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Insurers test services that let parents monitor teens’ driving behavior

Keeping Tabs on Your Teen

With his daughter’s license in jeopardy, Mr. Mueller installed a tracking device, Teensurance, in the dashboard of her Volkswagen Jetta. Sold by Safeco, which insures the Jetta, the gadget uses G.P.S. technology to monitor Becky’s location and how fast she is driving.

For $14.99 a month, Mr. Mueller can get e-mail or text message alerts if Becky exceeds preset limits, like driving more than 15 miles from home or faster than 60 miles an hour. He checks a Web site to view satellite images that show the location of Becky’s car. And a roadside assistance feature unlocks the car’s doors for Becky, if needed.

“In today’s society, it’s a heck of a lot more convenient for a kid to have a car, but we wanted some assurances that she’d follow the rules,” Mr. Mueller said.

Becky initially disliked being tracked, but she has grown used to it.

“I don’t necessarily like it, but it keeps me out of trouble, and now that I’ve had things happen to me, I wish I had it before,” she said.

Starting on Thursday, Safeco will offer discounts to policyholders who use the device. A Safeco rival, A.I.G., does not offer discounts for MobileTeenGPS, a similar product that sells for $19.99 a month.

While privacy advocates are concerned that the devices could be used to penalize some drivers, the technology is likely to spread because it lets parents keep tabs on their teenagers, as well as helps insurers better manage their risk.

“If history is any guide, it will be a pleasant option for a few people at first and then it will become almost impossible not to have it because of the discounts,” said James Katz, director of the Center for Mobile Communications Studies at Rutgers University.

6/09/2007
Using GPS to watch the kids

Here is what Kim Komando writes about MobileTEEN GPS ...

MobileTEEN GPS

This thing is installed behind the dash. You can do it yourself, or have it done professionally. Once installed, you go to a Web site and set its parameters. Those include the car's speed and geographic limitations. You then enter up to three cell phone numbers. Those phones are alerted if the car violates your parameters. One phone number should be your teenager's. That's an electronic back seat driver!

You can monitor the car's speed and location anytime on the Web. The unit also will alert you if it has been turned off. In addition, it keeps weekly logs. Use them to coach your teenager.

The unit's price is $469.00. There is also a monitoring charge of $14.95 per month.

(click here to read the full story ...)

MobileTEEN GPS™ is featured on the Hallmark Hall of Fame Presentation "Road To Forgiveness" on Sunday, April 22nd at 8pm/7c