Suncorp Car Insurance

Letting Big Brother into the car may save on insurance

However, a privacy expert has warned that customers would be selling their privacy for cash.

Suncorp Insurance has been investigating the move on the back of similar programs in the US.

Spokesman Reuben Aitchison said Suncorp had helped fund a University of Sydney study on whether people would accept GPS tracking systems in their cars to monitor risky behaviour, such as driving at night or speeding, if they were offered financial incentives, such as cheaper insurance.

"It definitely has potential," he said.

"The study looked at using a GPS patched into a computer program, which logged data and studied whether we could change risky driver behaviour with incentives such as financial rewards or a discount on insurance premiums."

The Suncorp Group underwrites insurance companies such as GIO, AAMI, Apia, Just Car and Shannons.

Lemm Ex, the office of the Information Commissioner's principal privacy officer, said tracking devices could be sinister "except for the fact that people are consenting".

"There is no question that people would be giving up their privacy for cash, but they would be doing so voluntarily," he said.

"We would be worried if it was involuntary or done surreptitiously, but it's perfectly legal."

Epping mother Shelly Goodwin said the GPS would provide peace of mind to parents as well as cheaper car insurance.

Her son Jay was killed in 2004 when his speeding car crashed metres from the family home.

Lorin Plumridge said she would welcome a monitoring system for her learner-driver daughter, Nikeisha, 16.

"Yes, it would infringe on their privacy, but we have to pay for the car, Rego, insurance and fuel, so I think we are entitled to know that if she says she is from A to B that is what she does, "she said.

Suncorp Car Insurance

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