UBI Labs: Frequently asked questions about Snapshot

Typically, car insurance rates are based on a variety of factors related to your driving history or the histories of drivers who are similar to you. Snapshot prices your insurance differently and personalizes your insurance rate based on your actual driving (called usage-based insurance). The better you drive, the more you can save, and it's free to participate.

Snapshot collects information about how you drive, how much you drive, and when you drive. If you’re using the Snapshot Mobile app, details about your handheld phone use behind the wheel will also be collected. While location data is collected as well, it doesn’t impact the Snapshot results you earn, but may be used for underwriting purposes. We’re committed to keeping your driving information secure.

For details, see the Snapshot Privacy Statement.

No. The mobile app will not impact your ability to use any of your phone's regular features while driving or otherwise.

The Snapshot Mobile app uses GPS to calculate your speed over time, mileage, and driving behaviors such as hard braking. Location data is used to provide trip information on the phone. It may also be used for underwriting purposes, but is not used in determining your personalized rate.

The app uses Wi-Fi to send us your trip information. The app also uses Wi-Fi to more accurately determine when a trip begins and to complement GPS location data.

In addition to contacting your mobile carrier to discuss your plan and international implications, you should pause the app for the time period that you know you will be out of the country.

No. Snapshot collects phone usage only while you are driving, and does not know who you are calling or otherwise contacting.

iOS/iPhones

The following settings and permissions are required for your app to function properly:

• Background App Refresh: This enables the app to record driving data while it's running in the background on your phone. For best results, this setting must be enabled for the Snapshot Mobile app at all times. This setting can be found in the Settings app under General > Background App Refresh.
• Location Services: Location services are used to calculate driving behaviors such as hard braking, mileage, and may be used for underwriting purposes. For the app to work properly, Location Services must be enabled at all times. This setting can be found in the Settings app under Privacy > Location Services.
• Wi-Fi: The app uses Wi-Fi to send us your trip information. The app also uses Wi-Fi to more accurately determine when a trip begins and to complement the GPS location data.
• App Running: In order for the app to properly record safe driving, please do not delete or close the app. It is okay for the app to be running in the background.

Android

The app should work on most Android phones without any special configuration. Upon installation, the app will request access to the following:

• Location: Location services are used to calculate driving behaviors such as hard braking, mileage, and may be used for underwriting purposes. On newer versions of Android, in Settings>Location>Mode needs to be set to "High Accuracy" or the app can't use GPS (just cellular). On older Android version, Settings>Location needs to have all Locations Service source options enabled. Examples include, GPS satellites, Location Services and Google Location Services (or Google WiFi Location Information).
• Wi-Fi: The app uses Wi-Fi to send us your trip information. The app also uses Wi-Fi to more accurately determine when a trip begins and to complement GPS location data.
• Modify or delete the contents of your SD card: Google Maps, used for displaying your trips in the app, requires this setting to cache map data. We don't modify or delete any of your existing SD card content.
• Read phone status and identity: Required to detect distraction-free driving.
• App Running: In order for the app to properly record safe driving, please do not delete or close the app. It is okay for the app to be running in the background.

As long as the app is installed on your phone and your phone is on during trips, it will collect your driving data (unless it is paused).

The app uses very minimal data. Battery use is also low when not driving. When driving, the battery use is comparable to other driving and navigation apps. If you take long car trips, we recommend charging the phone while driving.

As long as the app is installed on your phone, and the phone is on, you do not need to do anything when you get in the car. The app will be able to detect the start of your trip and begin collecting information on its own.

The Snapshot Mobile app detects movement of a certain speed and distance to determine when a trip starts. No action is necessary on the part of the user.

It is normal to occasionally notice that the app does not collect every trip or in some cases it captures only part of a trip. There are certain situations—like low battery, sparse cell towers, etc.—that can cause incomplete or missing trips. If you are finding that this is happening on the majority of your trips, please call us at 877-329-7283 for assistance.

If you notice that we have miscategorized a trip, you have an opportunity in the app to correct it.

The app can be paused for up to two weeks at a time. An example of a reason that you might pause the app is traveling out of the country. If we determine that the app is being repeatedly paused and we are not collecting enough trip data, you will need to switch to the plug-in device to keep the benefits of the program.