Does Your Driving App Track You? Can It Raise Your Rates?

As more South Carolina drivers turn to insurance company driving apps and telematics programs, questions about privacy and premium impacts are becoming increasingly common. At Select Insurance, we believe it’s important for our clients to understand how these apps work, what data is collected, and how it may affect your auto insurance rates.

How Driving Apps and Telematics Work

Telematics programs collect driving data through a smartphone app or a small plug-in device that connects to your car’s diagnostic port. The app may use your phone’s GPS, accelerometer and gyroscope to monitor your trips in real time.

What Data Do Insurers Use?

Most telematics programs focus on behaviors that may correlate with accident risk. Common data points include:

• Hard braking and rapid acceleration
• Speeding and posted speed limit compliance
• Time of day you typically drive
• Phone usage while the vehicle is moving
• Total miles driven per month

Can Driving Apps Affect Your Rates in South Carolina?

While many programs advertise discounts for safe drivers, risky driving habits captured by the app may lead to higher premiums at renewal. South Carolina does not prohibit insurers from using telematics data in rate calculations, so what the app records may work for or against you.

Contact Us Today

Understanding the rules before you sign up puts you in a much stronger position when renewal time arrives. Contact Select Insurance to review your current auto coverage and decide whether a telematics program is the right fit for how you drive.

This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.