Anyone Have the "Drive Wise" GPS in Thier Vehicle?

[waterninja]

So a couple months ago my daughter's insurance company suggested she install a Drive Wise gps in her 2011 ford escort if she wanted to save some money on her insurance. She has a clean driving record, but she is young and in university, so any savings help. I guess it is some sort of usb "stick" that plugs into a port below her dash.
Anyways, soon after installing this stick, she started having electrical problems with her vehicle. Today she had to have it towed to a Ford dealership because the electrical system has gone haywire, and everything remained "on" even if key was turned off and removed.
Could this be a coincidence, or does anyone have any experiance or knowledge about these Drive Wise GPS units. Thanks.

[Jack Hardin]

Not sure what a drive wise gps is but, I have a Garmin Drive Smart 50 GPS that alerts me to speed zone changes, animal crossings, school zones, RR crossings, curves in the road. Voice and written on the screen - 70km zone 200 metres, School Zone 200 metres , etc. The verbal directions are more explicit than the older models. For example, when you are close to the turn after she already warned about the turn, she will say - Turn right at the traffic light and then keep left. Another one - Turn left onto the gravel road. (how does she know its a gravel road over a paved one

[The Big Kahunow]

I have the Drivewise thing plugged into two vehicles right now. 2007 Chev and 2008 Dodge for four months with no problems so far. It just plugs right into your vehicle diagnostic port. Insuring through Allstate it's another discount to apply to your bill if you can get over the "big brother is watching you" aspect.

[whiteout]

Originally Posted by Jack Hardin

Not sure what a drive wise gps is but, I have a Garmin Drive Smart 50 GPS that alerts me to speed zone changes, animal crossings, school zones, RR crossings, curves in the road. Voice and written on the screen - 70km zone 200 metres, School Zone 200 metres , etc. The verbal directions are more explicit than the older models. For example, when you are close to the turn after she already warned about the turn, she will say - Turn right at the traffic light and then keep left. Another one - Turn left onto the gravel road. (how does she know its a gravel road over a paved one

It's not a GPS for navigation. He has a monitoring device plugged in that uploads data about driving habits to the insurance company and they'll potentially apply a discount based on "good" habits.

[play.soccer]

Big brother in plug-in format. No thanks.

[Jack Hardin]

Originally Posted by whiteout

It's not a GPS for navigation. He has a monitoring device plugged in that uploads data about driving habits to the insurance company and they'll potentially apply a discount based on "good" habits.

Thanks for the info, didn't know such a thing existed.

[waterninja]

Originally Posted by The Big Kahunow

I have the Drivewise thing plugged into two vehicles right now. 2007 Chev and 2008 Dodge for four months with no problems so far. It just plugs right into your vehicle diagnostic port. Insuring through Allstate it's another discount to apply to your bill if you can get over the "big brother is watching you" aspect.

Diagnostic port! Thank you. I'm used to the idea of Big Brother, but if that "plug in" screwed up my daughter's vehicle electronics, then perhaps they should pay to fix it.

[SamSteele]

Had it in two vehicles for four months each with no issues. Got a couple percent discount on our insurance. After 4 months you toss the unit.


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[jrowan]

Having something plugged in to the diagnostic port shouldn't cause electrical problems. Power is drawn from the port, not put into it. Pretty much the only thing you can do to the car's computer (unless you have a super expensive computer hooked up to it) is clear engine DTCs.

Likely the electrical issues are because it's a Ford.

https://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/

[waterninja]

Originally Posted by jrowan

Having something plugged in to the diagnostic port shouldn't cause electrical problems. Power is drawn from the port, not put into it. Pretty much the only thing you can do to the car's computer (unless you have a super expensive computer hooked up to it) is clear engine DTCs.

Likely the electrical issues are because it's a Ford.

https://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/

Well, it sounds like maybe it was just coincidence that the electrical problems happened after she started using the Drive Wise. We will be hearing what mechanic thinks soon.
Thanks for that link jrowan.

[.257Weatherby]

Originally Posted by play.soccer

Big brother in plug-in format. No thanks.

X2...
Common sense when it comes to every day life is long gone.

I know Alberta has different rules about vehicle insurance and hence the question.
''What happens should one insurance company decide not to insure a driver for say traffic violations as in speeding infractions ? ''

In BC ICBC has to insure everyone if they can afford it that is.
ICBC will suspend a DL at the drop of a hat , yet people still continue to drive like idiots with or without a DL and insurance.

Sorry, not meant to derail the question asked....

Rob

[EZM]

I would not, under any circumstances, have, or use one of these devices in my vehicle.

Simply stated, it allows the insurance company to monitor the conditions (speed and direction) that the vehicle is travelling.

If the vehicle is involved in a collision, where the driver broke the law (exceeded the speed limit or failed to properly stop) your insurance claim can be challenged in the courts.

An insurance company is liable to cover the damages and injuries associated with a collision where you were determined to be at fault. That won't change. HOWEVER if your policy covers injuries and/or damages to your vehicle (comprehensive coverage) they are not obligated to pay out insurance if they can determine your actions were unlawful.

Think about that for a minute.

I'd be happy to reduce your insurance rate - heck yeah - why not. Better not speed or break the law ..... because I am not paying you out if you broke the law.

[fishduck]

Originally Posted by EZM

I would not, under any circumstances, have, or use one of these devices in my vehicle.

Simply stated, it allows the insurance company to monitor the conditions (speed and direction) that the vehicle is travelling.

If the vehicle is involved in a collision, where the driver broke the law (exceeded the speed limit or failed to properly stop) your insurance claim can be challenged in the courts.

An insurance company is liable to cover the damages and injuries associated with a collision where you were determined to be at fault. That won't change. HOWEVER if your policy covers injuries and/or damages to your vehicle (comprehensive coverage) they are not obligated to pay out insurance if they can determine your actions were unlawful.

Think about that for a minute.

I'd be happy to reduce your insurance rate - heck yeah - why not. Better not speed or break the law ..... because I am not paying you out if you broke the law.

Black boxes have existed in cars for years that record speed, seat belt use, etc. Those are regularly used in serious accident investigations.

[Kristopher10]

Originally Posted by fishduck

Black boxes have existed in cars for years that record speed, seat belt use, etc. Those are regularly used in serious accident investigations.

This is true, however what he is describing would more likely be used in non serious accidents as well. For example if you were exceeding the speed limit and took the ditch during a snow storm. Don't know exactly how it might play out, but I'm sure having them able to see that you were driving unlawfully at the time will certainly cause a headache at the very least.