AIG car insurance - XLNTdriver app

Alrite Chief

To Elland Back wrote: »

There is nothing 'legal' about a no claim bonus. It is just a marketing tool accepted as standard practice by insurers. They are obliged to provide you with a certificate by the Financial Regulator, but not insurer is obliged to accept it and nobody can make them. Current practice helps potential insurers identify your risk profile, that's all

Ok fair enough but it's a document to give specific details. Not information gathered by an app.

TheTomahawk

I signed up over the weekend, saving over €200 on the best quote that AA could provide (and saving around €90 on the AIG quote without the app). Here are my findings over the last few days:

- I had to turn off auto start and auto stop as the app was recording walks I was taking with my dog (and scoring them accordingly). It was also recording spurious trips while doing things like sitting in the office, or sitting in the canteen eating my lunch (with crappy low scores).

- ALL!!! data is sent to AIG and Floow (the people who wrote the app). And since it's their servers that need to crunch the data, this means all of data! This is then kept on their servers, against your name. I'm not overly happy with that. (And it's another reason I turned off auto start). I don't like that they know what I'm doing at all time, effectively. So I'll manually give them my driving data for the purpose of my insurance, but they are not getting anything else.

- they encourage you to keep the app running after the 500km by offering further discounts. All so they can have more data on you. It's all a bit too Big Brother or 1984 for me, to be honest. So, after 500km, the app is going.

- My current score for phone usage is 84 - this is below the 85 score that give the 20% discount. I got this low score because... well, my phone was in my pocket for all trips done, so, I got this score for absolutely no reason what-so-ever.

- My current score for "Time Component" is 70. This is, presumably, because I have to go into work for 8am. One trip that I did after midnight had a pitiful score with no events on it, so I can only assume it was because it was after midnight. Does anybody know the best time to drive, according to the app? How does one improve a Time Component score when you don't really have a choice over what times you can drive? (this also means that the app is somewhat unfair)

- Smooth driving: "Typically someone who accelerates and decelerates a lot during a journey will get a worse score..." So, I should just break all red lights I see in order to keep my score up, I suppose, 'cos I drive through the city as I'm constantly stopping and starting.

- when pulling out from a small side road onto a main road, I was penalised for 'medium acceleration'. It appears they want to encourage people to pull out slowly onto a main road and take their time getting up to the speed of the flowing traffic...

- Pulling slowly away from a traffic light is a sure fire way to ensure that the traffic light changes back to red quicker (due to the induction loop not sensing enough movement). So do I think about the cars behind me and improve traffic flow, thus taking a penalty for medium or hard acceleration, or do I retain my score but stop another 10 cars getting through the light? (If someone else was trying to protect their own score and I was one of the 10, I wouldn't be happy - and I do try to think about the affect of my driving on other drivers, which many don't). Currently, I'm opting for improving my score. Sorry other drivers.

- While it has the positive benefit of making me more aware of my driving style, this is also a negative. Driving is somewhat a semi-conscious action, but with the app it becomes a conscious action. You question every move you make wondering how this will affect your score, almost to the point that you don't want to press the brake hard to avoid killing that cyclist that just swerved out in front of you (without looking!) in order to overtake another cyclist, as you know that the braking manoeuvre will affect your score (but killing the cyclist won't). As a result, knowing the app is running is a distraction and can negatively affect your driving.

The app needs to be used to 500km, so once I get to 500 (I'm at 46 now) this will be uninstalled. And I'll probably never use it again. I know I'm not a perfect driver, I'm aware of some of my faults, but I feel I'm become a worse driver while 'playing the game' of trying to attain a better score.

Special Circumstances

TheTomahawk wrote: »

- when pulling out from a small side road onto a main road, I was penalised for 'medium acceleration'. It appears they want to encourage people to pull out slowly onto a main road and take their time getting up to the speed of the flowing traffic...

Shpeed kills!

uck51js9zml2yt

TheTomahawk wrote: »

I signed up over the weekend, saving over €200 on the best quote that AA could provide (and saving around €90 on the AIG quote without the app). Here are my findings over the last few days:

- I had to turn off auto start and auto stop as the app was recording walks I was taking witih my dog (and scoring them accordingly). It was also recording spurious trips while doing things like sitting in the office, or sitting in the canteen eating my lunch (with crappy low scores).

- ALL!!! data is sent to AIG and Floow (the people who wrote the app). And since it's their servers that need to crunch the data, this means all of data! This is then kept on their servers, against your name. I'm not overly happy with that. (And it's another reason I turned off auto start). I don't like that they know what I'm doing at all time, effectively. So I'll manually give them my driving data for the purpose of my insurance, but they are not getting anything else.

- they encourage you to keep the app running after the 500km by offering further discounts. All so they can have more data on you. It's all a bit too Big Brother or 1984 for me, to be honest. So, after 500km, the app is going.

- My current score for phone usage is 84 - this is below the 85 score that give the 20% discount. I got this low score because... well, my phone was in my pocket for all trips done, so, I got this score for absolutely no reason what-so-ever.

- My current score for "Time Component" is 70. This is, presumably, because I have to go into work for 8am. One trip that I did after midnight had a pitiful score with no events on it, so I can only assume it was because it was after midnight. Does anybody know the best time to drive, according to the app? How does one improve a Time Component score when you don't really have a choice over what times you can drive? (this also means that the app is somewhat unfair)

- Smooth driving: "Typically someone who accelerates and decelerates a lot during a journey will get a worse score..." So, I should just break all red lights I see in order to keep my score up, I suppose, 'cos I drive through the city as I'm constantly stopping and starting.

- when pulling out from a small side road onto a main road, I was penalised for 'medium acceleration'. It appears they want to encourage people to pull out slowly onto a main road and take their time getting up to the speed of the flowing traffic...

- Pulling slowly away from a traffic light is a sure fire way to ensure that the traffic light changes back to red quicker (due to the induction loop not sensing enough movement). So do I think about the cars behind me and improve traffic flow, thus taking a penalty for medium or hard acceleration, or do I retain my score but stop another 10 cars getting through the light? (If someone else was trying to protect their own score and I was one of the 10, I wouldn't be happy - and I do try to think about the affect of my driving on other drivers, which many don't). Currently, I'm opting for improving my score. Sorry other drivers.

- While it has the positive benefit of making me more aware of my driving style, this is also a negative. Driving is somewhat a semi-conscious action, but with the app it becomes a conscious action. You question every move you make wondering how this will affect your score, almost to the point that you don't want to press the brake hard to avoid killing that cyclist that just swerved out in front of you (without looking!) in order to overtake another cyclist, as you know that the braking manoeuvre will affect your score (but killing the cyclist won't). As a result, knowing the app is running is a distraction and can negatively affect your driving.

The app needs to be used to 500km, so once I get to 500 (I'm at 46 now) this will be uninstalled. And I'll probably never use it again. I know I'm not a perfect driver, I'm aware of some of my faults, but I feel I'm become a worse driver while 'playing the game' of trying to attain a better score.

My best times are on the N11 in the afternoon going home from work.
I'm on the road at 7 am and turn it off due to low scores.

Be aware that it must be used every 21 days once you hit your 500 km mark.

TheTomahawk

Special Circumstances wrote: »

Shpeed kills!

Actually, speed differentials kill, but only when high enough.
Pulling out into traffic travelling at 60km/h and slowly increasing your own speed causes this differential. Pulling out and getting up to 60km/h quickly reduce this differential.

TheTomahawk

Alisha Sweet Harpoon wrote: »

Be aware that it must be used every 21 days once you hit your 500 km mark.

What happens if I forget my phone?
We don’t expect you to remember your phone for every journey you undertake. Missing the occasional journey will not greatly affect your overall score. We require you to complete a minimum of 500Kms in the first 90 days of your policy. This then allows us to reward you based upon your overall score. You should continue using the App all the time we provide you with car insurance.

No mention in the FAQ about this 21 day thing...

In the T&Cs:
You must record a trip at least once every 21 days to be eligible for on-going offers.

Since I don't care about any on-going offers (whatever, or "ifever" (sic), they may be), I'm quite happy to uninstall the app once I have completed the minimum requirement.

In reviewing the T&Cs, I now see that the 500km has to be over a minimum of 45 trips. The T&Cs effectively say that you must to 500km AND do 45 trips. My journey to work is 16km, so this will only amount to 30/31 trips. Other smaller trips (shopping, gym, etc) should hopefully bring me over the required 45.

(This also answers the question someone asked about driving 1000km in the first week - if this doesn't amount to 45 trips, then you still have more journeys to record).

TheTomahawk

Alisha Sweet Harpoon wrote: »

Be aware that it must be used every 21 days once you hit your 500 km mark.

What happens if I forget my phone?
We don’t expect you to remember your phone for every journey you undertake. Missing the occasional journey will not greatly affect your overall score. We require you to complete a minimum of 500Kms in the first 90 days of your policy. This then allows us to reward you based upon your overall score. You should continue using the App all the time we provide you with car insurance.

No mention in the FAQ about this 21 day thing...

In the T&Cs:
You must record a trip at least once every 21 days to be eligible for on-going offers.

Since I don't care about any on-going offers (whatever, or "ifever" (sic), they may be), I'm quite happy to uninstall the app once I have completed the minimum requirement.

In reviewing the T&Cs, I now see that the 500km has to be over a minimum of 45 trips. The T&Cs effectively say that you must to 500km AND do 45 trips. My journey to work is 16km, so this will only amount to 30/31 trips. Other smaller trips (shopping, gym, etc) should hopefully bring me over the required 45. (Interestingly, no mention in the FAQ of the 45 days thing either!)

(This also answers the question someone asked about driving 1000km in the first week - if this doesn't amount to 45 trips, then you still have more journeys to record).

Pov06

Absolute waste of time these apps...

I would rather pay 20% more and not have to deal with this nonsense.

I was thinking of getting insurance cover with Boxymo last year but I ended up paying €200 more for cover without any trackers.

TheTomahawk

Pov06 wrote: »

Absolute waste of time these apps...

I would rather pay 20% more and not have to deal with this nonsense.

I was thinking of getting insurance cover with Boxymo last year but I ended up paying €200 more for cover without any trackers.

I'm glad you can afford the extra €200...

Pov06

TheTomahawk wrote: »

I'm glad you can afford the extra €200...

Well if you can't afford an extra €200 for your car then you really shouldn't be on the road...

How much is the excess on your insurance? Around €200? What will you say to your insurance company in the event of a crash?

"I can't afford it" will not be a valid answer.

Alanstrainor

Pov06 wrote: »

Well if you can't afford an extra €200 for your car then you really shouldn't be on the road...

How much is the excess on your insurance? Around €200? What will you say to your insurance company in the event of a crash?

"I can't afford it" will not be a valid answer.

Ah come on now... I think most would rather be 200 better off. This "you really shouldn't be on the road.." stuff is pretty nonsense.

I don't agree with these apps either, and will not go for a policy which requires one. However I can see them becoming popular due to cost benefits alone. Which is a shame, but it's the reality.

Staph

That's a bit uncalled for. Totally ridiculous statement.

Pov06

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Ah come on now... I think most would rather be 200 better off. This "you really shouldn't be on the road.." stuff is pretty nonsense.

The problem is the same people who pay less insurance with a tracker probably also service their car only once it's broken because they claim they can't afford it.

Running a car costs money and if you think €200 is a huge amount to be saving then IMO a bus is a better option.

Staph

Pov06 wrote: »

Well if you can't afford an extra €200 for your car then you really shouldn't be on the road...

How much is the excess on your insurance? Around €200? What will you say to your insurance company in the event of a crash?

"I can't afford it" will not be a valid answer.

That's a ridiculous statement.

Pov06

Staph wrote: »

That's a ridiculous statement.

Not ridiculous at all! In fact I wonder how many people have went for insurance with a tracker only to not notice that the savings they make may be lost because their excess is much higher with the tracker.

Staph

Tracker or no tracker, some policies have an excess. It's up to people to decide what they are willing to pay for their insurance and what type of cover they want. As long as people have insurance, that's the main thing.

Alanstrainor

Pov06 wrote: »

The problem is the same people who pay less insurance with a tracker probably also service their car only once it's broken because they claim they can't afford it.

Running a car costs money and if you think €200 is a huge amount to be saving then IMO a bus is a better option.

Hmmm that's a pretty big generalisation there. I'd rather spend the 200 on mods for my car tbh. €200 is a lot of money to most, I know I'd rather have it in my pocket rather than hand it over to AIG.

ironclaw

I'd be pretty concerned if someone was on the road and worrying about what is effectively 54 cent for every day of the policy in the difference. (€200/365)

Cars are expensive, if you've got one on the road, taxed and insured, you really should have some buffer available to you for "what if's" I appreciate some people are in very hard situations but if you have a car, you really should be able to afford it and the sundries.

Just thinking about a standard 1.0L car. Tax on the old system is about €200 for the year, €50 per week on petrol and insurance, say €500 for the year. So about €3300, or €9 per day. Your €200 represents about 6% of that amount. Its loose change in the grand scheme of things.

Squidgy Black

Jesus, since when is it wrong to try and save yourself a few quid?

If you want to go ahead and pay the higher price then fair enough, but it's hardly something to be ridiculed over for saving a few quid on something that only makes a miniscule difference. The excess on most policies with trackers is the same as normal policies in most cases. I'm with boxymo and my excess is only 150 and that's fully comp, whereas most other companies insisted on a 300 euro excess minimum.

Pov06

Staph wrote: »

It's up to people to decide what they are willing to pay for their insurance

It is indeed but there is a minimum to everything.

TheTomahawk

The problem is the same people who pay less insurance with a tracker probably also service their car only once it's broken because they claim they can't afford it.

Well if you can't afford an extra €200 for your car then you really shouldn't be on the road...

Your €200 represents about 6% of that amount. Its loose change in the grand scheme of things.

Wow. For f's sake, guys. €200 is still €200. It doesn't matter if it's only 6% the cost of running car for a year, it's still €200.

If you really don't think €200 is a lot, then my all means lodge it into my bank account. I'll find a better use for it than giving it to another insurance company for the same cover you can get for less.

For someone who gets both cars serviced every year, taxes them both (one is over €700 in tax), runs them both, etc etc, if I can save €200 on my insurance, or on my car service, or buy cheaper petrol, then that's money I can spend on myself, or my family, or with my friends. Or just put into a savings account for later. If I need to spend something on the car, then I spend it. But if I don't actually need to spend it, then why throw it away?

I'm glad for you that you earn so much that €200 seems like nothing to you. But not everyone is in the same situation. It doesn't mean they skimp on stuff, they are just more frugal.


Sheesh.

Pov06

TheTomahawk wrote: »

I'll find a better use for it than giving it to another insurance company for the same cover you can get for less.

That's the point you are missing. It's not the same cover. Cover with a tracker has a lot of disadvantages and the €200 is well spent for any hassle you may have in the future.

TheTomahawk

There no mention of any difference in policy between using the app and not. It's the same AIG fully comprehensive insurance, with a discount applied.

Pov06

TheTomahawk wrote: »

There no mention of any difference in policy between using the app and not. It's the same AIG fully comprehensive insurance, with a discount applied.

The policy is clearly not the same if it states you need to use a tracker.

markpb

Pov06 wrote: »

The policy is clearly not the same if it states you need to use a tracker.

Would it not be easier for you to explain why it's different instead of telling people they're wrong?

The cover provided by the policy is apparently the same, the excess may be the same, the only difference I can see is the discount if the tracker thinks you're probably a safe driver. If that's the only difference and someone is happy with that, why the negativity?

Pov06

markpb wrote: »

why the negativity?

Because they claim it's exactly the same and think they are smart by "saving" €200.

Squidgy Black

Pov06 wrote: »

Because they claim it's exactly the same and think they are smart by "saving" €200.

Have you actually had any experience with any of the policies that include the tracking devices?

TheTomahawk

Pov06 wrote: »

Because they claim it's exactly the same and think they are smart by "saving" €200.

So reading through the policy documentation, there is no difference in cover or excess. Using the tracker provides a discount on the premium. If I decide to not use the tracker, or don't use it enough, then they will take more money to make the premium the same as if I had taken out the insurance without the premium.

So, that sounds like it's exactly the same policy to me (apart from me selling them data for a discount). Should I be involved in an accident, the cover is exactly the same, tracker or no tracker.

In fact I wonder how many people have went for insurance with a tracker only to not notice that the savings they make may be lost because their excess is much higher with the tracker.

The excess is the same.

It's not the same cover. Cover with a tracker has a lot of disadvantages and the €200 is well spent for any hassle you may have in the future.

The cover is the same.

Pov06

TheTomahawk wrote: »

So reading through the policy documentation, there is no difference in cover or excess. Using the tracker provides a discount on the premium. If I decide to not use the tracker, or don't use it enough, then they will take more money to make the premium the same as if I had taken out the insurance without the premium.

So, that sounds like it's exactly the same policy to me (apart from me selling them data for a discount). Should I be involved in an accident, the cover is exactly the same, tracker or no tracker.



The excess is the same.



The cover is the same.

Fair enough. When I initially said I'd rather pay €200 more towards a different insurance company rather than Boxymo.ie it made sense for me since using the tracker was not optional. The tracker would be hard-wired into the car.

If it's optional then I agree - why not.

TheTomahawk

Pov06 wrote: »

Fair enough. When I initially said I'd rather pay €200 more towards a different insurance company rather than Boxymo.ie it made sense for me since using the tracker was not optional. The tracker would be hard-wired into the car.

Yeah, in the case, I would agree with you. The AIG model is a different one - worth looking at (without the tracker, their comprehensive insurance was still €100 cheaper than the cheapest AA, and FBD. And €600 less than 123.ie, whatever they were thinking...!)

positron

Any update on how those who have the driver app is doing since? Any updates in general? I am considering switching to AIG but need to explain to the other half about this app and how it works etc, and emm lets just say pessimism is strong with this one.

tomaso11

I got it Jan and never had any issues with them, app doesn't always start at the beginning/end of the journey but over all works well. I got a letter after I completed the 500km and they sent the money back to my account with the discount they promised.

Although, there is no need to keep it after that I haven't removed so far.