Are you a safe driver? Do you think you’re paying higher for insurance than you should? For drivers who believe they are overpaying and would like to be able to prove that they are safer drivers, Progressive Auto Insurance is beginning a program that will allow drivers to install a GPS tracking device in their cars.

The GPS tracking device will track how hard they brake as well as what percentage of their driving is day driving compared to what percentage is nighttime driving, according to USA today.

Drivers who opt into the program, called Snapshot, can save, on average, $150.00 per year.

The programs are entirely voluntary, but have still, as most GPS tracking programs tend to do, have caught flak as being an Orwellian program. The primary concern of critics is that the insurance agencies will make the tracking devices mandatory.

In addition, while Progressive and other insurance agencies with similar programs claim that they will only use the devices to give discounts as opposed to punitive penalties, some, such as Robert E. Smith of Privacy Journal, fear that the rules could change.

Progressive believes this is a massive benefit for drivers. “Snapshot provides the first tangible way for you to tell the insurance company ‘This is who I am’ as a driver.”

What do you think? Privacy nightmare, or good way to reduce your insurance premiums?

Article Written by Greg Minton