Are you wondering if a black box fitted to your car could really save you money on your car cover? We’ve analysed the telematics car insurance policies offered through WiseDriving. The company believes that drivers who are willing to be monitored are generally safer, and claims to pass on discounts upfront to new customers. Here’s what else you need to know.
Who is WiseDriving?
Since being established in 2012, WiseDriving has developed its GPS technology in black boxes to record customer driving data, and uses the data to calculate premiums. For each policy it arranges, WiseDriving will either fit a black box to a customer’s car or have the customer self-fit a device in the car’s 12V port/cigarette lighter, which will monitor driving and braking habits. This broker also caters to a range of drivers, including first-timers and young drivers, as well as experienced older drivers.
WiseDriving is a trading name of iGO4 Ltd [link pls to https://www.finder.com/uk/car-insurance/igo4-car-insurance-review]. WiseDriving works with a panel of insurance companies such as Aviva, AXA, Covea, Highway, Inspire Underwriting, Sabre, Southern Rock Insurance Company Ltd and Markerstudy.
iGO4 Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Third party cover is the minimum level of cover that is offered by WiseDriving . To be on UK roads, all drivers are legally required to have at least this level of car insurance. If you are responsible for causing an accident, you’ll be protected for damage to third party vehicles or property. You won’t be protected for any damage to your own car.
Don’t assume this is the cheapest option because it offers the least protection. Sometimes, this cover may work out more expensive than comprehensive. Check each cover level to see which offers the best value for you.
WiseDriving’s Third Party Fire and Theft cover
You’ll get the same level of cover as third party but this will also provide protection against any fire damage or theft of your car.
WiseDriving’s Comprehensive cover
This is the greatest level of cover on offer and will provide the same protection as the other levels as well as insuring your vehicle against accidental damage and vandalism.
It’s always worth getting a quote for comprehensive cover, as in some cases, it can be cheaper than lower levels of cover due to the risk profile of customers who choose them.
What is covered under my policy through WiseDriving?
Cover benefits
Third party
Third party, fire and theft
Comprehensive
Liability to other people and property
✓
✓
✓
Fire and theft
✓
✓
Accidental damage
✓
Courtesy car
✓
Personal accident cover
✓
Personal belongings cover
✓
Windscreen cover
✓
Key cover
✓
EU cover
✓
Audio equipment cover
✓
Check your policy details carefully to ensure you have the right cover for your needs.
Optional extras
WiseDriving does offer some optional extras to provide you with greater protection in certains areas. These optional extras include:
Any cover arranged through WiseDriving is likely to become invalid if any of the following arises:
Your car is being driven by an unnamed driver on your policy or by a person that does not have a valid driving licence.
Your car is used for rallies, races or competitions.
You fail to pay for your premium.
You are paid to carry passengers.
You change your car during the policy term to a car that the insurer cannot cover.
You do not provide the correct documents to support your application.
Check your policy document for further details to confirm your cover is valid.
How to save on your car insurance policy through WiseDriving
Check comprehensive. Contrary to what you might think, comprehensive cover can often be cheaper than third party, fire and theft so it’s always worth checking. This is because of the risk profile of many drivers who choose third party or third party, fire and theft.
Park securely. Cars kept in a garage or on a secure driveway are usually cheaper to insure.
Reduce mileage. If you start working part-time or your long commute becomes much shorter, letting your insurer know about a reduction in your mileage could result in cheaper insurance.
Increase the excess. Agreeing to pay a bigger voluntary excess could make your overall premium cheaper. But remember that your insurer won’t pay out for a claim that costs less than your excess. So be careful about making it too high, as it could leave you out of pocket if damage occurs.
Pick a smaller car. Choosing to drive a small and safe car is likely to lower your premium.
Drive carefully. You driving and braking habits will be monitored closely through the self-fitted device or black box fitted to your car so consistent safe driving is likely to lower your premium.
What is my excess?
Your insurance excess is the amount of money you have to pay towards a claim. Your insurer won’t pay out for a claim that costs less than this amount.
A voluntary excess is usually an amount that can be set by you when taking out a policy. You’ll have the option of adding or increasing a voluntary excess, which could in turn reduce your premium.
Meanwhile, a compulsory excess amount might vary depending on the age of your car and your driving experience.
You’ll find details about any compulsory or voluntary excesses in your policy document.
What is the claims process for WiseDriving?
You should call the WiseDriving 24-hour claims line on 0800 008 6709 to report a claim.
You’ll need to have your vehicle registration and insurance policy numbers, as well as all details relating to the incident.
WiseDriving recommends that you make a note of the following:
Your vehicle registration and insurance policy numbers
Details about the incident
Addresses and contact details of everyone involved in the incident, including third parties, passengers and witnesses
Details about the location of the incident such as road names
All damage sustained to third party property
Any injuries sustained
Photographic evidence, if available
Crime reference number, if necessary
It’s important that you let your insurer know about an incident as soon as possible, even if it’s not your fault. A delay in reporting an incident or failure to report it could result in a rejected claim later on.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. WiseDriving only offers telematics car insurance so you would need to either have a black box fitted to your car or self-fit a device to your car’s 12V port/cigarette lighter after taking out a policy.
Yes. If you wish, insurance from WiseDriving can start instantly. The black box will be fitted to your car within 14 days of the insurance starting, which WiseDriving will arrange. However, you will be permitted to drive without it until fitted. Similarly, a self-fit device will be sent out within seven days. You will then need to fit the device within 14 days of the policy purchase date.
A quote from WiseDriving is usually valid for 30 days but due to hourly and daily rate changes, there may be instances where a quote expires before this time period.
Yes, WiseDriving offers policies that can be paid in full or by monthly direct debit payments.
No. WiseDriving only provides car insurance for a 12-month period.
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*Based on data provided by Consumer Intelligence Ltd, www.consumerintelligence.com (July ’24). 51% of car insurance customers could save £523.17
Liz Edwards has been a consumer writer and editor for more than 20 years. She led award-winning teams at the campaigning publisher Which?, and has covered a range of consumer rights and personal finance topics including pensions, credit, banking and insurance. Liz has appeared frequently in national media such as The Sun, Metro, HuffPost and The Independent. She loves to cut through waffle to give consumers the real lowdown. And she loves puns. See full bio
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