State Farm is beginning to test RightLane, which collects basic information about a person's driving via an Android smartphone.
With software version 4.0 or greater and a factory-installed Bluetooth device, the app will collect data on a number of behaviors such as mileage, speed, acceleration, braking, cornering, date and time of trip. It also collects location, according to the insurer.
Many insurers, including Allstate’s Drive Wise and Progressive’s Snapshot, have telematics programs that offer discounts to motorists willing to plug devices into their dashboards and have their driving habits monitored. The payoff is possible rate discounts if they drive safely.
The first 5,000 volunteers who complete the program will receive a $50 Visa gift card. Drivers do not need to be policyholders but must have an Android phone and Bluetooth device. They also must drive at least 500 miles over at least 25 days within a 120-day test period and complete a survey when they're done.
No information on individual drivers will be analyzed. The data collected will be used to help State Farm validate the feasibility of smartphone telematics applications.
Currently, State Farm's overall telematics program, Drive Safe & Save, consists of three platforms. Both OnStar and Ford's Sync system measure mileage for State Farm customers who sign up. And In-Drive is a Hughes Telematics Inc. device that State Farm gives interested drivers.
