35,000 more 'black boxes' have been ordered by UK insurance firm Norwich Union after test schemes indicated that drivers could benefit from metered car insurance .
Since February 2002, Norwich Union has been trialling its "pay as you drive" car insurance programme - using 'black box' style devices which record the time, distance, and location of a vehicle's journeys. Monthly insurance could then be calculated with reference to the actual car usage in that period.
Driving behaviour and vehicle usage statistics allowed the company to better assess risk to divers throughout the period under scrutiny. Simon Machell, chief executive of Norwich Union Insurance, said that "learnings from our pilot ... will shape any future 'pay as you drive' insurance products". Over 10 million journeys have been recorded by the pilot scheme - results indicate drivers tending to minimise their insurance premiums by opting to walk or cycle for short journeys.
The insurer now aims to increase the volume of 'black box' research in its pilot programme and has purchased units from UK-based Trafficmaster Plc.




