Rocky Mountain Tracking » Insurance

Florida Dealership Tracks Car Buyers and Forces Life Insurance Purchase

Admin — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:12:17 +0000

A used car dealership in Florida may have crossed the line by tracking customers who have bought vehicles from them.

In Jacksonville, Florida, the anger of a number of dissatisfied car buyers has prompted the Florida Attorney General’s office to launch a lawsuit against a local used car dealer. Customers of Beach Boulevard Automotive claim that, among other underhanded business practices, the dealership installed GPS devices on the cars they bought without their knowledge.

By continuing to monitor the location of sold cars, the dealership made it easier for itself to repossess cars in the event that payments were not made.

The practice may not have resulted in a lawsuit, however, except for the fact that some angry customers claim that Beach Boulevard Automotive repossessed their cars even though the payments were being made on time.

Since GPS tracking is a fairly new field of technology, the legal world is struggling to keep up with the new challenges it presents. The outcome of the Florida lawsuit may give an indication of how courts will respond in the future to unannounced installations of tracking systems for repossession purposes.

John King, the president of Beach Boulevard Automotive, responded to questions by insisting that the GPS systems are legal since the cars belong to the dealership until they are paid off by the customers. This is true if the cars are purchased by way of a direct loan. It must also be made clear to any car buyer (by way of contract) that a vehicle is equipped with a GPS tracker.

In addition to the GPS tracking and premature repossession charges, the lawsuit also claims that customers were required to buy a life insurance policy as part of their car purchase, and that the owners posted fake reviews on the web to boost their own public image. Only time will tell if the secret–some would say sneaky–GPS installations were invasive enough to merit the heavy penalties of a lawsuit.

Article Written by Mark Rummel

GPS Tracking and Lower Insurance Rates: Friend or Fraud?

Admin — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 12:37:09 +0000

You may have heard that having a GPS tracking device in your car can help lower your insurance rates, but it is not as simple as just having the location system in place. Since GPS units can track speeding, hard braking, heavy accelerating, and driving frequency, insurance companies can determine exactly how safe they think you are when it comes to driving and then set your rates accordingly.

For example, if you live in a suburban neighborhood but work in the heart of the city, your time spent in rush-hour traffic could be a deterring factor in the eyes of the insurance company because they equate less time in the car with safety. However, if you are a responsible teen trying to overcome the stereotype of a teenage driver in order to lower your insurance rate, then a GPS tracking system can help the insurer see your level of commitment to safe driving.

One unquestionable advantage to using GPS tracking in your vehicle for both you and your insurance company is the deterrent it is to car thieves. An insurance agent is more likely to give you a lower rate on your car if they know they can more easily retrieve a stolen vehicle rather than replace one, especially if you live in a highly populated area where statistics for stolen cars are elevated.

If you are a business with a fleet of vehicles, then GPS tracking can definitely help lower your insurance rates. Whether you are a utilities company, delivery service, or contractor, if you own multiple vehicles, you should consider installing a GPS tracking device on each vehicle. Not only does it encourage your drivers to practice safe driving habits, but it also shows the insurance company that you are serious about taking care of your business assets. Again, such location devices also act as a deterrent to potential car thieves and give the insurance companies peace of mind knowing they can track down a stolen company vehicle.

How much GPS tracking can help lower your insurance rates really lies in the hands of the insurance company. It is theirs to determine the perimeters of safety, and it is theirs to determine the ratio of adjustment. However, it is yours to drive safely and to use your GPS tracking as you deem best, be it for personal information or for information that the insurance company can use for or against you.

Article Written by Hillary Mayfield

Florida Car Theft Rates Lowest Since 1967

Admin — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 13:31:54 +0000

You’ve seen it on TV before: grainy black and white images of people stealing cars (or at least attempting to) while the cops sit back and watch it all transpire, awaiting the perfect moment to arrest them. That moment is usually when the ignition fails (all thanks to the ignition kill the police attach to the vehicle) and the car coasts to a stop, the thief in a panic.

This moment is very real, and thanks to the efforts of the Cape Coral Police Department and other counties in Florida, car theft rates haven’t been this low since 1967.

Authorities use a “bait vehicle” complete with camera and GPS tracking device. This vehicle usually ranks high on the stolen car list. Thieves often find these bait vehicles too tempting, which allows police to follow a thief’s every move. Eventually, thieves are apprehended, and police use this method of trapping car thieves as a warning to others. So far, this tactic has worked.

The bait car strategy has lowered the vehicle theft rate 31% in Charlotte County alone, which is a considerable amount.

This is good news for Florida car owners. Various cities and counties throughout Florida have long been car theft targets. Now, police (and citizens) have a way to fight back.

Article Written by Khristen Foss

Can GPS Lower Your Car Insurance Rates?

Admin — Fri, 06 May 2011 15:00:05 +0000

Car insurance rates can vary drastically, depending on state laws; year, make, model, and features of the car; age and sex of the driver; and insurance company. The best way to get the lowest rate is to hunker down and really research the options. Different features on the car have affected insurance rates for some time. When shopping for insurance, your agent will likely ask you if there is a sun or moon roof on the car, if there are passenger airbags, or if your seats are automatic. GPS tracking systems are one of the newer features added to the list of factors that affect insurance premiums.

It is common knowledge that teenage drivers have higher insurance premiums because they are less experienced, and perceived as less careful drivers. Statistics tend to correspond with this stereotype, and so insurance companies protect their liabilities by charging more for teen car insurance. There is good news for responsible teen drivers who can’t afford insurance rates based on assumptions of their driving skills. There are a number of insurance companies willing to collect individual data about drivers, using GPS tracking systems.

The very act of installing a GPS tracking system already gives insurance companies a reason to lower rates. It shows that the driver is willing to prove to the insurer that he or she follows traffic laws and drives cautiously. Anyone can claim that they are safe drivers and declare victimhood of unfair stereotypes. Willingness to be monitored shows an understanding of the risk the insurance company is taking on.

Again, thorough research is your best friend when looking into the best auto insurance policy. Many of the policies that offer GPS tracking as an option, will also use the data collected to raise insurance rates if the data shows unsafe driving habits. Read the policy and ask questions to find out the details of the plan, so you can better avoid the types of driving behaviors that send alerts to your insurance company. Let us know what you think. Is providing insurance companies with tracking data a good way to save on premiums or will increased visibility lead to higher rates for most people?

Article Written by Marisa O’Connor

GPS Will Help Pay for Your Own Aston Martin

Admin — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 16:00:24 +0000

If you have royal wedding fever, you may have noticed the sleek 1960s Aston Martin that the happily married couple drove away in on April 29. The Aston Martin was a gift to the Prince of Wales from his parents as a 21^st birthday present. If you have the cash, you may be considering buying an identical Aston Martin. While the car itself will set you back a bit, you can save some money by installing a GPS tracking device.

Insurance companies aren’t always agreeable. But, the one thing that these companies do agree upon is the fact that a GPS tracker means keeping an eye on your driving habits at all times.

This is great news for any insurer that wants to know how fast you drive. That’s why many insurance companies are offering a discounted rate to people who agree to use GPS technology.

The price of the flashy Aston Martin that charmed the world this morning is around $230,000 Pounds. That’s roughly $497,900 USD. With a price tag that high, it’s a good idea to save on insurance if you can! If you fancy yourself a great driver, why not put your skills to the test? GPS tracking devices are saving people all across the country lots of insurance dollars.

All you have to do is be willing to install a GPS tracker in your new Aston Martin for a few months. It might be tough to resist the urge to speed in a royal lookalike, but you may find that your insurance rates are a lot lower if you can respect the speed limits. Don’t worry, even if you can’t afford an Aston Martin, you can still lower your insurance rates – these GPS tracking deals apply to other vehicles too!

Article Written by Harriette Halepis

GPS Can Lower Your Car Insurance (Maybe)

Admin — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 16:00:16 +0000

How many times have you thought to yourself, “If only my insurance company saw how safe I drive, they’d never charge me this much. I’m so low-risk!”

Well, that day has come. Companies like Progressive, State Farm, and All State now offer programs that allow you to demonstrate how safe a driver you truly are, with the added bonus of rewarding you with a discount.

The drawback: “safe” is defined by insurers.

Take Progressive’s Snapshot plan, for example. Simply sign up for the insurance company’s program, and receive a tracking device in the mail. Hook it up to your car following the simple instructions included with the device, and begin driving.

The Snapshot device tracks how much you drive, how suddenly you bring the car to a stop by tracking your speed, and what times of day you are driving. It does not record information as to where you are specifically, or whether or not you are speeding. Progressive uses this information to calculate a final discount aftersix months of data has been collected.

The premise behind Progressive’s safe driving standard is simple: the less you drive, the better your discount will be. Drive more during rush hour? You may not receive as big of a discount.

Although this will save some consumers money, is it right to exclude those who work hard for their money and have no choice as to what time they leave in the morning, or how far they drive? Shouldn’t there be different levels of service, helping those who safely navigate the calamity of rush hour day after day?

Share your thoughts with us!

Article Written by Khristen Foss

Use GPS Tracking to Lower Insurance Premiums?

Admin — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 16:00:19 +0000

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

GPS Saves Money on Car Insurance

Admin — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 16:00:28 +0000

Saving money is a big concern these days. While people are clipping coupons and shopping at garage sales, they may be neglecting a much more substantial savings. An investment in GPS tracking can pay off in insurance savings for the consumer (whether an individual or a company). Insurance companies give discounts for such things as low mileage, anti-theft devices, teenage tracking and safe driving.

Some insurance companies offer discounts for drivers who drive less than a certain number of miles each year. However, many claim this discount only to violate the terms of it. Several large insurance companies now offer a low mileage discount to those drivers who will agree to use GPS to record their odometer readings.

For truly low mileage drivers, the discount can be substantial: even up to 26% of the annual premium rate. The insurance company earns savings by eliminating credits for those who don’t actually qualify for the discounts, and those savings are passed on to drivers who do.

Another way that consumers can save with GPS tracking is to claim the anti-theft discount many insurers offer. This is commonly used with commercial fleets and also by rental car companies. The devices can be programmed to alert the company if the car goes beyond prescribed boundaries.

GPS tracking can qualify companies for safe driver fleet discounts by monitoring driver behaviors such as hard braking, speed and turns and weaves. Drivers who are aware they are being watched will usually drive more cautiously and carefully. Teen drivers aren’t exactly fleet vehicles, but sometimes they also need to be tracked and it can pay off in savings to parents in reduced insurance premiums. The GPS unit can alert the parents when the young person violates conditions such as not arriving at school, being a certain distance from home or exceeding a certain speed limit.

Vehicle owners can find further savings with GPS-equipped cars, which can save money by suggesting the shortest route and helping drivers avoid getting lost. They can be alerted to traffic jams and unsafe conditions. Fewer stops and starts and less miles translates into money saved especially with today’s high fuel prices.

GPS technology is a timely investment that will pay for itself in reduced insurance premiums, not to mention reduced fuel costs and peace of mind for parents who are tracking teens. More and more insurance companies will harness this technology in the future to reduce their costs which then can be passed on to you, the consumer.

Article Written by Greg Bartlett

Why Auto Dealers Love GPS Tracking

Admin — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 16:00:52 +0000

GPS tracking has proved very useful for auto dealers, especially in the “buy here, pay here” market. Each car that a dealer sells can be equipped with a small tracking device, just a little tiny box that communicates with satellites to show the location of the car, which sends signals to a system of satellites traveling around the earth. These satellites read the latitude and longitude of each device, and transmit that information to a computer.

In the “buy here, pay here” market, dealers realize that they are the owner until the car is paid off. As the vehicle owner, they can use software that coordinates with tracking information gathered from satellites. This information can show the dealer where the car has been since it first left the lot, giving a history of movements, but most of the time, this information is not interesting to the dealer.

He probably won’t ever look for the car unless one of two things happen: either the buyer stops making payments and the car needs to be re-claimed, or the buyer calls to say that the car has been stolen by a third party. At this point, the dealer can be very grateful that he has GPS tracking to come to the rescue! The dealer will want to know exactly where the car is, and his computer can tell him that, too.

Article Written by Greg Bartlett

Stolen Van Tracked via GPS

Admin — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 16:00:24 +0000

Recently, a van was stolen from the Comtronics parking lot in Jackson, Mississippi. A Comtronics’ driver left his van running while stepping inside of the building. Moments later, the van was stolen by an unidentified driver. Noticing a strange person driving the Comtronics van, another employee reported this strange behavior to his boss.

As it turned out, the original drive of the van had left his Blackberry inside of the vehicle when it was stolen. Using the Blackberry’s GPS locator, a Comtronics manager was able to track the van. Within moments, authorities were told the precise location of the van. Comtronics is a security company that recently decided to track employees using Blackberry GPS systems.

The van that was stolen was loaded with alarm equipment, tools, and surveillance equipment that totaled nearly $5000. Even though the van was found thanks to the Blackberry GPS device that was inside of the van, this situation could have been a lot worse if the Blackberry had not been left inside of the van. The man who stole the van was caught unloading the electronics equipment into a shed, and he was arrested on the spot.

Comtronics lucked out when the Blackberry in question was left inside of the Comtronics van. However, this company would do well to place GPS tracking devices inside of each valuable van. Further, any company that has vans stocked with expensive equipment should consider GPS tracking devices. These devices are not only cost-effective, but they have also proven time and again that thieves cannot get away with stealing a vehicle that has been equipped with a GPS tracking system.

Article Written by Harriette Halepis