Black Box Insurance FAQs

Will my cover be affected by COVID-19?

Your insurance cover and your ability to make a claim during this time will not be affected. As you may be aware, many companies have their teams working remotely and may be managing with higher staff sickness than normal, so at these times it may take a little longer to get through on the phone.
Read our COVID-19 update here

What is a No Claim Bonus?

It's when you get a reduction in your premium as a reward for having a claim-free record.

I would like to insure the car in my parent's name with me as a named driver, can I do this?

Afraid not. The policy needs the main driver to be aged between 17 and 30. So if you're added to the policy as a named driver but you're actually driving the car the majority of the time then this is what's called 'insurance fronting' which is a form of fraud.

Can I get insurance on a car that's owned by someone else?

Yes, provided the owner of the car is your parent, your spouse/civil partner or a vehicle leasing company.

I already have a telematics device in my car from my previous insurer. Can I use this one instead?

No, for this policy you need to use the telematics device we provide and install in your vehicle.

How do you know who is driving the car?

To be honest, we don't. That's why it's your responsibility to tell all drivers of the vehicle that there is a box installed that will monitor their driving.

Am I insured before the box is installed?

Yes. From the policy starting, you have 14 days to get the device installed.

Is there a mileage allowance on this policy?

No, the policy is based on the annual mileage declared by the policyholder.

Do I need to have a parent or guardian named on my policy?

If you are aged 17 ‐ 21, you will need to add a parent or guardian as a named driver. If you're aged 22 or over, this is optional.

Am I insured to drive outside of the UK?

Yes indeed. You're covered to drive in Europe but with a minimum level of cover. Take a look at section 6 of the Policy Terms & Conditions.

How do I receive my policy documents?

We'll email you a link to log in to access your documents online with the login details you receive.

What does the telematics device measure?

It will measure and then transmit details about how you are driving the car during each of your journeys. It will measure things like speed and acceleration force, braking force and frequency, swerving, sudden manoeuvres, distance travelled, the types of routes driven, the time and date of journeys and your car's location. All of this information will then be used to give you your driver's score. Take a look at our black box explained page to find out more.

What will happen if my box stops working?

Let us know at your first opportunity on 0333 358 3441 and we will send out one of our approved engineers to take a look at it for you.

What happens if I disagree with the data from the telematics device?

You have the right to appeal the results within 24 hours of receiving them. Call us on 0333 358 3441.

How much does the black box cost?

It is included in the price of your policy. The telematics device is self-install. This means you can fit it to the car battery yourself following the instructions provided with the telematics device. All the details you need about this can be found in our Terms of Business document.

What do I do if my car gets stolen?

Inform the police (obtaining a crime reference number) and your insurer at your first opportunity advising them whether your car is fitted with a GPS Device (i.e. black box) that may be able to locate the vehicle’s whereabouts. Please see our make a claim section for more information.

How do I get the telematics device installed?

The telematics device is self-install. This means you can fit it to the car battery yourself following the instructions provided with the telematics device.

When can I view my journeys?

You can view your journeys as soon as your box is fitted and we've given you your login details to the app and online portal If you drive unsafely you could end up with additional charges of £125 or even £250. Take a look at our Driver Caution and Additional Premium process for all the details.

I’ve had a previous Marmalade policy on a car Iborrowed, how do I claim my 5% discount on Black Box Insurance? have

If you’re using the same email address and your details have not changed since your previous policy, your discount should appear on your Black Box Insurance quotation. If you are expecting to see a discount and it does not appear, please give our team a call on 0333 358 3441 and we’ll look into it for you. If you are eligible, we can arrange the policy for you over the phone with the discount applied.

I can’t drive as I need to self-isolate – can I pause my cover?

If you’re self-isolating, it is reassuring to know that whilst you may not be driving, your car is still insured against fire, theft and damage by a third party when it’s parked. Please note that insurance cover is a legal requirement, unless your car is registered SORN (Standard Off Road Notification) and isn’t parked on public roads. If you no longer require insurance, you can cancel your policy by contacting the team on Livechat or 0333 358 3441.

Because the policy provides comprehensive cover, am I insured to drive other vehicles?

No. Because we use the telematics device to monitor your driving, we'll only cover you for the car it's fitted in.

Does the policy cover business travel?

No. The policy doesn't cover business use.

Is there a time curfew?

No. Unlike some telematics offerings which offer black box insurance, you are covered to drive any time you like, day or night.

What is telematics?

Also known as black box insurance, telematics utilises a discreet black box which lets us know how you're driving by sending information to us via a GPS signal. The box measures distance, location, acceleration, braking and average speed and helps us to tailor your renewal premium to your driving style. Read more about telematics here.

Am I able to pay my insurance in monthly instalments?

Yes. You can pay your premium over 10 months with Premium Credit. You will need to pay 20% of your premium up front. Premium Credit will add 10% to the remaining balance to be paid by direct debit over the next nine months.

Will I need to send my proof of No Claim Bonus?

Yes, if you have earned a no claims bonus from a previous policy it may be applied to this cover, as long as: It is available and it is not being used on another vehicle It was earned on a private car policy in the UK The policy it was applied to was in force no less than 2 years prior to your New Driver policy start date You will need to send us proof of your no claims bonus within 28 days to [email protected]. If we don’t receive it then you will either be asked to pay a higher premium or your policy will be cancelled.

Is there a 14 day cooling off period with this policy?

Yes, you can cancel your policy within the first 14 days. We'll refund the part of the premium that hasn't been used with a minimum charge of £25 (except where an incident has occurred that may give rise to a total loss claim, in which case the full annual premium will be payable). If your black box has been fitted we'll have to charge you to remove it. Take a look at our Terms of Business document for all the details.

Can I have more than one named driver?

Yes you can. You're allowed a maximum of two named drivers, one of which will need to be a parent or legal guardian if you're aged 17 ‐ 21. All named drivers must be aged 25 or over.

Will I be building up a No Claim Bonus with this policy?

You certainly will. You can start building this up as soon as your policy starts. After 12 months of cover you will then have gained one year's No Claims Bonus (providing you don't have any accidents or claims). Of course if you have earned a No Claim Bonus already and it is not being used on another vehicle it can be used on this policy (please read question 12 for more details).

What does the telematics device look like and where in the car is it fitted?

It's a little black box about the size of a deck of cards. Black box is fitted to the battery of your car following the instructions provided with the telematics device.

How do I change my insured car?

You need to let us know of any changes to your circumstances to make sure your policy remains valid. You will need to reinstall the telematics device to the battery in the new vehicle.

What happens if I cancel my policy after the cooling off period?

If you need to cancel your policy please call us on 0333 358 3441. As long as you haven't made a claim, we'll issue you a refund, minus the time you have been covered and with an administration fee. The charges are shown in the Terms of Business.

Do you provide legal protection?

This policy does not provide legal protection (to recover uninsured losses and where you, or a named driver, are not at fault) but it does give you access to a legal helpline, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can call this number to discuss any personal legal matter.

If I had an accident and my telematics device was damaged, would I have to pay for another one?

If your vehicle is damaged beyond repair as a result of an insured incident, as part of your claim, your insurance policy will provide for the cost of replacing the telematics device. Otherwise please contact us on 0333 358 3441.

What happens to the telematics device if I sell my car?

There are a few options for you, depending on your circumstances. For example, you will need a new device fitted if you continue with your policy. Take a look at point 11 of our Terms of Business document for all the details you need.

When can I start protecting my No Claim Bonus?

Providing you have earned at least four year's No Claim Bonus you can pay an additional premium to protect it. Please see section 8 of your policy document.

Will I be penalised if I drive badly?

If you drive unsafely you could end up with additional charges of £125 or even £250. Take a look at our Red Journey Process for all the details.