Car insurance
Black Box Car Insurance
car cover priced partly on how, when and where you drive, using a fitted box, a plug-in device or an app
Car cover priced partly on your driving, recorded by a box, plug-in device or app. Understanding the score, any curfew and how the data is used matters as much as the price.
- Fitted box, plug-in or app
- Priced partly on your driving
- Popular with young and new drivers
- FCA authorised and regulated
Quick answerBlack box car insurance, also called telematics, uses a fitted box, plug-in device or smartphone app to record how, when and where you drive. Smooth, careful driving can help the price at renewal, and some policies give feedback or rewards along the way. Some set curfews or mileage limits. It can suit young and new drivers in particular. Enter your registration and UK providers can come back with quotes.
This page is about telematics car insurance. Drivers under 25 are covered in more detail on our young drivers car insurance page.
At a glance
Black Box Cover, in Brief
Six things that decide how black box car insurance behaves, before any of the detail.
- The device
- A fitted box, plug-in device or app
- Driving score
- Speed, braking, cornering and acceleration
- When you drive
- Late-night driving can weigh on the score
- Mileage
- Some policies set a mileage allowance
- Your data
- How it is used and shared
- Who it suits
- Young, new and careful drivers
The basics
What Is Black Box Car Insurance?
Car insurance that uses a device or app to record your driving. The cover is the same as a standard policy, but the price and terms can reflect how you actually drive.
Third-party cover
Injury to others and damage to their property.
Fire and theft
Your car if stolen or burnt out, on higher levels.
Comprehensive cover
Damage to your own car as well.
Driving feedback
Scores and tips through an app, on many policies.
Theft tracking
Some boxes can help locate a stolen car.
Crash data
Can help show what happened in an accident.
How it works
How Does Black Box Car Insurance Work?
You buy the policy, the device is fitted or the app installed, and your driving data feeds your score and the price at renewal.
You choose a policy
Standard cover levels, with a box, plug-in device or app.
The device is set up
Fitted by an engineer, plugged in, or installed on your phone.
You drive as normal
The device records speed, braking, time of day and mileage.
Your score shapes the price
Careful driving can help at renewal, and poor driving can raise it.
What it covers
What Does Black Box Car Insurance Cover?
The usual levels of car cover, with a driving score and, on some policies, curfews and mileage allowances.
| Section | Where it sits | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Injury and damage to others | Core | Included at every level |
| Fire and theft | Core on higher levels | Some boxes help track a stolen car |
| Accidental damage | Comprehensive | Crash data can support a claim |
| Driving score | Core to telematics | Feeds the price at renewal |
| Curfew | On some policies | Limits on late-night driving |
| Mileage allowance | On some policies | Extra miles can cost more |
| Device fitting | Part of the policy | Charges vary, so check |
The score can cut both ways. Careful driving can lower the price at renewal, but poor driving can raise it or, on some policies, lead to cancellation.
Exclusions
What Black Box Car Insurance Does Not Include
Cover can exclude breaking curfew or mileage terms, tampering with the device, undeclared drivers, and driving while unfit.
Breaking a curfew
Driving during restricted hours, where a curfew applies.
Tampering with the device
Removing or blocking the box or app.
Going over the mileage allowance
Without topping it up.
Undeclared drivers
Someone driving who is not named.
Undeclared use
Commuting or business not shown on the policy.
Driving while unfit
Under the influence of drink or drugs.
Types
Types of Black Box Policy
Telematics comes in a few forms. The device and the policy terms shape how it works.
Fitted box
Installed in the car by an engineer.
Plug-in device
A small device you fit yourself.
Smartphone app
Uses your phone to record driving.
Curfew policies
Set limits on late-night driving.
Mileage-based policies
Priced by how far you drive.
Learner and new driver policies
Aimed at the first years of driving.
More detail? See our black box car insurance guide.
Who it suits
Who Black Box Car Insurance Suits
Drivers who are happy to have their driving recorded in return for pricing that reflects it.
Young drivers
Where standard prices can be high.
New drivers
In their first years on the road.
Low-mileage drivers
Who drive little.
Careful drivers
Who want their driving to count.
Students
Driving at university and home.
Daytime drivers
Who rarely drive late at night.
Just passed? See our new driver car insurance page.
Black box or standard
Black Box Cover vs a Standard Policy
A standard policy is priced on your details alone. A black box policy adds how you actually drive, which can help or hurt at renewal.
| Black box policy | Standard policy | |
|---|---|---|
| Priced on | Your details and your driving | Your details alone |
| Curfews | On some policies | None |
| Mileage limits | On some policies | Declared estimate |
| Data recorded | Yes | No |
Want the highest level of cover? See our fully comprehensive car insurance page.
Cost
What Black Box Car Insurance Is Priced On
Your details, the car, where it is kept, and then your driving score, time of day and mileage. We do not print average premiums.
Why your details still lead
The starting price is based on your age, experience, car and postcode, like any policy.
Why your driving matters too
Smooth braking, sensible speeds and fewer late-night miles can help the price at renewal.
What the quote is rated on
The main factors
- Your detailsAge, experience and historyBase
- The carGroup and valueRate
- Driving scoreSpeed, braking and corneringAdjust
- Time of dayLate-night drivingAdjust
- MileageHow far you driveAdjust
Smooth driving
Gentle braking and acceleration help the score.
Daytime driving
Fewer late-night miles can help.
Accurate mileage
Choose an allowance that fits.
The details
The Driving and Device Details That Decide a Black Box Policy
Black box policies can turn on how you drive and look after the device. Four details come up again and again.
Keep to any curfew
Where the policy limits late-night driving, keep to it or check the exceptions.
Leave the device alone
Do not remove, block or unplug it, and report any faults promptly.
Watch your mileage
Top up the allowance before you run out, if the policy has one.
Only named drivers drive
Everyone who drives affects the score and needs to be on the policy.
Quote checklist
What You Will Be Asked for a Black Box Quote
Six things shape the quote: you, the car, how it is used, where it is kept, any claims or convictions, and the type of device.
The car
Registration, model and insurance group.
The drivers
Everyone who will drive, and their licences.
Claims and convictions
Recent claims and any motoring convictions.
How it is used
Social, commuting or business, and mileage.
Where it is kept
Postcode and overnight parking.
The device
Fitted box, plug-in or app.
Comparing
Checking Black Box Quotes Side by Side
Four areas decide whether a policy suits you: the cover, the excess, the telematics terms, and the wider terms. The price is only one of them.
The cover
- Level of cover and courtesy car
- Windscreen cover
- Driving other cars
The excess
- Compulsory excess
- Voluntary excess
- Windscreen excess
Telematics terms
- Curfew rules
- Mileage allowance
- How the score affects renewal
Terms
- No claims bonus protection
- European driving
- Paying monthly or upfront
Read the curfew and score terms. They decide how the policy works day to day. Unfamiliar terms are explained in our plain English jargon guide.
Cutting costs
How to Reduce the Cost of Black Box Car Insurance
The levers are careful driving, the car you choose, the excess and how you buy. We publish no savings figures.
Drive smoothly
Gentle braking and acceleration help the score.
Avoid late-night driving
Where it counts against the score.
Choose a lower group car
Insurance group has a big effect.
Choose the excess deliberately
A higher voluntary excess is a lever, worth using only at a level you could pay.
Pay annually if you can
Paying monthly can cost more overall.
Compare before renewal
Check the market each year.
Glossary
Black Box Insurance Terms Explained
The words that come up most on a black box insurance schedule.
- Telematics
- Technology that records how, when and where a car is driven.
- Black box
- A device fitted to the car to record driving.
- Plug-in device
- A small telematics device you fit yourself.
- Driving score
- A rating based on your recorded driving.
- Curfew
- A limit on driving at certain times.
- Main driver
- The person who drives the car most.
- Named driver
- Someone else allowed to drive the car under the policy.
- No claims bonus
- A discount built up through claim-free years.
- Compulsory excess
- The part of a claim the insurer sets that you pay.
- Voluntary excess
- An extra amount you choose to pay on a claim.
Why MyMoneyComparison.com
Why Compare Black Box Car Insurance with MyMoneyComparison.com?
MyMoneyComparison.com is an FCA-authorised UK comparison service that introduces drivers to specialist brokers. We do not sell insurance and we do not give advice: the broker you choose arranges the policy. Using us is free.
One form, one car
Describe the car once, instead of repeating yourself to each broker.
Advice given
We are an introducer, not a broker. We do not sell policies and we do not recommend one insurer or product over another. Read our editorial policy.
Authorised and regulated
MyMoneyComparison.com Ltd appears on the FCA register under FRN 916241.
Incorporated
A UK company since 2013. FCA authorisation is separate and later; the register carries its date.
FAQs
Black Box Car Insurance FAQs
Answers on how black boxes work, scores, curfews, data and fitting.
What is black box car insurance?
Car insurance that uses a fitted box, plug-in device or smartphone app to record how, when and where you drive. Your driving can then help shape the price, particularly at renewal.
How does a black box work?
It records things such as speed, braking, acceleration, cornering, time of day and mileage. The insurer turns this into a driving score, which can affect your premium.
Will a black box make my insurance cheaper?
It can, if you drive carefully. Smooth, sensible driving can help the price at renewal. Poor driving can have the opposite effect, so it suits drivers confident in their habits.
Who is black box insurance for?
It is popular with young and new drivers, where standard prices can be high, but any careful driver can use it. Low-mileage and daytime drivers can also benefit.
Are there curfews?
Some black box policies set curfews that limit driving late at night, sometimes with exceptions for work. Others simply weigh late-night driving in the score. Check the terms.
Is there a mileage limit?
Some policies include a mileage allowance, with extra miles available to buy. Going over without topping up can cost more or affect cover, so choose a realistic allowance.
Who fits the black box?
Some boxes are fitted by an engineer at a time that suits you. Plug-in devices and apps you set up yourself. Fitting charges vary by provider, so check before you buy.
What data is collected?
Speed, braking, acceleration, cornering, location, time of day and mileage are common. The insurer’s privacy notice explains how the data is used, stored and shared.
Can my data be used after an accident?
Yes. Crash data can help show what happened, which may support your side of a claim. It can also show if the car was driven carelessly.
Can someone else drive my car?
Only named drivers, and their driving affects the score too. Make sure everyone who drives is on the policy and drives carefully, as one poor driver can pull the score down.
What happens if my driving is poor?
The insurer may send warnings, raise the price at renewal or, on some policies, cancel the cover. Many apps give feedback so you can improve before that happens.
Can I remove the black box?
No, not while the policy is live. Removing, blocking or tampering with the device can breach the terms. Tell the insurer if you sell the car or the device develops a fault.
Does a black box help if my car is stolen?
Some boxes can help locate a stolen car using GPS data. This depends on the device, so check whether tracking is part of the service.
Can I have a black box on a modified car?
Often, yes, though modifications still need declaring and may affect the price. Ask whether the insurer offers telematics for your car, and declare every change when you get a quote.
Is a smartphone app as good as a box?
Apps can work well and avoid fitting, but they rely on your phone being with you and set up correctly. Check how the insurer handles journeys where the app does not record.
How do I compare black box quotes?
Look beyond the price to the device type, curfew rules, mileage allowance, how the score affects renewal, the total excess and the level of cover.
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About this page
This page explains UK black Box Car Insurance: what it covers, what it leaves out, and how the driving data and policy conditions decide a claim. It is general information rather than advice. Policies differ between insurers, so read your own documents and put the questions raised here to your insurer or broker.
How we approached this page
- Published UK telematics car policy summaries
- Driving score, curfew and data terms
- Financial Ombudsman material on motor insurance complaints
Legal & Regulatory Information:
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