Insurance Company Offers To Cut Your Premium But There's A Cost

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - One company is offering to cut what you pay for car insurance. However, of course, there is a catch. You have to install a device that monitors just how safely you drive. But is the discount worth the constant surveillance?

State Farm's 'Drive Safe & Save' program uses a device called In-Drive, which is basically a black box recorder that tracks your speed and mileage, how you accelerate, brake, and make turns, even what times you drive.

Discounts start at around 10 percent, and the company says you could end up paying half of your current insurance bill if, like Rob, you're a saint on the Schuylkill.

"Considering I've never been in an accident since I was 16 years old, I would definitely do it."

It's not available in our area yet but 15-year-old Matt likes the idea for when he gets behind the wheel on his parents' insurance next year.

"I'm driving safe, and they get a discount, that's less I have to work for it pay for it."

Lead feet may apply, since there's a web component that gives targeted tips on how to shape up your habits.

It gets a red light, though, from conspiracy theorists.

"I think it's too much surveillance, too much big brother," said one driver named Debbie. "My husband drives and I won't even let him get an E-ZPass. Because I don't want the government tracking when we go over the bridge."

Reported by Ian Bush, KYW Newsradio 1060