance costs by connecting the small telematics box to the cigarette lighter. That can quickly be 360 € (sample calculation). But what does telematics actually mean? The somewhat cryptic word is made up of telecommunications and computer science. This describes nothing other than the transmission of relevant data that is obtained with the help of computers and sensors.
What is measured?
Various parameters are measured. On the one hand, of course, the speed: The driven speed is determined by a GPS sensor of the box, which determines the speed over the time covered for a certain distance. In addition, it is determined via this position data, how exactly you take it with speed limits - finally a good reason not to rush into the next speed camera.
This has a decisive influence on the driving style - in a positive sense. The acceleration sensor in the telematics box no longer has to work a lot, since it no longer records hectic acceleration and braking maneuvers. The aim is to use this feature to convert a flimsy risky driving style into corresponding insurance premiums - actually quite fair, right?
In addition to these values, the times of the journeys are also registered, higher accident risks apply at certain times of the day than one would think. Sure: At rush hour, the traffic is simply higher and more likely an accident. In addition, some trips are statistically exposed to a larger accident frequency. Example complacent? Night rides on Saturday often lead to youngsters in the disco. Sometimes with a beer too much. Here, the box may be the decisive impetus to leave the car rather.
A contribution to driving safety
In addition, the small box remembers which type of road is used: highway, highway or the 30 zone in the city. Why? Quite simply: The risk of accidents on highways is simply lower than on a small, winding country road, which is peppered with trees.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY4Fzxun2pQ
The little technological marvel has been available for testing free of charge for three months since April. A rental price for the box is only due after this time has elapsed, but this is limited - especially since the discount for the insurance premiums is greater. In this way, the driver is brought into focus and appeals to his common sense. So all in all, the system is more just for everyone. After all, you are classified according to your own risk-taking and daring. Or should others suffer from high ratings just because you would like to be a rally driver yourself?
Everything in view with the smartphone app
Of course you can feel a little glassy with the box. However, the VHV assures that a data transfer to the claims department or other third parties is excluded. Also, no driving performance determination are carried out via the telematics system. Only responsible driving should be promoted. Another advantage of the box: In the event of a breakdown or accident can be quickly sent help. In addition, it offers another security aspect: if the vehicle is moved without permission, it alerts the driver and can display the location of the vehicle via the app. Here you can always see his retracted discount. More transparency is therefore not possible. Opponents will now say that this statement is true, after all, thanks to the box, you will get something glassy. If you do not like the concept, you can cancel the little wonder cube on a monthly basis. More information is available at https://www.vhv.de/telematik