I wouldn't subject myself to a voluntary tracking system even if I'm a responsible driver. I still like to have fun from time to time and I'd rather not have an additional device track my every move and submit the information to an insurance company where it can be used against me. I might drive safely, but if some one cuts me off and I have to abruptly stop, or steer and accelerate around the obstacle I don't need the insurance company knowing this and assuming I was making an unsafe maneuver and deciding to charge me 2-3x as much or more.

However since you're committed to doing so I don't think its a good idea to try and remove the door as you're likely to cause damage, is there no way it will close with the obd II dongle in place?

 

Actually, they're very clear that using the Snapshot device cannot *increase* your rates at all. The worst you can get is 5% less than you pay now (you get 5% off just for signing up for the program, no matter the results). If you drive even remotely conservatively you'll likely save 15-20% every month.

It doesn't judge single actions against you though. It's more about your average. If you don't make wild maneuvers throughout the month on a normal basis it won't affect your % off at all.

 

I thought I read in another post that the ODB2 port can be "popped out" so that it hangs inside there. That way you can plug the device in and hide everything behind the door still. Maybe that could work for you?

 

You can remove the OBD-11 receptical from it's current location, plug in your snap-shot(shudder at the thought) and then tape it up under the dash. As far as I recall it's a snap fit. However it is held in there, it's pretty simple to remove.

Thanks! I'll give that a try!


Regarding the privacy issues: I'm well aware of the implications of sending my data to an insurance company. They say they won't use the data to raise my rates. If they lie and raise my rates because of the data I send them, there's dozens of other insurers out there willing to take my business.

 

You can remove the OBD-11 receptical from it's current location, plug in your snap-shot(shudder at the thought) and then tape it up under the dash. As far as I recall it's a snap fit. However it is held in there, it's pretty simple to remove.

 

Did anybody notice the part where the OP was curious as how to handle to OBD-2 port door? Holy conspiranoia!



After having just taken a look it appears as this should work. The only other option would be to cut the door off at the hinge with a razor blade being the door and hinge itself are part of the mold that make up the entire knee bolster.

 

A little Progressive Insurance tidbit....

Matt Fisher Describes How Progressive Insurance Defended His Sister’s Killer....

http://www.mediaite.com/tv/on-cbs-this-morning-matt-fisher-describes-how-progressive-insurance-defended-his-sisters-killer/

Issues like that aside, there is no way on God's green Earth that I would EVER sign up for a program like "Snap Shot".

 

Snapshot would molest my rates probably as I weekly drive a 35 mile stretch of freshly paved yet untraveled winding road.

 

both of my cars are too old for the system anyway. lol.

sounds like how my focus was though. I had a scan gauge hooked to it and just snapped off the door.

 

Oh god, please don't plug that thing in. The more people voluntarily do it, the sooner it will be mandated.

 

It does amaze me that one would subject themselves to such bullsheet.

The word "sheeple" comes to mind.............[eek]

 

Also, not sure why the tinfoil-hat-wearing crowd in here has such a problem with snapshot. It doesn't record anything other than hard accelerations/decelerations, hard turns, average daily miles, and around when those miles were driven.

It can't track anything useful, personal, or dangerous. Your computer already records this information, and most modern cars store that info for weeks (or longer). Unless you wipe the computer every time you go to a dealership...that info is still being saved. It's anonymous, but many dealerships still randomly grab info from the computers to see how drivers use their automobiles. It's not a high percentage of cars, but I'd say they do it on around 10-15% of all cars that come through.

 

I'm still with the guys that think this snapshot is just a bad idea overall. I don't trust Insurance companies AT ALL!. Look at what they did with Credit checks to determine your rate. I don't need to tell you what complete BS that one is.

I wouldn't ever put it past Insurance Companies to one day mandate these devices and use it as a simple way to justify rate hikes.
Everyone has exceeded the speed limit, Brake hard, make an unexpected maneuver, etc.

I know they're telling you they'll never be used to raise your rates now. Who's telling you that? I rest my case!. lol

 

My personal freedoms are worth more than the measly 5% savings they offer. I thought we were in 2012, not back in 1984? I don't need big brother watching everything I do.

Posted from my galaxy S3 via FF Mobile

 

I agree but it's kinda funny that this is coming from someone with an android. Unless you have modified it all androids store location data and input data and sent it off. My iPhone however is jailbroken and have removed such features
But yeah the whole tracking deal is very skech


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Posted via FF Mobile Agreed, why would anyone, except someone who drives like grandma, put one of these in your car. It literally tracks what your doing and sends it to the insurance company. IMO you are all guinie pigs right now, and soon this will be MANDATED to be in every car covered under insurance. This one is right up there with red light cameras. This is not tin foil hat speech, this is reality. Companies are out there to make money, even insurance companies, and if you think for a second they are doing everything in the customers best interest, you're living under a rock. It wont be long before the government and the rest of the insurance companies say, wow what a great idea, we can track these peoples driving behaviors, find out whose going where, and sell it under the guise that you'll save money...you just gotta let us sit in the car with you. Now everyone has one and everyone might as well go buy a prius, because whats the point of buying a mustang or ferrari or lambo or any sort of car that moves faster then sludge. They'll just hit you with a rate hike, possible dmv fines, or drop you all together. Rant over....

 

If this bull crap becomes standard law... I'll be royally pissed. I'm kind of a laissez faire guy...people bothering my business...well bothers me

 

You guys are making such a big deal out of something that hasn't even happened. Don't stress yourselves. I'm a gun owner in New York state (5th strictest state) and know several others that don't get nearly as worked up about them "taking away our guns". Driving is a privilege, not a right. Gun ownership is a right, not a privilege. It's like the Twilight Zone!

 

You guys are making such a big deal out of something that hasn't even happened. Don't stress yourselves.
Driving is a privilege, not a right.

You are correct, but after doing my time in the USN to protect our freedoms, including disagreeing with each other, I WILL NOT relinquish those rights and freedoms to anyone, especially a corporation bent on making more money by screwing over their own customers.

Oh, I told my kids that driving is a privilege when they were learning to drive so much that they were afraid to drive by themselves when they got their license.

 

Bicycles don't have OBDII ports...#justsayin

 

All I meant was our freedom to drive they way we decide, with out big brother looking over our shoulder. I can afford to skip this so called discount on my insurance and keep big brother out of my backseat.

BTW, your welcome, but no thanks are needed.

 

It's not being called mandatory yet because not enough people are doing it to show a profit growth large enough to push and show the government. These things don't stay "private" if it can make everyone money.

 

OK. So where's the profit growth when it's used to lower rates and guaranteed not to raise them?

 

ive had the e-surance equivalent to snapshot on all three of my vehicles for almost 6 months. my sister drives the mustang pretty wild and i drive both my other cars like a teen sometimes. my rates havent gone up from it. plus it was a 10% discount off my bill. i could care less if they know where im at. idgaf. as long as im able to save money and get my kids stuff with it. but to the original post i just popped out the obd connector from the bottom dash and connect the device and zip tied it to some wires. no rattle or nothing and the latch close. i always forget its there.

 

If you REALLY shop around for insurance, you'll find that Progressive and Geico are 2 of the most expensive. I figure that is because of the huge amounts they spend on advertising.

 

When doing my shopping I found Allstate and Geico to be more than Progressive, but if you go to the little guys around here you have a huge chance of them not even paying your claim at all. E-Surance was more than all three, forgot to mention that.

 

E-Surance is a sub teir of Allstate anyhow, so that doesn't surprise me that they would play games with the rates.

 

When I went shopping for my insurance, esurance was the cheapest for me. And I want to do progressives snapshot but I would have to unplug it every time I hit a twisty!

 

My Android is rooted and all features removed as well.

 

Good job!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Not sure whats with all of you skeptics out there. I used snapshot from last April to October. Prior to that, I checked rates and for me Progressive was still the best deal for me, even before snapshot. This is great for people, like the OP, who have really short daily commutes (I also only have a 5 mile roundtrip.) It's not that hard to not drive like you stole the car for six months, especially since you get this discount going forward, regardless if you switch cars.

It mainly records three things; Sudden decrease in speed (7mph/second,) driving at high risk times (12am-4am is the riskiest, then rush hour times is a medium) and total miles driven (which imo counted the most.) I'd assume you could get dinged if you went unsafely fast as well, i didnt try but there were no metrics on their site that listed anything about max speed.

The one I had the hardest time curbing was sudden decrease in speed. I found I had to really grandma it coming to stops. Of course there are inevitable times where you have to slam the brakes but its not like if you do it once your discount goes out the window. They also graph your results on their website, so you can get a really good idea of how you are driving, i found my self checking it often and then tried to get the best numbers possible.

After the first 30 days, I got a 20% discount immediately applied to my plan; read: my monthly bill for the next five months went down. By the end of the six months, I was at the full 30%. Ive renewed twice since and the discount is really nice. I dont care what your rate is, a 30% discount is sweet.

 

I'm insured through USAA which is dirt cheap, but I wouldn't use this particular device anyway. That said I think it's a good deal for many people, after all somebody that commutes 1,000 miles a month pays the same rates as somebody who commutes 100 miles a month. The person driving a fraction of the distance is at lower risk of being involved in an accident and they should get a discount for that. As was already mentioned, almost every new car comes with some sort of an EDR and can be accessed under a court order by law enforcement. Between that and all of the road cams, red light cameras and the gps in your car big brother has been watching for a while now...