Several U.S. auto insurers have begun offering in-car monitoring devices for teenage drivers:
American Family Insurance Co.: Teen Safe Driver program (www.teensafedriver.com) provides in-vehicle camera which captures risky driving behavior such as swerving, hard braking, sudden acceleration and collisions. Images and sounds are sent to an analysis center where each incident is assigned a risk score; parents log in online to view the driving report card, video events and coaching tips. Available in eight states (Colorado, Kansas, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Nevada and Wisconsin). Program developed by DriveCam Inc. Cost: Free for one year to American Family customers with a teen driver; subsequent cost is yet to be determined.
Safeco Corp.: Teensurance (www.teensurance.com) includes a set of online tools based on an on-board GPS and notification technology called the Safety Beacon. Parents can set speed, distance and curfew limitations and get alerts via text message or e-mail when they are exceeded. Available to Safeco auto insurance customers in 39 states. Customized for Safeco by Seaguard Technologies. Cost: $14.99 a month for first two years in addition to insurance premium. Teensurance customers also eligible for premium discount of up to 15 percent.
American International Group Inc. (AIG): MobileTEEN GPS (www.aigteengps.com) is a real-time mobile tracking system that alerts parents by text message, e-mail or Web as to where their teenager is and how fast he or she is driving. Pilot program available in all 50 states. Cost: $19.99 a month with a two-year contract (first month free). Device also can be purchased by nonpolicy holders online for $469 with an additional $29.99 monthly fee.
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