Navigating car insurance policies and accident claims in Louisiana can be overwhelming, especially when unexpected factors like driving scores come into play.
Your driving score may seem like just another number, but it can significantly impact your car insurance rates in Louisiana, sometimes without you even realizing it. With decades of experience helping clients in Baton Rouge and across Louisiana, our team of personal injury lawyers at Pierce & Shows is dedicated to protecting your rights and ensuring you’re treated fairly by insurance companies.
In this blog, let’s explore what driving score means, how it’s calculated, and what you can do to protect your privacy and your wallet.
What Is a Driving Score, and Why Does It Matter for Louisiana Drivers?
Like in other states, insurance companies in Louisiana can use driving scores to adjust premiums based on your driving behavior. Factors considered in calculating your score may include:
- Hard braking incidents
- Exceeding speed limits
- Phone use while driving
- Night-time driving
This score, while often unnoticed, can have a direct impact on your car insurance rates. Under Louisiana Revised Statutes (La. R.S.) 22:1267, insurance companies in the state are allowed to use telematics to assess a driver’s risk. Unlike a credit score, accessing your driving score is not always easy, even though it can greatly affect your premiums.
How Are Insurance Companies in Louisiana Tracking a Driver's Habits?
Insurance companies in Louisiana have adopted usage-based insurance (UBI) plans that track driving habits and assess risks based on real-time data.
Privacy concerns have led many drivers to avoid these programs, but insurers still gather driving data through alternative means, such as:
- Automakers that install tracking systems in vehicles.
- Several smartphone apps commonly used in Louisiana collect driving data, often without users fully realizing it. These apps may serve a variety of purposes, such as:
- Family tracking applications that allow parents to monitor their children’s locations and driving behavior.
- Weather apps that provide forecasts but also track driving habits in the background.
- Fuel-saving apps that help users locate the best gas prices while also monitoring fuel efficiency and driving patterns.
These apps frequently partner with data analytics companies that gather and analyze driving behavior. This data is then shared with auto insurance companies to assess driving risks and potentially adjust insurance rates.
In many cases, the consent to share this data is included in the app’s terms and conditions, often buried in the fine print, making it easy for drivers to overlook what they are agreeing to share.
How Can Louisiana Drivers Stay Informed and Protected?
Car insurance pricing in Louisiana involves several factors, such as:
- Credit score
- Age and gender
- Location
- Vehicle type
Telematics adds another layer by factoring in your driving habits. While this technology can lead to fairer rates, it’s important to stay informed about how your data is being used.
Here’s how you can protect your data:
- Check privacy settings on your vehicle’s systems and apps to see what data is being collected.
- Review terms and conditions for any apps that track your driving behavior.
- Opt out of data sharing whenever possible if you’re uncomfortable with how your information is used.
Staying vigilant about your data helps ensure you control what’s being shared and how it affects your insurance. An experienced Louisiana lawyer can help you understand your rights, ensure your privacy is protected, and advocate for fair treatment by insurance companies.
How Can a Car Accident Lawyer Help?
At Pierce & Shows, we are committed to protecting your rights and ensuring you receive fair treatment from insurance companies in Louisiana.
With our extensive experience handling car accident claims and insurance disputes, our team of lawyers in Baton Rouge can assist you if:
- You’re concerned about how your driving score is affecting your insurance premiums.
- You’ve been involved in a vehicle accident and need legal guidance.
- You have questions about how your driving data is being collected and used by insurance companies.
- You want to better understand Louisiana’s telematics laws and how they apply to your situation.
With the right legal team, you will be guided through the complexities of insurance policies and telematics laws, including La. R.S. 22:1267 and related statutes.
Contact Our Car Accident Lawyers at Pierce & Shows Today
If you’re facing challenges with your car insurance or have been involved in an accident, our experienced team at Pierce & Shows is here to help. Whether you have concerns about your driving score, telematics data or need legal guidance after a car accident, our Baton Rouge-based attorneys are ready to support you every step of the way.
Contact us at 225-388-9574 for personalized, compassionate legal assistance. Let us help you handle your case with confidence.
