Black Box Car Insurance

Yes, the black box system can provide information on where the car is parked. As well as informing about driving habits, telematics data will also track the location of your car when parked overnight.

Black box installation fees are arranged with your insurer. Whilst some insurance providers will fit a black box free of charge, others may charge up to £150 for fitting.

The consequences of speeding whilst fitted with a black box will differ per insurer. However, in most cases, if you're caught speeding whilst being monitored, your policy will be cancelled and you'd need to find an alternative insurer to provide you with a policy.

Typically, most car insurance providers will cover you for 12 months, so that's how long you'll need to keep the black box fitted for. Once the policy ends, you can then opt to renew it and keep the black box, or leave the policy and remove the black box.

It's believed that insurance premiums could be reduced by around 25% when the policy holder's vehicle is fitted with a black box. Therefore, naturally, for new drivers black boxes are a great option if they're looking for cheaper car insurance premiums.

It's unlikely your insurer will enforce a curfew on your driving. However, if you regularly drive late at night, the amount of you save on your policy premium may be less than a driver that drives less frequently at night.

Yes, someone else can drive your car with a black box, as long as the driver is insured to the car. However, the black box will most likely be able to identify the new driver and their driving could affect your score.

Ultimately, you should make your insurer aware if a family or friend intends on driving your car.

Thanks to modern day technology, most black boxes now are able to recognise if you've been involved in a crash.

Black boxes can measure G-force, so the impact of a crash or cars colliding will be made aware to insurers when they come to collect driving data.

Not normally. While some insurers might set a yearly mileage limit, there’s usually no fixed cap in place. That said, just like with any standard car insurance policy, you’ll still need to give a realistic estimate of your annual mileage when you take out black box insurance. As long as you’re honest upfront, you won’t be penalised just for clocking up more miles than expected.

Whether you’re commuting daily, off on weekend trips, or just nipping around town, giving an accurate mileage estimate helps insurers give you the right quote and keeps your cover valid. If your actual mileage ends up being way off and you didn’t declare it properly, it could cause issues if you need to make a claim.

In many cases, yes — especially if your policy comes with a smartphone app. These apps often track how your phone’s used while you’re driving. Hands-free use for things like maps or music is usually fine, but anything more could raise a red flag.

Remember: using your phone while driving is dangerous and illegal. If the app detects unsafe phone use, it could lower your driving score. In more serious cases, it might even lead to your telematics policy being cancelled.

If someone else drives your car and you’ve got a telematics insurance policy, their driving can affect your score, especially if they’re not listed on the policy. Black boxes don’t know who’s behind the wheel, so any risky driving like speeding, harsh braking, or late-night trips, could affect your driver score.

If the person is a named driver on your policy and drives the same car, some insurers might be able to separate their driving data from yours, especially if the policy uses an app linked to individual phones. But with standard telematics devices, all driving is usually treated as yours.

It’s always worth checking your telematic policy’s rules around additional drivers. Make sure anyone using your car is properly insured and aware of the black box.

Usually, you’ll have the black box for as long as your policy lasts. Some insurers might remove it when you renew, while others leave it in place if you stick with them. If you decide to switch providers or cancel your policy, you may need to return the device or arrange for it to be professionally taken out.

It’s important to keep the black box installed and active throughout your policy. Taking it out early could lead to your cover being cancelled or any claims being rejected.

It usually doesn’t take long. Most black box installations are done within an hour. Once your policy is active, your insurer will either arrange a fitting appointment or send you a self-install device, depending on the type of telematics device.

Yes. Once the black box is installed and activated, you’re good to go. Whether it’s fitted by a professional or it’s a plug-in device you install yourself, you can start driving as soon as everything’s set up and your insurer confirms it’s live.

Here at Howden, we pride ourselves on doing the heavy lifting, so you don’t have to. This is no different when it comes to getting you your black box car insurance. Thanks to the great relationships we have with our selected panel of insurers, including the black box car specialists at Marmalade, we make the process of comparing multiple insurance policies, on your behalf, simple and easy. What’s not to like?

As an insurance broker, we also know that each policy needs to be as individual as its owner and their driving experience. That’s why we provide a personalised service, focused on getting to know you and finding out exactly what you want from your black box car insurance.

Ultimately, whether you need to make a claim, purchase a new black box policy, or renew an existing one, just know we’re here to help.

From first gear to full licence: explore our latest guides for young drivers

Learning to drive 

• Your provisional driving licence
• How do I find the right driving instructor? Our top 10 tips
• How many driving lessons do you need?
• How much do driving lessons cost in the UK?
• The 10 cheapest cars to insure for learner drivers in 2025
• Private practice: everything you need to know
• Manual vs automatic cars: which is best for learner drivers?
• Learner driver insurance: a complete guide
• Driving lesson anxiety: 10 tips for nervous drivers

The theory test 

• How to book your theory test: a 6 step guide
• The 5 best theory test apps for learners in 2025
• Top 10 tips for passing your theory test
• Taking the theory test if you have learning difficulties, a disability or health condition

The practical test 

• How to book your practical driving test in 2025
• Where are you most likely to pass your driving test?
• 15 driving test tips to help you ace your test
• Are you ready for your test? Your driving test checklist
• Your practical driving test questions answered

After passing

• What happens after I pass my driving test?
• New driver insurance: 10 money saving tips
• The Pass Plus course: is it actually worth it?
• Black box insurance myth-busting
• New drivers and penalty points: what are the rules?

Everything you need to know about cars and the insurance policies which cover them. Explore more topics in our Car Insurance Guides.

• Your guide to car insurance for 17 year olds
• Your guide to Cat S car insurance
• If my car is written off what happens to my insurance-policy?
• When does my car insurance run out?
• Can you use a no claims bonus on two cars?
• Car insurance for non UK residents
• How much voluntary excess should I pay on car insurance?
• Can you drive a SORN car to an mot without insurance?
• What are car insurance occupation categories?
• Car insurance change of address: what to know
• Car insurance without a black box: what to know
• Car insurance cancellation laws in the UK

Read more car guides

Learn more about the ins-and-outs of cars through our car guides:

MOT guides

• Free MOT checker - Check a vehicle's MOT history
• MOT FAQs - Everything you need to know about MOTs
• Motorcycle MOTs: All you need to know
• What Does MOT Stand For? MOT Terms Explained
• Your complete MOT checklist
• When do I need an MOT?
• Can You Insure a Car Without an MOT?
• Can You Tax a Car Without an MOT?
• What MOT Class is My Vehicle?
• How long does a MOT take?
• Drive without an MOT - what you need to know
• How to report a car with no MOT

Owning a car

• All the Info You Need on Your V5C Log Book
• V5C New Keeper Slip: How to Change a Car’s Registered Keeper
• How to change a car battery
• What does a car service include?
• How much oil does my car need? A handy guide
• Car warranty cover: What to know
• What is ESP on a car?
• How long do car tyres last?
• How long does a car battery last?
• Wrong fuel in your car? Here’s what to do
• Car Insurance Groups [A Complete Guide]
• Car Insurance Group Checker
• New registration plates for 2025: UK number plates explained

Car Tax

• Free Car Tax Check: Check if Your Vehicle is Taxed
• UK car tax changes 2025: what you need to know
• Can You Tax a Car Without an MOT?
• How to tax a car: Your complete guide
• How much will electric car tax be?
• Can you tax a car without insurance?

Modified Car

• Modified Car Insurance FAQs
• Is modified car insurance cheaper?
• How much is modified car insurance?
• Does your insurance go up if you modify your car?
• Driving a modified car and don’t know it?
• Can you get modified van insurance?
• Can you modify a financed car?

Classic Cars

• When Does a Car Become a Classic?
• Your guide to low-mileage car insurance
• How old does a car have to be for classic car insurance?

Read more car guides