The short answer
Telematics programmes monitor mileage, braking, acceleration, time of day, and phone handling, then reprice your policy. Low-mileage, daytime, smooth drivers commonly save 10–40%. High-mileage drivers, night-shift workers, and anyone in stop-start traffic can end up paying more.
What is actually measured
The scoring weightings surprise people.
- Hard braking is heavily weighted, and it penalises defensive drivers in dense traffic.
- Night driving between midnight and 4am is a strong negative even if the driving is faultless.
- Phone handling while moving is now tracked by most app-based programmes, including passenger use of your phone.
- Total mileage is usually the largest single factor.
- Rapid acceleration is weighted more in some programmes than speeding itself.
Check whether the rate can go up
Some states and carriers guarantee the programme can only discount, never surcharge. Others allow an increase at renewal. Confirm this in writing before enrolling — it is the single most important question, and it is rarely in the marketing material.
Decide with your own numbers
Upload your policy to PolicyPal and we show what portion of your premium is mileage-sensitive and whether a pay-per-mile product would beat your current rate.
Frequently asked
- Can I quit mid-programme?
- Usually yes, though you may lose the participation discount and revert to standard rating at renewal.
- Does it track passengers using my phone?
- App-based programmes generally cannot distinguish, which is a known weakness. Device-based plug-ins avoid this.
- Is pay-per-mile different?
- Yes. Pay-per-mile charges a base rate plus a cents-per-mile figure and suits drivers under roughly 7,000 miles a year regardless of driving style.
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