FAQs

The most frequently asked questions about car insurance for young drivers and about ingenie are listed below. If you have a question for us that isn’t answered here, you are welcome to contact us via e-mail or Twitter @ingenie.

Pricing

  1. How do I get cheaper insurance with ingenie?

    We use the latest telematics technology to build a picture of your driving DNA, including your attitude to risk and hazard perception. Then, every two weeks you’ll receive Twitter-style messages via the ingenie app or the website, providing feedback on the trends in your driving including speed, acceleration, braking, cornering and swerving. We’ll then review your insurance premium every three months (whether you pay annually or monthly) and if you drive well the cost of your insurance could come down. Our approach is NOT to focus on minor/isolated incidences of bad driving; it’s to assess your overall driving style and trends.

  2. How do you calculate my insurance premium?

    To calculate your initial starting price we need to use some of the standard risk/rating factors - including your car, driving experience and address. Thereafter, so long as your policy details remain the same, your premium will be reviewed quarterly and could be adjusted based on the way you drive.

    The insurance industry calculates insurance premiums by a number of factors, including your car, age, address and driving experience. ingenie uses these standard measures to calculate your starting price. Thereafter, so long as your policy details remain the same, your premium will be reviewed quarterly and is calculated based on the way you drive. Drive well and the cost of your insurance could come down.

  3. Do I get a refund for better driving if I have paid my insurance premium annually in advance?

    Yes, the better drivers in the ingenie community may receive a refund when their policy is reviewed every three months.

  4. Can my insurance go up in price?

    Your ingenie car insurance quote includes an initial price to start your cover and a capped price (the maximum you'll pay provided your policy details stay the same). The telematics device installed in your car assesses your driving style and trends. Your insurance premium is reviewed every three months and if you're doing your bit by driving well, you could get rewarded with cheaper insurance. However, in the event of poor driving, your premium can also rise, but only up to the capped price quoted. This allows you to budget for your car insurance and avoid any unexpected price rises. Premiums can go up as well as down.

  5. Can I pay by monthly instalments?

    Yes, you can pay your insurance with a single payment, or, subject to normal checks, by monthly instalments On average you'll pay a 20% deposit followed by 10 monthly payments.

  6. Is there an additional cost for the ingenie device?

    No, there is no additional cost for the device itself or for fitting it in your car.

  7. Why do quotes from different insurers vary so much?

    Car insurers generally use around 20 different rating factors to determine the annual premiums they offer. The major factors are your age, driving experience, where you live, the car you drive, what you use the car for and who else drives the car. Insurers also consider trends including accident frequency, the costs of repair - including hire car - and compensation (bodily injury etc.).

    Insurers offer different prices due to their own experience with certain rating factors. As a result, there are millions of different pricing combinations and no one insurer will be cheapest or most expensive for every driver.

    ingenie is different to most other insurers - to begin with we use some of the traditional rating factors, but over time (and through using the ingenie device) we are able to better understand you as an individual driver and are able to review your premium based on the way you drive.

  8. Why is my insurance premium higher than the cost of my car?

    This is one of the most talked about questions amongst young drivers. The cost of repairing/replacing your car is only one of the factors used by insurers to calculate your insurance premium. Repairs to other cars that you may have collided with are also taken into consideration. Personal injury claims, particularly for whiplash, have also fuelled increasing insurance costs.

No Claims Discount

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  1. What is a No Claims Discount (NCD)?

    Insurance companies usually reward customers by offering a No Claims Discount for each year that you insure without a claim. NCD typically ranges from 20% to 75%.

    Most experienced drivers have earned several years NCD. This means young drivers pay a higher price until they have a number of years driving behind them.

    ingenie aims to reward the best drivers with a discount based on how they drive, not just for how long they have driven claims-free.

  2. What happens to my No Claims Discount (NCD)?

    ingenie recognises NCD in the normal way. We could then add to your discount with with further money off if you are a better driver.

  3. Can I earn no claims bonuses?

    Yes, ingenie customers can earn a NCD in the normal way and this is applied to your insurance premium at renewal.

Data

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For full details, please see our Privacy Policy

  1. What data does the ingenie device record?

    The ingenie device installed in your car records speed, acceleration, braking, cornering, swerving and usage. We also collect data relating to the type of roads you use and your car's GPS location (which may help the police to recover your car if it is stolen).

  2. How does my driving data affect my premium?

    Each customer's data is recorded for every journey to assess personal driving trends. The data is used to generate a unique driving profile. The best drivers could be rewarded with a discount every three months. However, the worst drivers might see their premium rise (but not beyond the capped price quoted).

  3. How does ingenie use my data?

    We use personal information provided to us to manage your insurance policy. This includes underwriting and handling claims as well as issuing policy renewal documents to you. These activities may involve us releasing personal information to insurers, regulatory authorities or agents providing services on our behalf. Information relating to you and your insurance policy may also be used or shared to help prevent fraud.

  4. My parents would like to see the information on how I am driving - can I share it with them?

    Yes, this is your choice. It is easy to set up an account to let someone else view your driving style within the customer login area of our website.

  5. What information will I be able to see about my personal driving style?

    Based on the data collected, we provide you with individual Twitter-style messages on how you're driving, including speed, acceleration, braking, cornering and swerving. In time you will also be able to see how you are driving compared to the entire ingenie community. Your driver feedback is updated on a fortnightly basis.

  6. How does ingenie protect my data?

    We understand that you may have concerns over how we will use your driving data.

    • We will not release your data to the police or to any civil authorities, unless we suspect fraud or attempted fraud, or if we are required to do so by law or a court order.
    • We will not be using your driving data as a 'speed camera'.
    • We will not use the data to decline your claim simply because you were driving above the legal speed limit.
    • We will use the data to help us identify if another driver is making a false claim against you.
    • We will use the data to help us identify if you are making a false claim.

Policy

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  1. Can I be insured before the device is installed?

    Yes, you are insured from your policy start date. Our service centre will contact you to arrange the fitting of the device. The fitting usually takes place within the first three weeks.

  2. How do I get my policy documents?

    The law changed in 2011 allowing insurers to send out electronic documents. Your policy and other important documents, including your cover note, will be emailed to you once you take out a policy. Your certificate of motor insurance is e-mailed to you once the ingenie device has been fitted.

  3. What if I change my car or cancel the policy?

    If you change your car, you don't need to cancel your policy, but you do need to let us know so we can update your policy details. Your new car will need to be fitted with an ingenie device (there will be an adjustment to your premium and a £65 fitting charge will apply). We will remotely deactivate the device in your old car, so it needn't be taken out. However, if you want it to be removed, this can be arranged at additional cost. If you cancel your policy before the end of the first year, a £150 charge will apply to cover the cost of the ingenie device and its fitting.

    For full details of fees relating to changing your car or cancelling your policy, please see the Terms of Business Agreement.

  4. Can I insure a modified car with ingenie?

    No, and it is important to be truthful when making this declaration during your quote as the car will be inspected when the ingenie device is fitted. Modifications include bodykits, performance enhancements and non-standard alloys.

  5. Am I covered for driving outside of the UK?

    Yes, you are covered for up to 14 days per policy year for driving within the EU. Please refer to section H of the policy wording for full details of cover when driving abroad.

  6. What should I do in event of an accident?

    Please call 0330 303 0021. Our Claims line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Alternatively, if you have downloaded the ingenie app to your mobile, there is helpful information to guide you in the event of an accident and a call button to provide urgent assistance.

  7. Breakdown cover - who provides it and what does it include?

    You can take out breakdown cover with ingenie in addition to your insurance. Our partner Europ Assistance provides the following wide range of benefits within the UK:

    • Home and roadside assistance
    • Vehicle recovery/onward transportation

    Plus, European cover including many useful features that give you protection, even before you have left home. Click here for full details of Europ Assistance's UK and European Motor Breakdown Cover.

  8. How might I recover my car if it's stolen?

    In the event that your car is stolen, you will need to obtain a Crime Reference Number from the police and you should then call us on 0330 303 0021. We will co-operate with the police to help recover your vehicle.

  9. Can I get insured if I don't own the car?

    Yes, provided you have the permission of the car owner and the policy is either in your name or you are a named driver on the policy. However, the main policy holder must be aged 17 to 25.

  10. Can I take out legal protection cover with ingenie?

    Yes, ingenie can add this to your insurance policy for an additional £25. ingenie's legal protection policy, gives you legal representation cover up to £100,000. This helps you to recover your uninsured losses if you have an accident that isn't your fault. Click here for full policy details.

  11. Does ingenie insurance include free courtesy car cover if my car is damaged in an accident?

    Yes, subject to availability, a free courtesy car is supplied, provided your car is repaired by one of our Approved Repairers. ingenie also offers you the opportunity to purchase Upgraded Replacement Car cover, which would provide you with a free replacement car for up to 21 days in the event of an accident or your car is stolen. Click here for more information on replacement car cover.

The ingenie device

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  1. Can the ingenie device be fitted to all cars?

    Yes, fitting of the device is simple, it gets installed by an approved ingenie fitter and generally takes less than an hour. Please take a look at our fitting the device section for more details.

  2. If I was involved in an accident and the ingenie device was damaged, would I have to pay for another box?

    In most cases the ingenie device is fitted behind the dashboard in the vehicle cabin and therefore is very unlikely to be damaged in a minor crash. However, if the box was damaged, you wouldn't have to pay for a replacement, as the cost of the new box would be covered by the insurance as part of the repair cost.

  3. When is the device installed?

    It is installed within the first two to three weeks of the policy becoming active, but don't worry, you are insured from day one. Fitting can take place Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5.30pm and on Saturdays between 9am and 12pm. The fitter will come to your home, college, workplace or other convenient location in mainland Britain.

  4. What does the device look like and where does it go?

    The ingenie device is roughly the size of a mobile phone and is fitted out of sight, usually behind your dashboard. It has no noticeable effect on the operation of the car.

  5. I didn’t have all of my documents to hand at the time my device was fitted – what should I do?

    At the time your device is fitted you should provide the fitter with both copies of your driving license and proof of any No Claim Discount that you may have. You don’t have to send the original documents – copies are fine. If you are unable to provide these documents at the time of the fitting, we must receive them within a week of your fitting date to avoid your policy being cancelled. You can send these to us in the following ways:

    Email:
    help@insurance.ingenie.com

    Post:
    Prospect House
    Gordon Banks Drive
    Trentham Lakes North
    Stoke on Trent
    Staffordshire
    ST4 4TW

    Please include your name and reference number. The reference number is at the top of every letter we send to you.

    Please note that at the time of the fitting you must have your V5C document (also known as your registration document) to show the fitter. If you do not, your ingenie device will not be fitted.

    If you are unable to meet any of these requirements for any reason please call us on 0330 303 0014.

General

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  1. What is telematics?

    You can find out more on this subject by reading our Telematics Explained page.

  2. Is ingenie on price comparison sites?

    No, ingenie does not appear on price comparison sites. Not appearing on price comparison sites allows us to make savings, which we can then pass on to our customers.As a social brand we rely on people finding us through word of mouth.

  3. How does ingenie work when there is more than one driver insured on the car?

    For convenience, there are no restrictions and ingenie allows there to be multiple drivers insured on one car. The feedback and three monthly reviews are therefore based on the combined risk of how the car is driven by all the named drivers on the policy.

  4. What if I exceed the speed limits?

    We assess how you drive and look for trends in your driving habits. However, persistent speeding is likely to result in the cost of your insurance rising to the capped price quoted. In extreme cases, we may cancel your insurance policy.

Other pages you may find useful

Existing Customer

  • Driving feedback
  • Amend my policy
  • My account details
  • Make a claim
  • Stolen car recovery
Customer login login to your ingenie account