Insurer says it's more accurate because it plugs into driver, not vehicle
Plug-in devices that monitor driving habits in exchange for a possible auto insurance discount are nothing new.
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| Regressive's driver-monitoring suppository beeps loudly if it detects unsafe driving |
But a state-of-the-art device, called Assure, from Regressive Insurance, is different from the others; it plugs into the driver rather than the car's diagnostic port.
We spoke with Skeetz Barner, Regressive's marketing director about the indigo-hued, bullet-shaped device.
PP: What is the Assure?
SB: Well, basically, it's a suppository, but a damned comfortable one, if I may say so. Like other systems, it collects driving data for a 30-day period. But while other companies' devices are connected to the car's OBD II port, ours plugs directly into the driver and measures what we call "pucker factor."
PP: Pucker factor? Should I ask?
SB: I probably wouldn't.
PP: What happens if the Assure detects unsafe driving?
SB: It has little red and green lights on it that start flashing, but, as you can imagine, those are pretty difficult to see. So we also added a little horn that honks repeatedly until the driver slows down.
PP: Do you have to, um, install it each time you get behind the wheel?
SB: Most people do, but I wear mine all the time. In fact, I'm plugged in right now. Your Regressive agent will also install it for you at no cost.
PP: That's nice. Any drawbacks to using Assure?
SB: Some people have complained that it honks while they're playing Grand Theft Auto. We're working on that.
SB: Well, basically, it's a suppository, but a damned comfortable one, if I may say so. Like other systems, it collects driving data for a 30-day period. But while other companies' devices are connected to the car's OBD II port, ours plugs directly into the driver and measures what we call "pucker factor."
PP: Pucker factor? Should I ask?
SB: I probably wouldn't.
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| Regressive agent Poppy Boogaard installs an Assure device for customer Mitt Dibbleman |
PP: What happens if the Assure detects unsafe driving?
SB: It has little red and green lights on it that start flashing, but, as you can imagine, those are pretty difficult to see. So we also added a little horn that honks repeatedly until the driver slows down.
PP: Do you have to, um, install it each time you get behind the wheel?
SB: Most people do, but I wear mine all the time. In fact, I'm plugged in right now. Your Regressive agent will also install it for you at no cost.
PP: That's nice. Any drawbacks to using Assure?
SB: Some people have complained that it honks while they're playing Grand Theft Auto. We're working on that.
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