I hear you on the older cars—my ‘09 Accord freaked out when I tried plugging in a dongle, and the insurance company just shrugged. I’m curious if anyone’s had luck with those app-based trackers instead? Less hardware, maybe less risk... or am I dreaming?
I’m curious if anyone’s had luck with those app-based trackers instead? Less hardware, maybe less risk... or am I dreaming?
Honestly, the app-based ones aren’t always a magic fix. I tried one with Root and it drained my phone battery like crazy, plus it kept losing GPS signal in parking garages. Not sure it’s really “less risk” either—if your phone dies or you forget it, they might ding your driving score. Hardware dongles are annoying, but at least they’re consistent. Just my two cents.
Not sure it’s really “less risk” either—if your phone dies or you forget it, they might ding your driving score.
I get where you’re coming from about the hardware dongles being more reliable, but I’ve actually had a smoother time with the app-based tracker from Metromile. Didn’t notice much battery drain, and it was nice not having to mess with plugging anything in. Sure, if your phone dies you’re out of luck, but for me that’s pretty rare. I guess it depends on your routine and how much you trust your phone to keep up. The dongle was always falling out of my OBD port anyway... kind of a pain.
Honestly, I’m with you on the dongle thing—mine kept popping out every time I hit a pothole. The app’s been easier for me, but I did get dinged once when my phone died mid-trip. Guess that’s on me for not charging it, but still kinda annoying. At least I don’t have to crawl under my dash anymore... small wins?
I hear you on the dongle drama. I had one from Metromile a couple years back, and it was a constant source of low-level anxiety for me. I’m not exactly a speed demon, but I do a lot of long-haul drives for hiking trips, and every time I’d hit a rough patch of road, I’d be half-expecting the thing to disconnect or throw some error. There was this one time in Utah—middle of nowhere, no cell service—and the dongle just stopped reporting. Spent half an hour fiddling with it at a gas station, hands covered in dust, trying to get it to light up again. Not my favorite memory.
Switched to an app-based setup with MileIQ after that. It’s less hassle overall, but yeah, battery life is now my nemesis. I’ve gotten into the habit of keeping a backup charger in the glove box just in case. Still, there’s always that little worry in the back of my mind—what if my phone dies and it misses a trip? Or worse, what if it logs something wrong and my rates go up? Maybe I’m just paranoid, but I like having some control over what’s being tracked.
Honestly, sometimes I miss the days when insurance was just a flat rate and you didn’t have to think about tech failing you at the worst possible moment. But then again, paying less when I drive less is hard to argue with... even if it means double-checking that everything’s charged before heading out.
Guess it’s all about picking your battles—dongle under the dash or phone on life support. Neither’s perfect, but at least we’re not mailing in odometer photos anymore.