Black box car insurance

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What is black box car insurance?

Black box car insurance, also known as telematics car insurance, monitors your driving via a small device fitted to your vehicle or an app on your phone.

This allows your insurance provider to give you a personalised insurance quote based on your driving habits.

The safer your driving is, the lower your insurance premiums might be when you come to renew.

These types of policy are popular among younger and inexperienced drivers as they can potentially reduce premiums for a group often saddled with high costs. However, there’s no certainty they’ll lead to lower prices.

What does a black box do?

A black box records a range of data about your driving, including:

Braking and accelerating
Speed
Cornering
Steering
Mileage
What time of day you drive
Where you drive
Number of journeys.

That data is then shared with your insurance provider so it can score your driving style.

Some devices can also monitor whether you’re using your mobile phone while driving.

Who can see my driving data?

Only you and your insurance company can see the data your black box collects.

The police may request access to your driving information if they need it for a court order or to investigate an accident, but they can’t access it whenever they like.

How does telematics car insurance work?

You can start driving as soon as your black box policy starts – even if the device hasn’t been fitted yet. Here’s what to expect once everything’s set up.

Get your driver score

Get feedback on your driving

Pay less if you score well

If multiple people drive your car

Once your policy ends

Do black boxes have curfews?

No, black boxes don’t have curfews as such. There are no physical restrictions on when you can or can’t drive.

However, they do track the time of day you drive. Many insurers consider driving at night (usually between 11pm and 5am) as high-risk because of low visibility.

Driving regularly during high-risk windows could have a negative impact on your driving score and increase your premium.

Did you know?

Your driver score is based on your overall driving standard over a period of time. One-offs, such as braking hard to avoid a car that’s suddenly pulled out in front of you, shouldn’t have an impact.

What types of black box are there?

There are three types of black box you can get, depending on policy and provider.

Plug-in device

You’ll get a small device to plug into your car or attach to your windscreen. You may need to pair it with a mobile phone app.
No engineer visit needed – just plug and go
Unplug and re-install as needed – ideal if you plan to change cars soon (remember to tell your provider if you’re getting a new car)
May not be compatible with all cars – you’ll typically need a cigarette lighter socket or USB port

Engineer-installed black box

Your insurance provider will arrange for an engineer to install this in your car (typically behind the dashboard or near the battery, so it doesn’t distract you while you’re driving)
Installation cost is typically included in your policy price
Hassle-free – it’s already set up and ready to go every time you set off
You’re covered to drive as soon as your policy starts, even if your black box hasn’t been installed yet
You’ll need to wait for an engineer visit, which can take a few days
You may need to pay to re-install your black box if you change cars

Smartphone app

Some insurance providers offer a telematics app that uses your phone’s GPS to track your driving
Quick and easy to set up – just download your provider’s app, log in and drive
Relies on your phone being charged for the whole trip and good signal for the GPS to work. Your journey won't be recorded otherwise.
If you share your car with other drivers, they’ll each need to set up their own access to the telematics app
You’ll need to turn Bluetooth off or log out of the app if you’re a passenger in another car (and log back in later). If someone else’s driving is accidentally recorded, you should be able to edit this in your app, or let your provider know.

Who might black box car insurance be good for?

Black box car insurance is especially handy for young drivers. Because they don’t have much road experience yet, they tend to pay more than any other age group, and a black box can bring those costs down.

But others could benefit from a telematics policy too.

Young drivers

Because providers consider them high risk, young drivers pay more for their car insurance than any other age group.

Even with a black box, young drivers aged 17-24 typically pay £1,324³. But our data shows that that's still a saving for most (69%)⁴.

Convicted drivers

Drivers with motoring convictions also face high premiums because of their history of high-risk behaviour.

Having a clean record typically means a £176 annual saving on your cover, compared to drivers with one driving conviction⁵.

If you do have a conviction, black box insurance could help you prove you’re safe on the road again and gradually lower your premiums.

Older drivers

Our data shows that insurance costs tend to rise significantly again after the age of 80.

While black box insurance might not save all older drivers money, there are certain circumstances where it could.

For instance, if you were recently at fault for an accident, a black box could be a way of demonstrating you’re still safe behind the wheel.

Infrequent drivers

If you’re a low-mileage driver, a pay-as-you-go telematics policy could work out cheaper than an annual car insurance policy.

The provider will monitor your mileage and charge by the mile, on top of an annual or monthly fee to cover your car while it's parked. 

How much does black box insurance cost?

The cost of black box insurance varies from person to person. Your quotes depend on factors such as your age, experience and how you drive.

The table below shows how people tend to pay for black box insurance:

Age of policyholder	Annual telematics insurance cost³
17-24	£1,324
25-29	£706
30-39	£705
40-49	£689
50-59	£670
60-69	£581
70-79	£524
80+	£502

How much does a telematics policy reduce insurance?

Some drivers, particularly young or high-risk drivers, could make significant savings by taking out a black box policy. 

As the above table shows, premiums drop substantially between under-25s and drivers in their late 20s.

You’ll also start to build up a no-claims discount if you stay claim-free thanks to your safer driving. This will help you save even more.

But having car insurance with a black box doesn’t guarantee you a cheaper quote. Your premiums could go up or down, depending on how you drive.

Bear in mind

A black box doesn’t guarantee you a cheaper quote. It's designed to improve your driving, show you're safe on the road and reward you with savings.

But your premiums could go up or down, depending on how you drive.

How to get cheaper telematics insurance

There are a few things you can do to get cheap black box insurance quotes at renewal, including:

Improve your driver score

Follow your provider’s tips to become a safer driver.

Build up a no-claims bonus

Every year you go without claiming on your car insurance could help you build your no-claims discount.

For example, drivers with 1-3 years’ no-claims typically pay around £822, while those with zero years pay around £1,611– that's £789 more³.

Watch your mileage

Spending less time behind the wheel could mean a cheaper quote.

Choose your car wisely

Vehicles in lower car insurance group could give you access to cheaper cover.

To give you an idea, you might pay around £927 to insure a car with a 3L engine. But a 1-1.4L engine could cost you £587³.

Park in a secure location

The black box can monitor where you park overnight. Choosing a safer location, like a garage or driveway, means your car is less likely to be stolen.

Parking on your driveway typically saves you £247 a year versus parking on a street outside your home⁵.

Increase your excess

Agreeing to pay a higher voluntary excess could mean a lower black box insurance quote. But make sure you can afford the excess if you do need to claim.

Pay annually, rather than monthly

As with all car insurance, paying for the year upfront means you won’t be charged interest.

Compare quotes

Don’t go with the first price you see. Shop around to find the best black box insurance for your needs. You could save up to £485 on your car insurance through Compare the Market¹.

Pros and cons of telematics insurance

Advantages of telematics insurance

Potentially improved driving skills – get customised tips on how you can become a better driver through your insurance provider’s app on your phone
Rewards for safer driving – prove that you’re a safe and responsible driver, and you could get a cheaper quote when it’s time to renew your policy
Theft deterrence – the GPS technology in the black box can be used by police to find your car if it’s stolen
Evidence in an accident – if you’re involved in a crash, data from the black box can potentially be used to establish who was at fault. It could also speed up the claims process
It’s arguably fairer – if you’re a safe driver, you’re not penalised because other drivers your age drive recklessly.

Disadvantages of telematics insurance

Stressful driving experience – the constant monitoring makes some drivers more anxious and diminishes their driving experience
Journey restrictions – driving at night can lower your driver score. So can going over your estimated mileage, potentially bumping up your premiums
Higher premiums for bad drivers – regularly driving fast and slamming on the brakes could mean you end up paying more for your car insurance
Less careful named drivers – most black box car insurance policies won’t be able to tell who is driving your car. If you add a named driver who drives poorly, it will be reflected in the driving score that shows on your policy, not theirs
Driver score not transferable – insurance providers don’t share data on your driving. So, if you have a good record and switch to a different provider, you may have to build up your driving data again.

If you get a low driver score

You’ll get a warning from your provider if you repeatedly score badly or your driving is considered extremely dangerous.

If your score remains low, your premium may go up or your car insurance policy could be cancelled. This can make it much harder and more expensive to find another mainstream insurance provider.

Black box car insurance golden rules

If you stick to these basic black box car insurance principles, a telematics policy could work for you.

Stick to the speed limit

Accelerate gently

Be road-aware and brake in plenty of time

Watch your mileage

Don’t tamper with the box

Did you know?

According to the Department for Transport, ineffective observation, exceeding the speed limit and loss of control are more likely to be recorded in collisions involving younger drivers, compared with motorists of other ages.

What our expert says...

“Black box insurance is one of the cheapest ways to get on the road if you’re a younger driver and just passed your test. You might not see a huge saving straight away, but it’s all about proving that you’re safe and low risk to insurers. Do that, and your premiums should start to drop.

“But don’t just plug in your black box and forget about it. Check your score and driving feedback regularly – and act on it. Small changes now could add up to a cheaper quote at renewal.”

Amy Rootham, Insurance expert

How do I get a black box car insurance quote?

To get a black box insurance quote, you’ll need to tell us a few details about you and your car.

Start a quote

Your car

To help match you with the right policy, we'll need your car's registration number, where it's kept overnight, how you use it (whether that's for commuting, business or personal use) and roughly how many miles you drive each year.

Your details

We'll ask for a few personal details, including your name, age and where you live, so insurers can calculate your quote.

Your claims history

We'll need information about your driving history, including any no claims discount you've earned, along with details of any previous claims or convictions. Providing accurate information is important, as it could affect your cover.

Start a quote

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FAQs

What is a black box car?

A black box car is simply a vehicle that has a GPS tracking device fitted to it for insurance purposes. A black box can be fitted to most cars, regardless of the make or model.

However, depending on the provider and the black box they use, your car may have to be under 15-20 years old.

Can I see my black box data?

Yes, you typically need to log into an app or online portal to see data that’s been collected by your black box.

This allows you to identify areas for improvement behind the wheel. Some providers will also encourage you to build streaks for safe journeys and achieve badges, as well as save money at renewal. Other policies may offer perks for safe driving, such as bonus miles or gift vouchers.

Can I drive my car before the black box is installed?

Most insurance providers will let you drive your car while you wait for your black box to arrive. But it’s always best to check with your black box insurance provider first.

Bear in mind that you won’t build up a driver score until the box is fitted.

How long do you need to have a black box for?

Black box car insurance policies last for 12 months. The black box will need to be installed for as long as your policy is active.

What happens if you go over your estimated mileage with a black box?

Driving more miles than you estimated when you took out your telematics policy usually leads to higher premiums. It doesn’t mean you’ll be fined or have your policy cancelled, as some people believe.

Typically, your insurance provider will periodically check your mileage to see if you’re on track to meet your estimate. If it looks like you’re going to be over by more than a certain amount, they’ll usually contact you to say they need to raise your premium.

Check your telematics car insurance policy to see how it works for you.

Are there any specific eligibility criteria for black box car insurance?

Providers will likely have some eligibility criteria you need to meet to get a black box. This may include the car’s age, value and annual mileage.

Check the requirements when you compare black box insurance quotes and before you apply for a telematics policy.

Does telematics car insurance involve any extra costs?

There isn’t usually an extra charge for installing the black box. However, some providers will charge you if you miss the installation appointment.

There may also be a charge for cancelling and disconnecting the device. And some black box insurance providers may charge you if you buy a new car and need to move the box.

Does a black box know if you crash?

The black box measures G-force, so it will recognise the impact force of a collision if you’re involved in an accident. It will also record:

How fast you were travelling at the time of the crash
Where the crash took place
What time the crash happened.

If you’re in a collision that wasn’t your fault, the information from your black box could be used as evidence to build a case in your favour.

Can I have a named driver with a black box policy?

You should be able to have a named driver added to your black box car insurance policy.

But the black box won’t know who is driving when, because it collects and records data on the car, not the driver. This means if you add a named driver who drives poorly, it will be reflected in the driving score that shows on your policy, not theirs.

There are some black box apps that allow you to assign journeys to named drivers on your policy. However, it’s important to be honest about this or it could invalidate your policy.

What happens to the black box after the insurance policy ends?

If you switch your insurance provider when your policy ends instead of renewing it, you can remove a self-fitted box yourself. You can then send it back or recycle it.

If you have a professionally fitted black box, your old provider will simply deactivate it so it no longer records your driving data. They may send someone out to remove it. If they don’t, you could choose to have it removed for a fee.

If I switch insurance provider, can I take my telematics data with me?

You can’t take data with you if you switch provider. And, in most cases, the black box itself can’t be transferred from one provider to another.

How is the black box removed?

If you have a professionally fitted black box, your insurance provider may arrange for someone to remove it. This is usually at a time that works for you and normally at a cost.

Don’t attempt to remove a professionally fitted black box yourself, unless you’re told to.

Do black boxes have curfews?

Some telematics policies used to have curfews to prevent people driving during later hours when accidents are more likely to happen. But they’re much less common these days.

That said, driving regularly in the dark could have a negative impact on your driving score which, in turn, could increase your premiums.

Can you have a black box at any age?

Some black box policies only cover motorists under 25, while others are open to all ages.

Do telematics devices record my conversations?

No, black box technology doesn’t record audio in your car. It only collects data on how, when and where you drive.

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Reviewed 16 Sept 2026 by Amy Rootham Insurance expert

Amy helps make sure you get the best value when choosing insurance. Thanks to more than four years’ experience at Compare the Market, she understands what people look for, working closely with insurance providers to offer you deals and services that are fair, easy to understand and right for your needs.

Methodology

¹Based on Online independent research by Consumer Intelligence during June 2026, 51% of customers could achieve this saving on their car insurance through Compare the Market.

²Based on the % of respondents claiming they have used Compare the Market in the last 12 months vs. other leading PCWs. Source: Savanta BrandVue Financial Services, National Representative Survey of 12,257 respondents (June 2026)

³Based on 51% of customers who compared quotes for this type of policy in June 2026.

⁴Based on Compare the Market data in June 2026.

⁵ Based on 51% of customers who compared quotes for this type of policy in August 2026.