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Automakers are sharing consumers' driving behavior with insurance companies

nytimes.com

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Re: Automakers are sharing consumers' driving behavior with insurance companies

#321

Post by ProllyInfamous »

beej71 wrote: post #103
batch12 wrote: post #13

When I got my last car, it had a sticker instructing me to press the SOS button to opt out of data collection. The gentleman that answered acted confused when I made the request, taking the stance that he wasn't aware of data collection from the car and maybe I should contact the manufacturer. It was only after I read him the sticker text verbatim that he went into a scripted response and confirmed the opt out. Shady…

I was looking at the Prius Prime for a next car--thanks for the heads-up!

Prius Prime has a single fuse [labeled `DCS`] which, once removed, actually disables the computer module which connects to the two cell antenna.

Re: Automakers are sharing consumers' driving behavior with insurance companies

#322

Post by ProllyInfamous »

themaninthedark wrote: post #91
fn-mote wrote: post #2

> In recent years, automakers [...] have started offering optional features in their connected-car apps that rate people’s driving. At least the programs are (currently) opt-in. This amusing anecdote is buried: > One driver lamented having data collected during a “track day,” while testing out the Corvette’s limits on a professional racetrack. > [...] he was denied auto insurance by seven companies [...]

There is another commenter further up that says they had to opt out on a Toyota and the rep acted like he didn't know until the opt out text was read verbatim. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39667268

I just purchased a Camry Hybrid from a Toyota dealership. The operator tried to tell me that "because I financed it they cannot turn off analytics." I had not financing, paid cash.

Pressing the SOS button to cancel [as sticker suggested] was met with so much difficulty that (while the operator was on the line still) I found the fuse panel and pulled out `DCS` to disconnect the call/tracking. This ended our trasmission.

Re: Automakers are sharing consumers' driving behavior with insurance companies

#323

Post by op00to »

rurp wrote: post #206
tiltowait wrote: post #131

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I did pest control for a while, and my truck was equipped with a monitoring device that would beep if it detected unsafe driving. The thing was inconsistent enough to be nearly indistinguishible from random. It sometimes nagged me while driving straight at normal speeds, or going over a pot hole, or just stopping like normal at a stop light. At other times, it wouldn't go off for what should have been obvious "offens…

I drove a newer Subaru for a couple days and it had a "feature" like this with a camera pointed at the driver that would beep if it thought you weren't paying enough attention. Just like the pest control truck it was innacurate to the point of being totally useless and very annoying. The stupidest part was that it couldn't be disabled. I was a happy Subaru owner for many years but the driver camera and a few other mo…

It seems that in at least some models it can be disabled.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1xLD_UKUEY

Re: Automakers are sharing consumers' driving behavior with insurance companies

#324

Post by op00to »

RandomBacon wrote: post #51
mycologos wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If it's so telling then tell us, enough with the dark innuendos!

Appearing "safe" via slow speeds and slow turns does not equal "safe" in the real world. Unless the car has cameras staring at you, it doesn't know if you're checking your mirrors before lane-changes, going 10-under the limit in the far left lane on a busy highway, etc. Even then, cameras aren't good because assuming people are telling the truth when they use test-taking software, there are false positives that have…

> People not willing to change lanes is how you get more traffic and more dangerous driving overall.

This is false. Lane changing, causing others to slow down, is a leading cause of traffic waves.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S01912...

"Frequent lane-changes in highway merging, diverging, and weaving areas could disrupt traffic flow and, even worse, lead to accidents."

Re: Automakers are sharing consumers' driving behavior with insurance companies

#325

Post by beej71 »

bradleybuda wrote: post #264
beej71 wrote: post #104

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've avoided accidents by hard breaking twice in the last two years, once from deer bounding into the road, and once from a deaf old cat walking into the street. I haven't been cited for anything in decades, and have never been in an at-fault accident. I drive the speed limit and have a dashcam. With the deer, I was actually 10 MPH under the limit. So should my rates go up for these incidents where I successfully avo…

Did your rates go up? Or is this a straw man argument?

They didn't, since my insurer was unaware of these events.

Re: Automakers are sharing consumers' driving behavior with insurance companies

#326

Post by beej71 »

ProllyInfamous wrote: post #321
beej71 wrote: post #103

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was looking at the Prius Prime for a next car--thanks for the heads-up!

Prius Prime has a single fuse [labeled `DCS`] which, once removed, actually disables the computer module which connects to the two cell antenna.

This is excellent news. Thanks!

Re: Automakers are sharing consumers' driving behavior with insurance companies

#328

Post by ProllyInfamous »

beej71 wrote: post #326
ProllyInfamous wrote: post #321

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Prius Prime has a single fuse [labeled `DCS`] which, once removed, actually disables the computer module which connects to the two cell antenna.

This is excellent news. Thanks!

I test drove a Prius Prime, and ended up purchasing a Camry Hybrid (instead). Was less expensive, and is much better on the highway [gets 51+mpg].

Re: Automakers are sharing consumers' driving behavior with insurance companies

#330

Post by rkagerer »

elevenones wrote: post #101

(From the Toyota Connected Services Disclaimer) Your Responsibilities Your responsibilities include: (1) informing passengers and drivers of your vehicle that data is collected and used by us, and (2) notifying us of a sale or transfer of your vehicle. If you do not notify us of a sale or transfer, we may continue to send data about the vehicle to the subscriber's Account Information currently on file, and we are not…

This is why I like paper contracts. I would simply cross out a stupid clause like this before signing.

99% of the time the rep doesn't care, and if the company can't be bothered to put someone on the other side of the table who is actually paying attention or has bargaining power then they deserve it.

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