Driving properly, following the rules, and being safe is not easy stuff. However, when you drive safely by following all the traffic and road rules, you will be rewarded.
There comes a nationwide SmartRide program which is a type of insurance program which rewards or benefits you for safe driving. This is given with the motive that you will keep driving safely. Also, this can get you some discounts also when you are buying insurance plans.
What Is Nationwide SmartRide?
Nationwide SmartRide is a usage-based insurance program that makes use of three methods for monitoring the driving process. First, based on the driving measures, it rewards the driver, and as a result, discounts would also be given.
This monitors the driving for a specific time period which is of about five to six months. After that, the performance is marked, and the discounts will be given accordingly. Also, when you get insurance nationwide, it provides the guarantee that there is no increase in the insurance rates.
The program works differently in different countries and gives rewards accordingly. You will be able to get the rewards only when you register or are insured with this program. The discounts given under the program range from about 0% to 40%. Therefore, the average discount given would be about 22%.
How Nationwide SmartRide Works?
The Nationwide SmartRide works in different ways, which include a plug-in device or mobile app. All of these works are slightly different from each other, but the main motive of these is to monitor driving.
Mobile App
- The mobile app simply works by downloading and activating the app on your phone.
- After that, normally drive as you do and give confirmation of the first few trips.
- Keep checking the app often to see your progress.
- When the programs end, then lock in the final discount, and you will get it at the time of policy renewal.
Plug-In Device
- Talking about plug-in devices, you will get a small device that you need to plug into your car.
- Just do driving as you usually do, and then it will start tracking your trips.
- However, your first trip may take time to activate over the website.
- After that, you can check online to track your performance and can also check your discount over there.
- Once your program period ends, you can lock in your discount, and it will be given to you over your next policy renewal.
What Factors Are Measured By SmartRide?
The driving trends or performance would be measured by different driving factors.
Sara Routhier, Director of Outreach at ExpertInsuranceReviews.com, explains that these factors play an important role in overall giving you discounts or rewards:
Miles Driven
It is considered that the more miles or distances you cover, the less your chances of getting the rewards are. This is because more miles could lead to more chances of accidents or crashes. On the other hand, if you drive short distances, you can get a high chance of earning more discounts.
Hard Braking
When you slam on the brakes abruptly and do this continuously, then this is not a sign of safe driving. You will not get the chance to earn rewards and discounts. This will aggressively affect your SmartRide performance and discounts.
Fast Acceleration
In case you accelerate too fast and on a regular basis, then this is treated as violent driving. If SmartRide finds that the speed goes in excess of 7.7 mph per second, then you are not considered for the rewards.
Idle Time
SmartRide also takes into consideration the idle time of your car. For example, the more your car spends idle time in between the traffic lights or between the roads that give the signs of more traffic.
The more traffic there is, the more chances of accidents would be there. Thus the SmartRide would not then give you a chance to earn rewards.
Nighttime Driving
In case you are driving more often at midnight, then there are more chances of accidents. To get eligible for SmartRide discounts or rewards, make sure that your car is parked during the period from midnight to 5 AM.
Is SmartRide Worth It?
The Nationwide SmartRide program is highly beneficial if you are insured with it. This program will give you the ways through which you can save your insurance rates.
In case you are not able to get any discount then also there are no chances of increase in your rates. This means that there is no disadvantage to adding it.
If you stay within the terms of safe driving for the complete program, you can have a maximum discount of up to 40%. So this can be a very great thing you can get from an auto insurance policy. Also, there is a chance of getting initial discounts also.
FAQs
Does SmartRide Track Your Location?
The Nationwide SmartRide program has the feature of tracking the acceleration and braking speed. But it is not able to track your location at any time, so you are safe from that point of view.
For How Long The SmartRide Discount Can Be Locked In?
When the performance period got completed, the discount you have earned will be added to your insurance policy. The discount will be locked in till the time your nationwide insurance plan remains active. You will get this discount at the time when your policy gets renewed.
Does SmartRide Track Your Speed?
Yes, the nationwide SmartRide tracks your speed, acceleration, and braking system. Your average speed will be shown in your weekly reports. But only the average speed cannot be used to give you a discount.
Final Words
When talking about boosting your safe driving, it’s important that you should insure with a nationwide SmartRide program. However, only getting insured is not enough to receive the rewards; you should also keep in mind the required driving factors.
Based on these factors you will get discounts. So this program can be very useful, and all you need to do for this is to just undertake safe driving. Thus follow the driving rules, avoid distractions and get the chance to earn the discounts on your insurance policy.