How long before your car spies on your driving habits?

Car insurance companies want you to install a new device in your car so they can track how you drive and when you drive. The companies say this could reduce your insurance rates, but there is more to the story.

The data that are collected by the insurers don't stay with the insurers and won't be used only to calculate rates. Police could get access to your driving habits, as could state agencies.

Most critically, these data could be used in claims disputes by the insurer and others against you. That means that the auto insurer's "black box" in your car could become Exhibit A in a case against you.

Collecting better data about accidents is important for auto safety, but fairness remains a critical concern if drivers are told they have to accept the determination of an insurance company. One survey of nearly 700 crashes involving vehicles with manufacturer-installed "event data recorders" (similar to the devices insurers want to put in cars), found that there were problems retrieving the data in almost 40% of the cases.

Also, the insurers are not the only ones who want to spy on you. The federal government is considering mandating event data recorders in all vehicles — the Transportation Department already requires EDRs for long-haul vehicles, including those operated by independent owners.


Link:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2011-08-18-car-insurance-monitors-driving-snapshot_n.htm