# Should I cave and use Allstates Drivewise?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-cave-and-use-allstates-drivewise/200405>\
**Category:** General Discussion\
**Created:** [May 22, 2025, 10:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-cave-and-use-allstates-drivewise/200405 "2025-05-22T22:41:33Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![RandomTroll](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/randomtroll/32/12184_2.png) [@RandomTroll](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RandomTroll)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2025, 12:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-cave-and-use-allstates-drivewise/200405/21 "2025-05-24T00:49:08Z")

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> [@jtsanders](#):
>
> Is GM still doing this,

If you read further now they require positive consent. I cite her example because I heard it on the radio this week and the data collected is probably the same as Allstates Drivewise.

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**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2025, 12:54am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-cave-and-use-allstates-drivewise/200405/22 "2025-05-24T00:54:22Z")

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Yeah I told State Farm to shove it when their program came out. (Not really , but I would not consider it). No matter how innocent it starts, I don’t trust them over the long haul. They already have the black box in case of a claim.

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**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2025, 1:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-cave-and-use-allstates-drivewise/200405/23 "2025-05-24T01:44:48Z")

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> [@Old-Days-Rick](#):
>
> however they want me to get an app on my phone to monitor my driving.

What will happen if you refuse?

If you drive to work daily, you will likely be classified as an average driver and a typical insurance customer.

What percentage of customers should qualify for a discount? 5%? 10%? Unlikely most of us would qualify for a discount, many forum members drive a lot more than I do and some have confessed to frequently exceeding the speed limit.

Leave the driving monitors for vehicles that are only used once a month.

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**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2025, 3:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-cave-and-use-allstates-drivewise/200405/24 "2025-05-24T03:35:27Z")

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I’d have a face to face (audit) every year with my agent. Driving 30,000 mile a year on mostly 55 mph roads, I’d tend to get a few violations. They were all on his computer but he just said those aren’t so bad. I did have to cut a tree down that was too close to the house though.

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**Author:** ![johnlump\_191311](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/47e85d/32.png) [@johnlump\_191311](https://community.cartalk.com/u/johnlump_191311)\
**Post date:** [May 25, 2025, 2:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-cave-and-use-allstates-drivewise/200405/25 "2025-05-25T14:45:15Z")

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The companies claim you’ll save money but I’m already in the highest discount category with State Farm so I doubt I’d get any more of a discount. My rate did not go up when I declined the transponder.

Someone upstream (not Bing) talked about disconnecting the transponder when they wanted to drive aggressively. I’m pretty sure they’ve figured that out and they’ll question it.

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**Author:** ![bobby.sc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d2c977/32.png) [@bobby.sc](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bobby.sc)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2025, 12:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-cave-and-use-allstates-drivewise/200405/26 "2025-10-05T12:44:16Z")

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I don’t know if you ended up activating drive wise yet since your post was awhile ago. I activated my drive wise about a week ago. I don’t know how they calculate safe driving. The safest driving time is weekends 5am-11pm which is ok but then low risk is only from 4am-12pm on weekdays. Then moderate risk times are weekdays 12pm-11pm.and high risk are overnight times. It’s nearly impossible to not drive during moderate risk times. I don’t know if they penalize you for driving during those times. But the biggest issue is they track your phone usage. I leave my phone on a stand in the car. I didn’t use my phone but I received text during my drive. I didn’t even open the text or touch my phone and it got marked as phone activity during my trip, so that’s annoying. I will keep it for a little bit and see if my premiums go up or down.

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**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2025, 7:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-cave-and-use-allstates-drivewise/200405/27 "2025-10-05T19:39:18Z")

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Like I said, I would never do this regardless of what discounts they offer, just out of privacy issues. It’s been a while but royalty auto service had a YouTube that during diagnostics they found the type that plugs into the diagnostics connector. Had some negative views on the whole thing. Don’t remember exactly but you can do some research. Just uploading everything to the cloud.

Speaking of privacy, I stopped by Menards to look at brush cutters. When I hit home, I looked at what they had on line. This morning I had an email with the picture I looked at, asking if I wanted to proceed with an order. I have an account with the so Spose that’s how everything is linked. Had the same thing with Home Depot after doing some browsing. Have an account with them too. Have not had that with lowes yet. I think I ordered from them a while back but not sure. I kinda blame apple products for this whole lack of privacy. I kinda grimace every time the wife calls on Siri and there she is ready to help.

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**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2025, 9:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-cave-and-use-allstates-drivewise/200405/28 "2025-10-05T21:05:05Z")

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> [@bobby.sc](#):
>
> But the biggest issue is they track your phone usage. I leave my phone on a stand in the car. I didn’t use my phone but I received text during my drive. I didn’t even open the text or touch my phone and it got marked as phone activity during my trip, so that’s annoying

I’d be screwed then, cause my phone links to Android Auto as soon as I start my truck and starts playing music, I also can of course read/answer text as well as take/make calls all hands free, so that (them monitoring phone usage) alone would keep me from using one… lol

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**Author:** ![JoeMario](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3bc359/32.png) [@JoeMario](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JoeMario)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2025, 9:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-cave-and-use-allstates-drivewise/200405/29 "2025-10-05T21:13:52Z")

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> [@bing](#):
>
> Speaking of privacy, I stopped by Menards to look at brush cutters. When I hit home, I looked at what they had on line. This morning I had an email with the picture I looked at, asking if I wanted to proceed with an order.

It sounds like you were logged into the Menard’s site while you were browsing. Then it makes sense for them to watch your activity.

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**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2025, 10:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-cave-and-use-allstates-drivewise/200405/30 "2025-10-05T22:03:28Z")

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No I wasn’t logged in but of course they have my email and I suppose my computer I’d. Home Depot did the same thing on something else. Sometime I’ll see if it happens with my non apple desk top. You can’t order stuff is out of stock at the store without creating an account. Just kinda surprised us all.

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**Author:** ![JoeMario](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3bc359/32.png) [@JoeMario](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JoeMario)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2025, 10:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-cave-and-use-allstates-drivewise/200405/31 "2025-10-05T22:41:29Z")

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> [@bing](#):
>
> No I wasn’t logged in but of course they have my email and I suppose my computer I’d. Home Depot did the same thing on something else.

Hmm. Then they must be looking at the cookies of when you last logged in to get that information.  
Try clearing your cookies to those sites if you want anonymous browsing.  
See if that helps.

They also could be working off your public IP address (and not your private IP address).  
Some stores use that information. You could get around that by either using a VPN, or browsing incognito. Incognito mode prevents your browser from storing website history.

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**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2025, 11:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-cave-and-use-allstates-drivewise/200405/32 "2025-10-06T11:20:40Z")

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> [@JoeMario](#):
>
> It sounds like you were logged into the Menard’s site while you were browsing. Then it makes sense for them to watch your activity.

They’re called cookies. Some websites will place cookies (small text files stored on your computer). One thing they do is maintain login information for login sessions. But they also allow for companies to track your browsing history for target advertising. I use Microsoft Edge and set the properties to delete cookies every time I close Edge.

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**Author:** ![JoeMario](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3bc359/32.png) [@JoeMario](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JoeMario)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2025, 11:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-cave-and-use-allstates-drivewise/200405/33 "2025-10-06T11:40:02Z")

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I know of three ways for Bing’s tracking scenario to have happened. If you know of more, please share.

1. When you’re logged into a site a browser cookie contains information that identifies your active session and authentication status. Websites very easily know who you are.

2. This is very similar to bullet 1 above. After you log out, many sites leave tracking cookies on your computer to collect lots of data on you, (your online activities, the places you browse, and any of your preferences it can determine).

3. However, in the absence of any cookies, like after you clear them, websites and apps can also use the IP address that they stored from your last visit to their site. Using a VPN helps to prevent sites from knowing your real IP address.

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**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2025, 1:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-cave-and-use-allstates-drivewise/200405/34 "2025-10-06T13:04:47Z")

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Thanks guys, now y’all got me thinking about Cookie Crisp for breakfast…

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**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2025, 3:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-cave-and-use-allstates-drivewise/200405/35 "2025-10-06T15:57:22Z")

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The tracking and subsequent sharing/sale of your data is going on everywhere, not just sites you visit on your PC. Scroll through any social media site and pause briefly to look at something. They know. Stream or cable TV? They know what you watch and when. Have voice control? They’re listening. and on and on. It used to bug me a bit but I’ve given up caring. I will see a particular product advertisement pop up regularly for a while after showing some interest in similar products/topics etc but they eventually move on to the next thing. Part of life today…

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**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/48514_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2025, 4:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-cave-and-use-allstates-drivewise/200405/36 "2025-10-06T16:30:48Z")

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> [@TwinTurbo](#):
>
> Scroll through any social media site and pause briefly to look at something. They know.

+1  
I looked at the online menu for a restaurant chain, and shortly after that, my Facebook feed suddenly began bombarding me with ads for that chain. Similarly, on my phone, I looked-up the address for the Hermès store in Princeton, and now I keep getting Hermès ads popping-up on my phone.

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**Author:** ![Beancounter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/59ef9b/32.png) [@Beancounter](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Beancounter)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2025, 8:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-cave-and-use-allstates-drivewise/200405/37 "2025-10-06T20:43:25Z")

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What’s the value of your privacy?

Is it worth $10, $20 or $50 a month to you to tell some entity and the people accessing the data about every trip you made and how you behaved on the trip?

I’m a cautious driver, over 40+ years without a ticket, chargeable accident or insurance claim but I consider these apps to be a personal intrusion and would never agree to this.

It’s a personal decision, just how much is it worth to you to give up one more aspect of your personal freedom and what it’s worth to you?

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**Author:** ![LoudThunder](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/loudthunder/32/27769_2.png) [@LoudThunder](https://community.cartalk.com/u/LoudThunder)\
**Post date:** [October 7, 2025, 1:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-cave-and-use-allstates-drivewise/200405/38 "2025-10-07T01:04:38Z")

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> [@bing](#):
>
> I kinda blame apple products for this whole lack of privacy.

It happens on Android devices too.

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**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\
**Post date:** [October 7, 2025, 2:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-cave-and-use-allstates-drivewise/200405/39 "2025-10-07T02:17:46Z")

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If you are 10 or 15 over on the interstate to keep up with the flow of traffic do they care?

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**Author:** ![Robert-Gift](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/robert-gift/32/356_2.png) [@Robert-Gift](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Robert-Gift)\
**Post date:** [October 7, 2025, 4:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-cave-and-use-allstates-drivewise/200405/40 "2025-10-07T04:16:59Z")

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Di$count for excellent driving?  
I would sign up.  
But when I am performing a medical transport,hat could be a problem.  
State Farm may believe 130 mph is inaccurate reading, as did the Toll Highway employee when she reviewed my useage record.  
As a Greenie and registered tree-hugger I brake gently and accelerate gently to reduce emissions and be gentle on the vehicle. Turn signal every turn and lane change and only 4 mph over speed limits. (74 in 65 zone)

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