What is black box insurance?
Black box insurance uses technology to help drivers save money and promote safe driving. A small telematics device, also referred to as a black box, is used to assess your driving habits like speed and braking. This data helps insurers adjust your premiums based on how safely you drive, potentially lowering your costs if you’re a careful driver.
This insurance offers more control over what you pay and rewards safe driving habits. It’s popular with drivers who face high premiums. The detailed data from the telematics device can sometimes assist in quickly resolving claims if an accident occurs, providing added security on the road. The data can also help protect you against false claims from other drivers.
Who are Ticker?
RAC have teamed up with Ticker, an award winning, UK-based telematics insurance specialist. Rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot, with Ticker you manage your black box insurance policy directly through the RAC Black Box app.
Customer support is provided through app-based chat only (always with a real person). This is unless you’re making a claim – the claims phone line is open 24/7.
What’s included with black box insurance?
Black box or telematics car insurance is a great way to reduce how much you pay over time. If you drive well in the first year, you could get a lower quote with us the next year.
Rewards for good driving
Drive safely throughout the year and you could be rewarded with a lower premium at renewal
No curfews
You’re free to drive at any time you like* – you can choose your own mileage as well.
Uninsured driver cover
You’ll keep your no claims discount even if you’re hit by an uninsured driver.
What's covered
30 days cover in the European Union (same level of cover you have in the UK)
Cover for accessories
Emergency treatment
Courtesy car as standard (subject to availability and eligibility, if using our nominated repairer)
Repairs guaranteed (for 5 years at approved garages)
Replacement locks and theft of keys
Sound and sat-nav equipment – up to £300, or unlimited if manufacturer-fitted
Window glass cover
New car benefit
Personal accident benefit – up to £5,000
Medical expenses – up to £200
Personal belongings – up to £300
Uninsured driver promise
Transport home after an accident – anywhere in GB
Child seat cover
24/7 claims line
What's optional
RAC Breakdown Cover – Choose from a range of cover levels to keep you moving in the event of a breakdown.
Motor Legal Protection – Cover up to £100,000 of legal expenses
NCD Protection – You can add this when you buy your policy
Am I eligible for black box car insurance?
Whether you’re just starting out or just driving fewer miles – RAC Black Box Car Insurance has you covered. The table below shows what can and can’t be covered for young and new drivers.
We can offer cover
If the policyholder or named driver is 17–21 years old and has held a full UK licence for less than 2 years
If the policyholder or named driver is 22+ years old and has held a full UK licence for between 2–8 years
If the vehicle value is £500–£45,000
If the declared mileage is 1,000–18,000 miles a year
If use is for social, commuting or business use
For up to three drivers including the policyholder
We won’t cover
Drivers who have held a licence for 9 years or more
Drivers aged 71+
Vehicles valued over £45,000
Modified vehicles
Vehicles used for private hire, tuition or in the motor trade
How does black box insurance work?
Ticker will send you a telematics device in the post along with instructions on how to fit it. You’ll need to install it in your car as soon as it arrives and follow the steps below.
Device sent by post
You’ll receive a self-fit telematics device in the post along with simple instructions on how to install it.
Simple setup
You’ll need to register in the app within 24 hours of your cover starting. The device needs to be installed as soon as you receive it.
Check the RAC Black Box app
Your app will confirm your device is connected. Your score will be updated in the app every Monday.
Manage your policy via the app
With RAC Black Box Car Insurance, customer service is fully digital via the RAC Black Box app, so no need to wait to speak to someone on the phone. The app is where you’ll find everything you need to manage your cover, all in one place. You can make quick changes to your policy, start a chat with an online agent, get help with making a claim or renew your policy. In the app you’ll also be able to view your current driving score – the better your score, the more likely you are to get a lower price when it's time to renew.
What customers are saying about our partner Ticker
Frequently Asked Questions about Black Box Car Insurance
Black box car insurance is popular with new and young drivers, who have less experience behind the wheel, which means they often pay higher insurance prices.
Anyone who has a full or provisional UK driving licence can get black box car insurance, subject to acceptance criteria. If you’re still learning to drive, you may want to consider specialist learner driver car insurance.
By driving safely over the first year of your cover, you can earn a higher driving score. This could help you pay less for your insurance when you renew.
Your driving score is based on how well you keep to the speed limit, how severely you speed up and slow down, among other factors.
Driving safely and efficiently can also save you money on fuel, tyres and vehicle maintenance.
And, if you don’t make a claim within the year, you’ll build up a no claims discount, which may also reduce your premium at your next renewal.
Telematics insurance assesses the way you drive through a black box installed in your car. It looks at things like your speed, acceleration and braking, to calculate how safe a driver you are. And your insurance premium is based on this.
Yes. As with other car insurance, you can earn a year’s no claims discount (NCD) by completing a full 12 months of insurance without making a claim. The NCD will be applied to your quote at renewal.
If they’re insured to drive your car, then yes. But remember – the device won’t be able to tell who’s driving, so their driving will affect your driving score.
If the person is named on your black box policy, they must download and register with the app.
Congratulations – you’re one step closer to being a fully-fledged motorist! If you haven’t noticed yet, driving can be expensive. You’ll need a well-maintained, roadworthy car, pay for road tax, and, of course, to get insurance.
While you can control how much you spend on your car (as long as it’s legal), the road tax depends on your car’s model, make, and age.
As a new driver, though, car insurance can be a big surprise. It’s common for first-time drivers to face higher premiums. This is where telematics car insurance can help. It’s designed for new (and younger) drivers, offering a way to lower your insurance costs by showing your insurer that you’re a safer driver.
Q. What happens with the data that the device collects?
The data from your device is used to assess your driving style and alert you if you need to drive more safely and responsibly. Going forward, your premium is then based on how safely you’ve driven during the year.
As the policyholder, you can access your driving score and feedback via the app. Your driving data isn’t shared with anyone else (but other named drivers on your policy will be able to see your score via the app).
Q.What if I need to disconnect my telematics device?
It’s fine for a mechanic to disconnect the device as part of a service or check-up. Just make sure you ask them to reconnect it before they pass your car back. It’s best to let the garage know you have a telematics device when you get there, in case they need to drive the car during the service.
If you have a stick-on telematics device, you won’t need to remove it unless you change insurers, or if you need a new one sent to you.
Likewise, if you’re carrying out checks yourself, don’t forget to re-install the device before you start driving again.
If your device isn’t reconnected, the app will send you a notification to remind you. If your device remains disconnected, your policy may be cancelled.
Q. When do I need to have the telematics device fitted?
You’ll need to fit your telematics device as soon as it arrives. Your device will be delivered to you as soon as possible by Royal Mail. If your policy starts before your box has arrived, you’re still insured to drive, as long as you fit the box as soon as it arrives.
You’ll need to download and register with the RAC Black Box app within 24 hours of your cover starting. This is a requirement of your policy.
Q. How do I install my telematics device?
RAC Black Box Car Insurance uses two types of self-fit devices, depending on your car make and model. It should only take a few minutes to install. When you purchase a policy, you’ll be sent the device best suited to your vehicle.
- OBD-II devices are plugged into your car’s 'On Board Diagnostic' Port.
- Stick-on boxes can be attached to the inside of your windscreen and connected via Bluetooth to your phone.
Once installed, your device must remain in your car for the duration of your policy. If you change your car, you’ll need to move the device into your new car within 24 hours.
Please refer to your policy documentation for instructions on how to fit your device. You can also find these in the app.
Q. Who is Ticker?
Ticker is a UK telematics insurance specialist. As well as having an Excellent rating on Trustpilot, they’ve also won awards for customer service, making insurance easier and technology innovation. We’ve partnered with Ticker to bring their telematics expertise to RAC Black Box Car Insurance.
Q. Can I amend my policy online?
Yes, you can make changes via the app, such as updating your mileage or changing your vehicle. For some changes you’ll need to chat to our customer team, which may incur a fee. You can do this via the app.
If you purchased your policy before 26/03/25, changes can be made via your online account.
Q. Can I drive at night?
Yes. There are no night-time curfews, and we won’t charge you a fee for driving at night.
However just so you know, driving at night on a regular basis will have an effect on your driving score, so it could affect your renewal price at the end of the year. This is because the chances of having an accident increase during these hours.
Q. Am I insured to drive my car before the box is fitted?
Yes. If your policy starts before your device has arrived, you’re still insured to drive your car temporarily. Just make sure you fit the device as soon as you receive it.
Q. Does black box car insurance work with any car?
Yes. There are two types of telematics devices – an OBD device, and a stick-on device that fixes to the inside of your windscreen. The correct device will be sent to you based on your car’s make and model.
Q. Is there a RAC Black Box app?
Yes. If you have RAC Black Box Car Insurance, you need to download and log into the RAC Black Box app within 24 hours of your cover starting. From here you can check your driving score, as well as make changes to your policy or start a chat with an agent.
All named drivers on your policy must download and register with the app.
Q. How long is my quote valid for?
A quote for RAC Black Box Car Insurance is valid for 10 days.
Q. Will you tell the police if I speed?
If you speed, this isn’t reported to the police or anyone else, including insurers. The police can request data in special circumstances – for example by court order – and data collected by your device may be shared with them if it is lawful to do so.
Q. What happens if my car is stolen?
If your car is stolen, you should always report this to the police. If we can, we’ll provide you with the last known location of your RAC Black Box.
Page reviewed by: David Buxton