LexisNexis, which generates consumer risk profiles for the insurers, knew about every trip G.M. drivers had taken in their cars, including when they sped, braked too hard or accelerated rapidly.
When I bought my truck in December, I was specifically on the hunt for something that had no connected features whatsoever, explicitly for the reasons in the article. I ended up finding a 2020 Ram that has a simple dumb infotainment system, and upon opening the dash to rip out the cellular module (I opted for a 19/20 Ram specifically for this), there wasn't even one installed. I know my phone is already tracking way too much, but I'm not about to let my insurance rate skyrocket because a computer deems me sliding on ice during the winter as driving irresponsibly.
How long though, before simply not having connected features counts against us? Not hard to imagine a future where it's mandatory in order to get insurance at all.
I'll just sell my car at that point. If the privilege to drive is contingent on submitting to automotive surveillance then I'm going back to biking for groceries and calling a taxi for anything I can't reach by bus.
General Motors is not the only automaker sharing driving behavior. Kia, Subaru and Mitsubishi also contribute to the LexisNexis “Telematics Exchange,” a “portal for sharing consumer-approved connected car data with insurers.” ...
Verisk also claims to have access to data from millions of vehicles and partnerships with major automakers, including Ford, Honda and Hyundai.
In case anyone was looking for a list of manufacturers to avoid... So just about all of them, really.
And also you are likely to buy a car that you will only get in a year (or more) and half the electronics might be missing their chip. You'll get all sorts of garbage car apps and features that are meant to be deactivated in a few years when the subscription model is mainstream.
So I just bought a 2011. Standard transmission, 160k km, no monthly payments. Even with the worse possible maintenance/repair and the high prices for gas, I easily saved 25k. I could change the entire engine 5 times and it would still be cheaper than one major repair on new cars.