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 the way you drive through a small device fitted to your vehicle.

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. They’re often popular among younger or inexperienced drivers as they can potentially lower 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?

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

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

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

How does black box car insurance work?

First, a black box device may need to be installed in your car. You can either do this yourself or your insurance provider will send an engineer to do it. Alternatively, your provider may simply ask you to download a telematics app to your smartphone.

Once the device or app is installed, your provider will be able to collect a range of information about your driving habits using GPS and motion sensors.

Get your driver score

With black box insurance, providers will generate a driver score based on how, when and where you drive. Exactly how you’re rated will depend on the provider. But you’ll often be given a score out of 100, with the highest scores given to the safest drivers.

Some providers may break your score down into categories, so you can see what you’re doing well and where you could improve. They could, for example, give you a separate score for:

How you drive – including how smoothly you brake and accelerate, and if you’re driving at a safe speed.
When you drive – including how often you’re behind the wheel and at what times of day.
Where you drive – including the types of roads you tend to travel on. For example, motorways, rural roads or in busy urban areas. They’ll also look at where you park your car at night.

Get feedback on your driving

You can track your score via your black box insurance provider’s app or online dashboard. It will update after a set timeframe, based on how you’ve been driving.

Depending on your provider’s terms, this could be once a week, once a day or even after each journey.

You’ll also get feedback and personalised tips on how to improve your score.

Pay less next year if you score well

When it’s time to renew your telematics car insurance, your provider will review your driving habits and offer you a black box insurance quote based on your score.

The cheapest car insurance with a black box is typically given to those who’ve been driving safely. Those who haven’t made any claims could also earn a no claims discount.

How is a black box installed?

You can either install the device yourself or have it professionally fitted. This is sometimes arranged by your insurance provider.

Self-installed black box – you’ll be sent a small device to plug into your car’s diagnostics port or power outlet. You may need to pair it with a mobile phone app.
Engineer-installed black box – your insurance provider will arrange for an engineer to install this device. It’s typically placed out of sight, often behind the dashboard, so it doesn’t distract you while you’re driving.
Smartphone app – some insurance providers offer a telematics app that uses your smartphone’s GPS to gather data about your driving. You won’t need to have a device installed.

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Who might black box car insurance be good for?

Car insurance with a black box can be especially good for young and inexperienced drivers.

Because they’re considered a higher risk by providers, new drivers are typically charged more for their insurance. Young drivers aged 17-24 on average pay £1,641^[1] for their car insurance, compared to the typical overall cost of £729^[2] for comprehensive car insurance.

With telematics car insurance, young drivers can improve their skills and prove they’re safe behind the wheel. In return for driving well, they may be able to lower their insurance premiums.

Our handy comparison tool can help those new to the road find cheap black box insurance for young drivers.

Black box insurance could also benefit drivers with motoring convictions who need to prove they’re safe on the road again.

^[1]51% of young drivers between 17-24 years old could achieve a quote of up to £1640.73 for their car insurance based on Compare the Market data in December 2024.

^[2]51% of our customers were quoted less than £728.25 for their comprehensive car insurance in December 2024.

What our expert says...

“There’s evidence to show that having a black box in the car can help drivers to be more aware and drive more safely. Plus, a telematics car insurance policy could be a cheaper option, and not just for younger drivers. Whatever your age, but particularly if you’re a young driver, it’s well worth comparing black box insurance quotes to see if a telematics policy is right for you.”

- Julie Daniels, Motor insurance comparison expert

Is car insurance cheaper with a black box?

A black box could make your car insurance cheaper, but it depends on your age and how you drive.

Safe and sensible drivers tend to be rewarded with the cheapest black box insurance. Reckless drivers, on the other hand, could face higher renewal premiums.

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.
Watch your mileage – spending less time behind the wheel could mean a cheaper quote.
Choose your car wisely – choosing a vehicle in a lower car insurance group could mean you get access to the cheapest black box insurance.
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.
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.
Shop around – don’t go with the first price you see. Compare black box insurance quotes to see what else is on the market.

Compare the Market’s black box insurance comparison service could be one of the easiest ways to find cheap black box insurance for your budget.

How much does a telematics policy reduce insurance?

You might not get cheap car insurance with a black box straight away. But you could be rewarded with a discount on renewal if you continue to drive well.

You’ll also start to build up a no claims discount if you stay claim-free thanks to your safer driving.

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

What are the advantages of black box car insurance?

The benefits of having car insurance with a black box include:

Potentially improved driving skills, if you follow the insurer’s advice – 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.
Savings for not driving – if you don’t drive many miles or you drive mainly during off-peak hours, your premium could go down.
It’s arguably fairer – if you’re a safe driver, you’re not penalised because other drivers your age drive recklessly.

What are the disadvantages of black box car insurance?

The downsides of having car insurance with a black box include:

Hidden fees – some insurance providers may charge for missed installation, as well as cancelling or removing the black box.
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 transferrable – 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.
Boxes can sometimes give wrong readings – for example, driving over a pothole or speed bump may give a wrong reading. Weather and lack of signal can also affect the reading.

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

All drivers should do this whether they have a black box installed or not. It will help keep your insurance costs down too.

Accelerate gently

Smooth and steady is the way to go. Your black box will be measuring how fast you accelerate.

Be road-aware and brake in plenty of time

Avoid tailgating. Remember the stopping distances you learned in your theory test and slow down safely.

Watch your mileage

Many black boxes track your mileage. If you go over your expected limit, you might be asked to pay more. Some policies reward safer driving with extra miles.

Don’t tamper with the box

Don’t try to outwit the box by turning it off, jamming it or removing it. The box is there to keep your premiums low. You want your safe driving to be recorded and taken into account when you get your black box insurance quote.

Remember, your 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 affect your score.

Did you know?

According to government figures, ‘loss of control’, ‘exceeding the speed limit’ and ‘careless driving’ are more likely to be recorded in collisions involving younger drivers, compared with vehicles driven by motorists of other ages.

Is black box car insurance right for me?

Many telematics policies are open to all ages and could benefit any driver who doesn’t have the best safety record.

Not only could they help save you money on your premium, they could also improve your driving.

But telematics car insurance won’t be right for everyone. Regular night-time driving is likely to reduce your driving score. So, if you often work late shifts or drive your car overnight, it may not be the best option for you.

The number of miles you drive is a factor too. Black box car insurance might not be a good idea if your driving habits change so much that you risk going over your expected mileage.

And if you only drive occasionally, a pay-as-you-go car insurance policy could be a better fit.

How do I get a black box car insurance quote?

To get a black box insurance quote, you’ll need to tell us about:

Your car – you’ll need the registration number to buy a policy.
How you use your car (for business, leisure or commuting) and how many miles you expect to drive in a year.
Your no-claims discount.
Your driving history – any claims, accidents and driving convictions from the past five years.
Additional drivers – if you want to add other drivers to the policy, we’ll need a few details about them.
Your personal details, including your name, address, age and occupation.

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^[1]Based on Online independent research by Consumer Intelligence during December 2024, 51% of customers could achieve this saving on their car insurance through Compare the Market.

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Frequently asked questions

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

Many apps offer driving tips based on your score. If you have a bad journey, some providers might go as far as calling you to talk through your score and how to improve your driving skills.

Some telematics car insurance apps 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.

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.

What happens if I get a bad score on my black box?

You’ll get a warning from your telematics car insurance 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 black box car insurance policy could be cancelled. This can make it much harder and more expensive to find another mainstream insurance provider.

How long do you need to have the black box?

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 means you’ll have to pay more.

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 black box car insurance involve any extra costs?

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

If the black box needs to be fitted by a mechanic, this is normally factored into the cost when you take out your policy. The cost of the black box itself should also be included.

However, there can be a charge for cancelling and disconnecting it. Some black box insurance providers may also charge you if you buy a new car and need to move the box.

Will my telematics data be shared?

No, the information from your black box won’t be shared with a third party, except for the police.

And the police would only get access to your telematics data if they asked for it as part of a formal criminal investigation. In this case, legal permission would need to be in place to allow them to access it.

However, if you’re the named driver on a telematics insurance policy, the policyholder will be able to see your data and driving score. Something to bear in mind if you’re on your parents’ black box insurance.

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 all 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.