What does a black box track?

A black box, also known as a telematics device, records information about your driving. Insurers typically use this information to understand driving habits and help calculate your insurance renewal price. Depending on the device and provider it may record everything from your speed and braking to your location and phone use.

This data is then used to calculate a driving score, which most insurers present through an app or online portal for drivers to review.

At Marshmallow, our telematics plan is called Marshmallow Move. We don’t use an actual black box, just a small bluetooth tag that connects with your phone, but it works on the same principle. And if you drive safely, it could save you an average of £271.

Find out how a black box driving score works.

What does a black box track?

The exact data that a black box tracks varies depending on your insurer, policy and the technology used. Depending on the system, a telematics device may collect information about:

• Speed: Information about your speed, which may be compared with the applicable speed limit.
• Acceleration: Sensor data can help identify sudden acceleration, which can be a signal of unsafe driving.
• Braking: Harsh braking can be a sign that you’re not paying close enough attention of the road.
• Cornering: Going into corners too fast can cause you to lose control or lead to harsh braking.
• Phone use: Some systems can detect signs that a phone is being handled, or its screen is being used while the vehicle is moving.
• Road type: Information about the types of roads you drive on, such as motorways or urban roads.
• Journey distances: The distance covered during a journey or across multiple trips.
• Crash detection: Some systems can detect movement patterns that may indicate a collision.
• Journey times: Information about when you drive, including the time and date of a trip.

Does telematics track your location?

It can. GPS-enabled telematics systems may record where journeys begin and end, as well as information about the routes you take. The level of detail collected depends on the technology, GPS signal and how the provider processes the data.

Marshmallow Move uses location data, including GPS information when available, to record journeys. This means your trip data may reveal the locations associated with your journeys, including their starting and finishing points.

Does a black box track where you park?

It depends on the system. If a telematics device records GPS data throughout a journey, that data may reveal where the journey ended, including a location where you’ve parked your car.

However, recording the end of a journey isn't the same as continuously monitoring a parked vehicle. A system that records journey-related location data may not collect information about where the car stays between trips.

With Marshmallow Move, location is recorded when you're driving and your Tag is connected to the app. It doesn't track or store your location when you're not on a journey.

Understand what your black box tracks

A black box can collect a range of information about your journeys, from speed and braking to location and journey times. Exactly what's recorded, and how that information is used, depends on your insurer and the technology involved.

If you're considering telematics insurance, checking what your device tracks and reading your insurer's privacy information can help you understand what to expect.

With Marshmallow Move, you’ll get insights on your driving and tips to stay safe on the road. Get a quote today to see what you could save with telematics car insurance.