Black Box Insurance

The black box device fitted to your vehicle is designed to track your location whenever a journey is made. We use this location data to administer your insurance policy in line with the terms and conditions. For example, to assess when and how far you drive your vehicle for mileage and night-time driving, to assess your driving behaviour for speeding, and we may use location data if it is relevant to a claim. We may use also this data to assist you in other ways for example if we believe your vehicle has been in an accident or where it is lost or stolen.

No, a black box insurance policy gives you the freedom to drive wherever you need to. Just make sure you consider your monthly mileage allowance before planning any long-distance trips. Be aware if you regularly exceed your mileage allowance, your insurer could potentially look at cancelling your policy. However, if you have any unused mileage from one month, you will be able to roll this over to the next.

The security of your personal data is very important to us. We have worked with our Telematics Providers to ensure both technical and operational security measures are in place to protect your personal data collected by the black box fitted in your vehicle.

Depending on the device issued with your policy, this will either be fitted by one of our skilled engineers by appointment or by yourself using the vehicle’s onboard port.

You must report any accidents, claims, or losses of any kind to your insurer within the first 24 hours of the event, regardless of who you think is responsible or to blame. If not reported within this period, your insurer can charge you a late reporting excess as noted in your policy schedule.

We can monitor the location of your black box device, which can aid in the recovery of your stolen vehicle. In the unlikely event that your vehicle is stolen, you would still have to pay for your policy.

Please make sure that you get a quotation from us before purchasing another vehicle, to ensure that we can still offer you insurance. Once we have completed a change of vehicle quotation for you, we will be able to let you know if there is a change in the price of your insurance. You can make up to a maximum of two-vehicle changes on your policy during the policy term.

Yes, you can request to cancel at any time. Please refer to your policy terms and conditions for charges that may apply.

You must make us aware if you are planning to use your vehicle to travel to other countries. We can then update your policy and issue you with any extra documentation required. The insurance team will also tell you of any changes that may affect your policy. For example, your level of cover will vary depending on where you travel. For further information, please refer to your policy documents.

The black box device will remain in your vehicle for the time that you are insured with us.

Once your policy term is complete your telematics box will automatically be disconnected. However, if you wish for the fixed device to be removed after the policy term is complete, there will be a third-party charge for removal. Alternatively, if you have a self-fit device, once your policy term is complete, you will need to remove the device from the vehicle yourself. Please refer to your fees and charges document for further information.

If you go over your mileage allowance, you will be contacted to by a member of our dedicated team who will provide you with the necessary information to pay for the extra miles and discuss any other issues you may have.

No, there is no curfew on the black box insurance policy. However, in the nighttime during the hours of 23:00 to 05:00, you are only permitted to drive up to 10% of your monthly mileage allowance.

We will regularly review your speed throughout the policy term and contact you to discuss any speeding violations. Excessive speeding can ultimately lead to the cancellation of your policy.

Yes, although there is no curfew, we do have restrictions. This will be discussed with you by a member of the insurance team to ensure the policy is suitable for your needs.

Yes, but this will be discussed with you in-depth by a member of the insurance team to ensure that you have the right mileage on your policy.

The OBD Port, or Onboard Diagnostic Port, is the location where a black box device can be installed and monitors things like mileage, speed, and other data about your car.

Theo is a solar-powered telematics device which monitors your driving behaviour and uploads your to the Better Driver by Acorn app.

This is for anyone who is looking to improve their driving style throughout a policy cycle and earn a discount at the renewal stage.

Policies can be purchased online on our direct website and comparison sites. You can also give our dedicated team a call on 01704 339 328 and speak to one of our sales team to set up your policy

The device and app will monitor your driving behaviour throughout your policy, covering speeding, eco-driving, time of day and duration.

Time of Day

There are certain circumstances which may lower your driving score as there is a greater risk of potential accidents. For example:

• The period after midnight to the early hours of the morning is the highest risk zone.
• The midweek commuting periods are also high risk based on the potential number of accidents that can happen, if you are also driving this time at high speeds, this will lower your driving score.

Driving Duration

Trips which involve more than 2 hours continuous driving can greatly increase the risk of serious accidents. This can be caused by things like tiredness and lack of concentration. Your driving score will decrease for every trip that you drive for 2 hours or more.

Speeding

Your speeding score is based on the number of times your actual speed exceeds the speed limit specified for road types. Exceeding the limit will lower your score regardless, but exceeding on a country lane will bring your score down more than if you were driving on a motorway, for example.

Eco Driving

Eco Driving can be defined in many different ways. We are measuring this by combining certain driving behaviours (forms of acceleration) into a simple score. You score will be determined by three different behaviours:

• Speeding-up
• Braking, and
• Cornering

Yes, you are insured from your policy start date, but you need to make sure your device is fitted within 48 hours of receiving it.

No, the Theo device is self-installed.

Please click the following link for further details on how to install your Theo device.

No, the device and data costs are included within your policy at no additional cost; however, a fee may be applicable if you change your vehicle.

The cost of a new device would be classed as a repair cost, which would be covered by your Acorn Insurance policy. If you change your vehicle after a total loss claim, you will need to pay for a new device depending on the outcome of the claim.

The device and app record your all of journeys, as well as information about how you have been driving. This includes data on your speed, eco-driving, time of day and duration.

No, the Theo device can be removed, and a new cradle will be sent to you to re-install in your new vehicle.

No, the device is solar-powered, but should you be required to charge the device we will let you know beforehand.

The Better Driver by Acorn app is available in the Google Play/Apple Store. Your handset will be required to have the most up-to-date software version to be compatible with the app.

The app is compatible with Android and IOS handsets; however, older handsets are not compatible.

You will be notified if there are any problems with your app and device and will be advised of the next steps.

You will be notified if there are any problems with your app and device.

Your device is completely independent of the app, and neither requires any adjusted settings on your phone. The app is purely a place for you to view your driving behaviours; therefore, you will not need to have Bluetooth or location services switched on and power saving mode will not affect the running of the app or device.

Please inform us before you head off on holiday. This way, we can work with our Telematics Provider to ensure a limited number of communications are sent to you while you’re away.

We use Royal Mail 48hr tracked to deliver the device to you. If you still have not received your device, please contact us and we can arrange a new device to be delivered to you.