Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Eff The Snapshot Discount










I just saw a commercial for Progressive Auto Insurance and they were hawking this product called Snapshot Discount.

What the hell is Snapshot Discount? Glad you asked.

Snapshot Discount is a program where you can save up to 30% on your car insurance. "Sweet," you say! "I drive a car and up to 30% is a lot! How does it work?"

Here’s how it works:

Plug the device into your car.
We’ll mail your Snapshot device to you, along with details on where to plug it into your car.

Okay. They send you a ‘device’ and you plug it into your car. It ‘keeps track’ of your good driving habits over the next 30 days. Doesn’t say anything about pointing it through your windshield or putting it on your dashboard. Doesn’t say anything about taking pictures. Just says ‘keeps track’ of your driving habits. You’d think – or most of their customers would think, they hope – that the word Snapshot means taking pictures?  

In this case, no. 

The Snapshot device records vehicle speed and time of day, and when the device is connected and disconnected from the vehicle. It also records the Vehicle Identification Number upon installation. Other information, such as miles driven and rates of acceleration and braking, is derived from the speed and time information recorded by the device.

‘Such as’ miles driven? ‘Such as’ phone conversations? ‘Such as’ what you had for lunch and how much change is in your pocket? Maybe. Who knows? Doesn’t say.

So basically, “Even though we’re already raping your wallet and offering little to no help when you actually need it, we’re going to collect sensitive information about you, your car and your driving habits and, in return, you can pay us a little bit less money.” That sounds just great.

Thankfully:

The Snapshot device does not contain GPS technology and does not track vehicle location or whether you’re exceeding the speed limit. We also don’t know who is driving the car

Well, that’s good news. And the other good news is

We will not sell personally identifiable Snapshot data to any third parties.

But they will give it to the police if you get into an accident and they will disclose it

As otherwise required by law.

As ‘otherwise’ required by law, like when the Feds start collecting all your personal information to enslave and control the masses? Perhaps. Perhaps not.  Who knows? Doesn’t say.
Oh, but drivers in Alabama, Georgia, Kansas, Rhode Island and South Carolina? If you want the Snapshot Discount:

The most you can save with Snapshot is 25 percent, which will be applied at the first policy renewal after enrolling in Snapshot. You could get a participation discount of up to 10 percent when you sign up for Snapshot. During each policy term you participate in Snapshot, you’ll be charged a $30 technology expense, which covers the cost of using the device to securely send your driving information.

Not only do you get less of a discount, you have to pay to get the discount! Awesome!

Who the hell, I’d like to know, is dumb enough to put this shit in their car?

41 comments:

  1. Well, Roger, rather a lot of people.

    Their conclusion, and not an unreasonable one is that the potential loss of privacy is well offset by the savings.

    This is particularly true when you realize that the device plugs into the cars diagnostic port and is taking braking, acceleration and speed info from the in-car computer that is recording that stuff all the time anyway, so the cops can read out the last few minutes when you get in a wreck anyway.

    Makes sense to me

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    Replies
    1. just read all the terms and conditions. doesnt look like a conspiracy to me man.

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  2. My conclusion - aside from the fact you're not very observant because you spelled my name wrong - is that you're a very presumptuous individual, presuming that a) I would get in a wreck in the first place and b) I give a shit about what makes sense to you. Go write a blog.

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  3. I agree this thing really is creepy. I'm so glad they patented it so other companies will think twice about investing in something so unappetizing.

    Anyone who lets this thing in their car for "up to" 30% off is crazy.

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  4. one aspect that is missed is for individuals for more then one vehicle. I signed up for this service since I have a car, truck, motorcycle. I have the car and truck on the program. I called several insurance companies, and they do not take into account that I'm one person who can't drive 3 vehicles at the same time. With the snapshot device, my truck and car do not move on days when I take my motorcycle. As the other person mentioned, the device is plugged into the OBC port, so it is collecting data already available to law enforcement.

    I will be getting a significant savings otherwise unavailable through other insurance companies. In fact, I am beating the system by borrowing my father's vehicle if I need to drive long distances, so my mileage will be well below average.

    As far as the poster who thinks people would be crazy for using this device... with on-star, iphones, gps systems... this device has nothing on what's already out there if people want to track you.

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  5. You sir, a seemingly intelligent, pocketbook-savvy consumer with multiple vehicles, are clearly not my target audience. How you caught wind of a shitcorner blog like this, I shall never know. Please return my soapbox when you get the chance. Cheers!

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  6. Can my cock have on also so it can record how fast my cock goes in ur mouth! U faggot

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  7. I love how the give you a discount for driving "during safer times of the day". So what, they count it against you if you drive during rush hour? What does that have to do with the quality of your driving? And the midnight to 4 AM limitation is strange as well...what makes 3 AM any more dangerous than 5AM? What makes 11 PM safer than 12 AM?

    Either way, a hacker would have a field day with this thing. I wonder how long it'll be before someone figures out a way to change the recorded info on it LOL

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  8. raaajjaaah you fucking make me laugh !

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  9. insurance hikes, cancellations, denials...any one else concerned this devises or the like will become mandatory w/ all insurance companies in the future? just say'n

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  10. we got a 30% discount, no problems a great product!!

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  11. Insurance is a scam in the first place. Why would you even acknowledge a deal for a scam?

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    Replies
    1. I'm with you all the way I have a perfect 30 years driving record and no claims and pay an outrageous rate because of the zone I live in? Car insurance is the biggest legal scam going!

      Delete
  12. Wow, a device to save you up to 30% off your already over priced Progressive insurance. What a deal.

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  13. People who give up their freedom and privacy so willingly deserve to be framed and spend time in jail for something they didn't do. Hey Jeff can I get a sample of your DNA?

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  14. Charlie mississippiJune 22, 2011 at 10:39 PM

    Roger, I am in agreement with you, but these nuts posting in here are funny. The guy with multiple cars saying he got a good a savings? The stupid ass uses his fathers truck to drive long distance? Lol insurance screwing him, he screwing the insurance and his dad.

    News flash to everyone.... The police cant "plug into your car and find out anything. Thats stupid logic. But this demon device transmits data somehow.. So they have constant feed.

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  15. Saw the ad for Prog's "Snapshot" just now and did a search, which is how I found this blog.

    I much prefer the way MileMeter insurance works. You buy insurance in increments of 1000 miles at a time. They have you send a picture of your odometer and driver's license in the same picture. No electronic OBD monitoring device to plug in and record your driving. Too bad it isn't available in a lot of places.

    "When you purchase or renew a policy, we'll ask for a digital photograph of your car's odometer, with your driver license visible in the photograph."

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  16. Yes, Edgardo! I don't know how my blog got so high on the google search but I'm all for it. The MileMeter sounds interesting. I wonder if you could just take a picture of your friend's identical car's odometer with lower mileage?

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  17. Dear Author,

    I salute you for your well written article and your keen observations, you are 100% correct. The first time I saw their commercial I fell off my couch in disbelief. This is a device to spy on people and collect sensitive information, information that to the untrained eye, seems utterly harmless, but is anything but. The 30% savings is just a cover story, a front, and they actually don’t give you the 30%, that’s just the maximum you can receive if you meet all of their “ideal requirements,” which is virtually impossible. The multiple restrictions alone should be a red flag to any prudent man.

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  18. what information could my insurance company want. How fast I am driving. Who cares where you are driving. I even make trips to my local dealer and still get my insurance discount.

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  19. i would first like to comment to say i enjoyed the article.

    secondly, OBDII does not save information other than engine codes. so the claims that police can get the information another way is false.

    lastly, ANY, and i mean any, monitoring device added to you or your property should be illegal. anyone who does this and says it's not a big deal is ignorant to the fact this is just a stepping stone to deeper monitoring. just wait until things like this are REQUIRED just to GET or KEEP insurance. this is some real 1984 style shit if you ask me and i would refuse to even use this insurance company.

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  20. Where does it say it's mandatory to do this?

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  21. I used the snapshot discount and got a 28% discount for my first 6 month policy. Now I receive a 25% discount for all future policies, and I drive a lot. I work in a different city than I live in and my fiance lives in another city as well. I think it is worth it.

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  22. You are such an ignorant fuckhole. You complain about everyone with a different opinion and dismess them as if they shouldn't voice their thoughts. If you don't want replies don't make a public blog.

    The snapshot doesn't send any sensitive information, and you said that yourself, it sends speeds, acceleration, and braking information, as to determine discount eligibility(sp). As for the $30 fee; that is nohing when you consider someone with 1 newer car with full coverage insurance pays $1500+ yearly premium 30% savings let's you keep 450 even with the technology price you still save a good portion of money on your insurance.

    Clearly you are a paranoid individual who fears the goverment, but you will say otherwise. Your more ignorant and one sided than most of the people you know and hate to lose arguments. Pardon me for these assumptions sir.

    Yours truly,
    Pogo

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  23. Fuck PEOPLE -- would you learn to spell please? Your lack of written English skills clearly betrays your hillbilly backgrounds.

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  24. If you got a quote from other insurance companues you can probably find one 30% less. Progressive is way overpriced. I had them and switched to state farm and saved $160 a half for identical coverage

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  25. That dipshit that refers to himself as pogo needs to put down the kool-aid and wake the hell up.

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  26. nah, pogo's right. why would you give a shit that if progressive finds out how much or when you drive? "They're spying on me! Wahhh!" If you hae insurance, they already have your bank account info, retards.

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  27. It's apparent that a lot of people online on these have never worked in any form of consumer analysis based occupation... Oh wow, 75% of our drivers drive 72 mph, through this part of town, and 50 through this part... maybe we should put more billboards up in the area where it's slower...

    Now this is an isolated example, but I mean... come on, TRY to extrapolate (EXPAND) on this idea... It IS extremely sad that people allow these invasions into their life without the SLIGHTEST clue as to how it effects them... JUST DO SOME FREAKIN' RESEARCH!

    Also... there's a spell-check available in this comment box... wtf has happened to the English language, or people's ability to spell???

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  28. YALL SOUND LIKE A BUNCH OF BITCHES ON THERE PERIOD

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  29. eye spell just fine. when eye was just thirteen, eye one my 1st spelling be. eye was so excited, i didnt even finish english class the wrest of the year. eye think i spelled olive this correctly, didnt eye? ...know words wrong hear!

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  30. Aaaah dude, whoever you are. You're awesome. Thank you.

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  31. Yaeh, yoo tell them annonamouse yer a reely gud speelar, eye can see

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  32. RodgerJames all I really have to say to you is that you are a douche and what is wrong with America and the world over...I feel bad for the people around you as well as your family....also may you get in a wreck because as we all know it is ALWAYS 100% in our control..<is only something a douche would think such as your self but hey to each his own...and go ahead and make your sly remarks and your "wanna be" witty comments back I hope it makes you feel awesome about your shit life. Oh and here is a quote for you

    "Winning and argument online is like winning the special Olympics in the end you are still retarded"

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  33. That was HIGHLY entertaining. I think that was the first time I have read a blog and ALL the replies.

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  34. What really makes me laugh, is the amount of paranoid idiots on here that believe this device is going to send the "government", and other covert agencies info that these people already know, and if they did not, they would find out anyway. Most people who drive a car and can afford insurance generally have a cell phone, obviously a license, internet, perhaps credit cards, banks accounts, etc... So the point I am making is if some entity wanted to collect info on someone, they would not have to ultimately resort to this "snapshot" device. Your personal info, and how you live your life has already been collected, and if they want more, they don't have to resort to this little primitive reporting device for reporting a teeny tiny boring part of how you live your life. So some of you guys on here really need to go back on to your medications your psychiatrist gave you, because your paranoia is getting out of control. As far as me personally using this device, I think it is a great idea!! I am glad Progressive introduced this; so far, it has saved me $326 on my insurance policy for 6 months!

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  35. beware of the military industrial complex

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  36. IT'S A SCAM! I believe it's a Bait and Switch..
    What happens if Your driving along and Some idiot just pulls out in front of You and you have to Slam on your Brakes or You smash into their car and all the while this being recorded????? Hello!!! It's a Scam...somehow you have to prove to Progressive that it was their fault for you having to use your brakes right? The Police will handle the Idiot driver who pulled n front of you all For Progressive To Save or make a Quick Buck When Progressive CUSTOMERS PAYED FOR The Chip to be made prolly in China!!! See My Point!!I've been with my insurance company for 20 years now and not 1 of those have they Ever Screwed me over!!!

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  37. Rodger, the only people slamming you in here, are the embarrassed fucktards who are dumb enough to believe that they are getting a savings to begin with. Anyone who has ever even taken highschool economics or business knows that these gimmicks are paid for fully by the customer themselves. Be 40% higher than your competition (simply say that you're not), and then offer a 30% discount, then use 5% of your earnings to pay for the overly priced TV ads you are running and then pocket the other 5% across the board. I've had 3 automobile accidents in this era of cell phone texting and tweeting, none of them my fault. A camera in my car (IE my phone) has won me every claim, due to the damaging evidence in my photos. No device needed to support my "driving habits." What a crock this device is. Insurance is second to none when it comes to being the countries biggest sidewalk con-artist shell game. Business 101: If they advertise a lot, they cost a lot!!! If you are dumb ebough to believe you are saving 30% because "Progressive told me I was" then as far as Progressive is concerned, another sucker was born. The P.T. Barnum effect worked again. If it makes them feel warm and fuzzy to get lied to and told they are getting a savings then Godspeed to these simple minded automotants. I gain a lot of pleasure knowing that they are coming in here calling you paranoid, when they are the ones burning their money and feeling good about it. In a way it's sweet retribution. If they wander through the world with the intellect of a generic Stormtrooper how could they possibly understand your Orwellian parallel to 1984? Let them be the scumbags who are only keyed in enough to criticize someone's blog versus having the two brain cells to bang together to write one of their own. I think the smartest thing any of them have demonstrated so far is that apparently someone taught them all about spell check, coz spelling is their key poking stick, yet even then the computer is doing THAT work for them. LOL

    My name is Ryle.
    ...put the spellcheck down idiots. it's not misspelled, but it is kind of ironic considering my tone.

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