Back in September I participated in a pilot program with Progressive using the Progressive Snapshot device to monitor my driving. The goal was to see how much I would save on my car insurance. If you remember, I mentioned how having the Progressive Snapshot device might make me a more conscientious driver. And to be quite honest with you, it did.
Trial Period
Throughout the 30-day trial period, questions about my driving were answered. I received periodic reports letting me know what my grade was. While the device was plugged in the car, I didn’t want my husband to drive because I knew that any bad habits he displayed (stopping short) would affect my grade.
How It Worked
You plug a small device that Progressive provides, into your car’s on-board diagnostic port. The device beeped any time I stopped short. I knew that the sound was a ding to my performance. The device records how you drive and then sends the information back to Progressive.
Call it the nerd in me, my goal was for an A+ on this test-drive. By the end of the trial period, I ended up with an A-. Not bad.
My final notice was that I saved 20% on my car insurance based off of my driving.
Progressive Snapshot Review
I actually like the idea of Snapshot – it subconsciously made me a better driver because my driving habits were constantly being monitored.
Thankfully I wasn’t testing it out on a family road trip. I don’t think I would’ve been able to maintain my “excellent behavior” driving for an extended period of time. I admit to my occasional road rage.
If you’re a good driver, you can actually save money on your insurance based off of a very definitive factor like how you actually drive. Things like your age, location, car age/make, credit history, annual mileage, vehicle use and previous driving history are relevant but the actual driving of the operator is what the device tracks.
A Progressive team members in its Snapshot Operations Department sums it up: “Snapshot is about the person taking responsibility for their own actions.”
Final Analysis
After checking the numbers between Progressive and my current insurance company – there was a $20 difference with Progressive being more expensive. If you are a military or government employee, Progressive is probably going to be a more expensive option for you.
Having the Progressive Snapshot device in my car was like having a monitor sit in the front seat every time I put the car in “DRIVE.”
If you get past the “Big Brother” notions, you can see how the device is a win-win on a utilitarian level – the more people using the device, the more conscientious drivers you have on the road. The more conscientious drivers you have, the less probability of accidents, the less insurance companies have to pay out, and the more the consumer gets to save.
Disclosure: I participated in the Progressive Snapshot Test Drive and received gas cards to test drive the device for my participation. All opinions expressed within are my own.
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Another satisfied customer here. I have a fairly high premium due to poor credit and a couple of traffic tickets (speed traps IMHO). I added Snapshot and saved 27%. I’ve had the device four months, averaged 160 miles a week, 1.6 hard stops per week and 0 hours of high-risk drive times. I thought they’d want it on my car for six months but I guess four months was long enough for them to figure out that I usually drive like an old lady
Good for you Donna! It’s kind of nice to be graded (and rewarded) on your driving skills when you’re a good driver.
i think this is just a scam for progressive. it is to get you try this, by the way does not work if you live on a hill or valley, then you to think you are going to save. it is like other just 15 min COULD save you 15 percent.
i used this and every hill with a stop sign on it i would have to break and it would beep. i could not even get out of my driveway down the hill without it beeping witch by the way mean you lost all your chances to save.
it sucks and would not recommend this to anyone.
i used this and it sucks. i could not even get down my driveway with out it beeping on me. and my stats showed i did not save anything just for that reason. oh and any hill with a stop sign on it you would get a beep also.
this sucks and would NOT recommend anyone to this scam so they can track you. just like the nsa
i think this is just a scam to have you check them out. i have talked with many people where i live and not one passed there test. we all failed. not for time of day or speed it is braking. just to braked you lost everything and points to save money.
those i am guessing that passed this test lives on flat land with no stop signs or lights
Hi Brad,
I hear you. Thanks for your three replies on the snapshot device. I did not have issues like those you describe since I don’t live or drive near too many hills but I can definitely see what you’re saying. I would talk to Progressive about it if I were really interested in teh device helping me save and was faced with the issues that you had to deal with. Good luck!
When it comes to breaking while using the snapshot, I have found you have to begin slowing down way ahead of time. You cannot have any sudden stops. I’ve had this in my car for 3 months and have had only 1 hard break, and that’s because there was a deer on the road while I was heading home one night. I’ve been on plenty of hills, and haven’t had any problems. So far I have a B+. I’m hoping to get an A+, but not sure how else to bring the score up.
Oh yes Penny, no short breaks with the Snapshot or you will definitely get docked. When I realized how closely my stopping, accelerating and such was being monitored, i was much more diligent. Ultimately I guess it helped me to be a better driver for the time that I used it. Ask me now and I’d have to think about that one. 🙂
for all ya who aint a believer!!and those who talk wO trying
i have to admit IT WORKS!!!it took over the 30days but from $321 a month to $192 a month (40%) off
this how it works:
reads your daily mileage(30+ can hurt you)
reads your total hard breaks,meaning hard breaks or reduceing speed less than 10mph in 7sec
reads your time driving(after 12am is high risk,meaning avoid driving after 12am)
reads how fast and slow you go(but it realy dont hurt you)
reads how many times you turn on and off your car(try to keep car on if you can)
reads total of time your car has been on(it wont be used against you)
i have full coverage $321 a month
after 30days of having it on(almost 45days)
i recieved discount of exactly %40 now its $192
i never believed in this crap till i tried it
its all in how u drive
((average 20miles a day,2-5hard breaks a week,&barely drove after 12am))
Hi Tawanna or other fellow followers
I’m from a small start up company named StreetOwl. We are currently building an application for Iphone users that is a lot like progressive’s snapshot UBI program but better. We were hoping you might be willing to share your data/report from the program that we can build a better application and be more effective for our users. If you’d be interested in being part of our application and willing to share your information, please respond to this comment. Thanks so much.
Lisa
Snap shot may work for some but let me tell u my alternator got fried and my battery drained from the device it cost me 400$ to fix my car do to something thats suppose to . Save u money
That’s horrible Jessie! Did you get confirmation from your mechanic that the device was the cause of the mechanical damages. If so, I’d send that to information to Progressive and seek reimbursement.