I looked into the telematics thing myself after my DUI a couple years back, and honestly, it seemed more trouble than it was worth. Talked to a few others who tried it, and they said similar stuff—getting dinged for minor things like braking too quickly or even driving during certain hours. Ended up switching insurers instead and found one that specialized in high-risk policies. Premiums still hurt, but it was definitely less stressful than worrying about every move behind the wheel.
"getting dinged for minor things like braking too quickly or even driving during certain hours."
Yeah, that's exactly why I steered clear of telematics myself. Seems like it turns everyday driving into a stressful test—who needs that extra anxiety? Good call on finding an insurer specializing in high-risk policies, though. Did your premiums eventually drop after a while, or are you still feeling the pinch? Heard it can take a few years before they ease up...
"Seems like it turns everyday driving into a stressful test—who needs that extra anxiety?"
Exactly why I avoided telematics too. Tried it briefly on my classic Mustang, and the thing dinged me for "hard acceleration" every time I pulled away from a stoplight—even gently. Seriously? It's a muscle car...what did they expect? Eventually switched insurers and went with a specialty classic policy instead. Premiums weren't cheap at first, but after about two years they did start to ease off a bit. Still skeptical overall, but sometimes it pays to shop around.
Yeah, telematics can be a real headache, especially if you're driving something with a bit of personality. Had a similar experience with my old Camaro—every little rev seemed to trigger some kind of alert. Eventually ditched it too and went specialty. Honestly, after something like a DUI, your rates are gonna spike pretty hard no matter what, but shopping around and maybe looking into smaller insurers can soften the blow a bit. Hang in there...it does get better over time.
I get your point about smaller insurers sometimes offering better rates, but I'd caution against assuming they'll always be cheaper after a DUI. In my experience, smaller companies can actually be stricter with high-risk drivers because they have less room to absorb losses. Bigger insurers might have more flexibility or specialized programs for drivers with a DUI on record. Also, specialty insurers can be hit or miss—sometimes they're great, other times their coverage limits or deductibles aren't ideal.
Telematics can indeed be frustrating, especially with performance cars, but it might still be worth considering if it significantly lowers your premium. I've seen cases where drivers initially hated the idea but ended up saving enough money to justify the inconvenience. Ultimately, it's about balancing your budget and comfort level...and maybe adjusting your driving style temporarily to keep those alerts quiet.
