Yeah, but sometimes it’s stuff like “hard braking” when someone cuts you off.
That’s exactly what drove me up the wall. I tried one of those “smart” trackers for a month—thought it’d save me a bundle since I mostly drive weekends. Turns out, my M3’s sensitive brakes meant every stop was “aggressive.” Got dinged for accelerating onto the highway too. Ended up going through a broker who specialized in high-performance cars. It wasn’t cheap, but at least I don’t have to babysit an app or explain why I hit the gas merging onto the freeway. If you value your sanity, sometimes paying a bit more is worth it.
Never had much luck with those “smart” trackers either. Tried one a couple years back when I was daily-driving my ‘72 Chevelle (not exactly subtle, I know). Every time I tapped the brakes—usually because someone in a crossover decided to test their ABS in front of me—the app would light up like I’d just done a handbrake turn. Same story with acceleration. Apparently, anything more than a gentle nudge is “reckless” in their book.
I get the idea behind it, but it just doesn’t play nice with older cars or anything with a bit of character. Ended up feeling like I was being graded by a nervous driving instructor who’s never merged onto a busy highway. Honestly, I’d rather pay a few extra bucks than have my insurance rate decided by an app that thinks my car’s personality is a liability.
Guess it works for some folks, but if your ride’s got some muscle or quirks, those trackers are more trouble than they’re worth.
Yeah, those trackers are a pain with anything that’s not a modern sedan. Tried one in my old minivan—same deal, every hard stop or quick merge got flagged. I get wanting to save, but honestly, I’d rather just shop around for discounts or do a defensive driving course. The tech just isn’t there for older rides or anything with a bit of oomph.
The tech just isn’t there for older rides or anything with a bit of oomph.
Honestly, I hear this a lot. Those trackers are marketed as a win-win, but in practice, they can be more trouble than they're worth—especially if your car's not built for smooth, modern driving. Defensive driving courses are a solid move though; most insurers do recognize those. Shopping around is still your best bet, even if it feels tedious. Sometimes the old-school methods just work better.
I’ve wondered about those trackers too—my buddy tried one in his ‘99 Mustang and it just kept glitching out. Have you looked into classic car insurance, or is that off the table with the tickets? Some companies are weirdly flexible if you drive less.
