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Speed: Regularly exceeding the posted speed limit, or “speeding”, remains a top contributor to negative UBI scores for drivers. To stay within the limit more often, try using cruise control, avoid the passing lane, and be mindful on hills and highway onramps where drivers can easily exceed the limit without realizing it.
5 factors that contribute to a negative Usage-Based Insurance (UBI) score
Distracted driving: While it’s impossible to measure screaming children, for instance, it is possible to measure the number of phone interactions a person has while driving. Avoid the temptation to use your phone—which impacts your UBI—by turning on the “Do not disturb” or “Drive mode” function to silence calls or texts. Alternatively, go into your phone’s settings to create auto-reply texts before heading out: e.g., “I’m driving.”
Time on the road: Drivers with the lowest UBI scores spend roughly four times more time on the road compared to drivers with higher scores. While not everyone has alternatives, those who rely heavily on their car may want to explore occasional transit, carpooling, or working remotely. Drivers with flexible schedules could consider changing schedules to avoid heavy traffic.
Harsh accelerations: Hitting the gas quickly, or “flooring it”, indicates risky manoeuvres or aggressive driving which can lower your UBI due to the increased risk of accidents. Harsh accelerations can also lead to harsh braking—a double hit on your score. Do your best to smoothly increase speed while passing other vehicles, merging onto a highway, or driving through an intersection.
Harsh braking: Also called “slamming on the brakes”. Not only is this hard on your car, it also indicates that you may be following other vehicles too closely and lacking attentiveness. Smooth braking involves leaving plenty of room between you and the car ahead, avoiding excessive speeds, and getting familiar with your car’s brake pedal response.
