[MarcoZandrini]

.....reporting your driving data to BMW NA.

My insurance Progressive) has gone up more than 75% over the last three years. Yes, I drive my car at highway+ speeds. I have email BMW NA Privacy (bmwprivacy@bmwusa.com), requesting that it informs me of what data it collects, and with which companies it shares my data.

I live in Virginia so I am researching the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act to see what actions I can take to prevent BMW NA from collecting and/or sharing my data. BTW, BMW NA's data collection screed is full of loopholes.

Here's the text of the email I sent to BMW NA:
I am a citizen of the Commonwealth of Virginia. In accordance with the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (https://www.oag.state.va.us/consumer...ary-2-2-23.pdf), I am hereby requesting that:
1. BMW NA, BMW AG and all subsidiaries thereof delete all personal data related to in any way how, when and where the car noted above is driven.
2. BMW NA, BMW AG and all subsidiaries thereof provide me with copies of all personal data related to in any way how, when and where the car noted above.
3. BMW NA, BMW AG and all subsidiaries thereof permanently cease and desist the further collection of all personal data related to in any way how, when and where the car noted above is driven.
4. BMW NA, BMW AG and all subsidiaries thereof cease and desist the sharing of all personal data related to in any way how, when and where the car noted above is driven with any entity including but not limited to insurance companies.

[albertw]

When I purchased my 240, I refused to sign the Connected Services agreement. Then I was given a form to sign that stated I knew I was opting out of Connected Services and losing all the (negative to me) benefits of that program. So it is possible to avoid having Connected Services activated, and it should be possible to have it cancelled.

That said, it doesn't guarantee that BMW is not collecting the same data and just not providing you with the service. For example, the dealer knows what maintenance is due before I give them my key fob to sign in, and one letter I received said "your car told us ... is due".

I've been following the OnStar blowup because I ordered a Blackwing last year and it was built this week. Apparently in the US the main aggregator of data that is sold to insurance companies is something called LexisNexis. They will provide their records of all the incidents of excessive speed, hard braking and acceleration (but apparently not high g turns) when requested by the car owner.

My plan is to physically remove the OnStar module from the car when I receive it. That won't guarantee that the dealer won't download all the data when I bring the car in for service, but I hope that the driving data is stored on that module rather than elsewhere in the car. (I've seen several reports of people doing this with no drivability issues.) I have no idea whether this is possible in our BMWs, but I no longer care since I should have a new car with real steering feedback in a month or two.

[Nickies]

Originally Posted by MarcoZandrini

.....reporting your driving data to BMW NA.

My insurance Progressive) has gone up more than 75% over the last three years. Yes, I drive my car at highway+ speeds. I have email BMW NA Privacy (bmwprivacy@bmwusa.com), requesting that it informs me of what data it collects, and with which companies it shares my data.

I live in Virginia so I am researching the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act to see what actions I can take to prevent BMW NA from collecting and/or sharing my data. BTW, BMW NA's data collection screed is full of loopholes.

Here's the text of the email I sent to BMW NA:
I am a citizen of the Commonwealth of Virginia. In accordance with the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (https://www.oag.state.va.us/consumer...ary-2-2-23.pdf), I am hereby requesting that:
1. BMW NA, BMW AG and all subsidiaries thereof delete all personal data related to in any way how, when and where the car noted above is driven.
2. BMW NA, BMW AG and all subsidiaries thereof provide me with copies of all personal data related to in any way how, when and where the car noted above.
3. BMW NA, BMW AG and all subsidiaries thereof permanently cease and desist the further collection of all personal data related to in any way how, when and where the car noted above is driven.
4. BMW NA, BMW AG and all subsidiaries thereof cease and desist the sharing of all personal data related to in any way how, when and where the car noted above is driven with any entity including but not limited to insurance companies.

If your insurance company increased your premium by 75% in 3 years, there is a problem. Did you ask why and what are the parameters to assume the risk in your area that justify a so substantial increase according to your driving records?

I have full coverage with no deductible from State Farm since the last 5 years and my increase has been no more than 20% which I consider reasonable for the protection standard I have.

[leftoverture]

Everybody's insurance rates have gone up in the last 3 years. During the pandemic, rates dropped significantly. Post-covid rates have been going up for everyone. It probably doesn't have anything to do with your private data unless a person is dumb enough to have one of those modules installed that insurance companies give in exchange for reduced rates.

[marksandygill]

I mean, if your car is telling your insurance company how you drive and your insurance has gone up by that much then there's only one person to blame...

[John in VA]

I know this started about data collection, but there are many options for insurance other than Progressive. They have many policyholders that are "marginal" with poor driving histories - not specifically commenting about you! It's time to do some shopping. Amica & USAA (requires a military connection) are two of the best.

https://www.consumerreports.org/mone...r-a3735742407/

[leftoverture]

Originally Posted by John in VA

I know this started about data collection, but there are many options for insurance other than Progressive. They have many policyholders that are "marginal" with poor driving histories - not specifically commenting about you! It's time to do some shopping. Amica & USAA (requires a military connection) are two of the best.

https://www.consumerreports.org/mone...r-a3735742407/

Good point. I have an independent agent and he's consistently found me the best rates. It never hurts to shop around.

[zoro2001]

Originally Posted by leftoverture

Good point. I have an independent agent and he's consistently found me the best rates. It never hurts to shop around.

+1 on shopping around. Called an independent agent last month. We now pay $1000 less for the same coverage on our cars!! Also lowered on home ins by 40%.

[cooolone2]

Disconnect the OTA antenna... Done!

[Kernel Kurtz]

Maybe you can get in on this class action;

https://yro.slashdot.org/story/24/03...-cadillac-data

[dradernh]

Just saw this the other day:

Florida Man Sues G.M. and LexisNexis Over Sale of His Cadillac Data

"Romeo Chicco’s auto insurance rate doubled because of information about his speeding, braking and acceleration"

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/14/t...ving-data.html

I've sent LexisNexis a request for it to report to me any data it has on my driving...especially my track driving!

[MarcoZandrini]

Originally Posted by dradernh

Just saw this the other day:

Florida Man Sues G.M. and LexisNexis Over Sale of His Cadillac Data

"Romeo Chicco’s auto insurance rate doubled because of information about his speeding, braking and acceleration"

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/14/t...ving-data.html

I've sent LexisNexis a request for it to report to me any data it has on my driving...especially my track driving!

I too have sent LN a request for a report on what data are being collected. I'll check around for independent insurance agents in my area.

[morphomeman]

A rule of thumb for all insurance (home, auto, liability) is to shop around every three years. That said, the cost of insurance overall has gone through the roof in the last couple of years, for a variety of reasons. Which makes shopping around even more important.

[kz1000]

I've had USAA for almost 30 years. My rates have gone up 25%. If they actually had driving info, I'd be uninsurable . It's parts prices [especially rolling lithium ion battery fire shitboxes]. My 2's damage due to an octogenarian tapping me at 5mph, is costing her insurance $6K plus.

[leftoverture]

Originally Posted by kz1000

I've had USAA for almost 30 years. My rates have gone up 25%. If they actually had driving info, I'd be uninsurable . It's parts prices [especially rolling lithium ion battery fire shitboxes]. My 2's damage due to an octogenarian tapping me at 5mph, is costing her insurance $6K plus.

Holy smokes! I got hit in the back on the freeway and it was only $5500.

[kz1000]

"Holy smokes! I got hit in the back on the freeway and it was only $5500."

Needed an entire RR quarter panel. That's $1k just for the part.

[WolfGTI]

Parts prices plus unfit 80 year olds driving. I have nothing against hem driving but they should have to take a test of their mental fitness and reflexes yearly past 80.

Originally Posted by kz1000

I've had USAA for almost 30 years. My rates have gone up 25%. If they actually had driving info, I'd be uninsurable . It's parts prices [especially rolling lithium ion battery fire shitboxes]. My 2's damage due to an octogenarian tapping me at 5mph, is costing her insurance $6K plus.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by kz1000

I've had USAA for almost 30 years. My rates have gone up 25%. If they actually had driving info, I'd be uninsurable . It's parts prices [especially rolling lithium ion battery fire shitboxes]. My 2's damage due to an octogenarian tapping me at 5mph, is costing her insurance $6K plus.

On my own, I created a silver dollar-sized scratch-and-dimple at the intersection between my right rear bumper cover and its nearby quarter panel. Wishing the finished repair to be as perfect as possible, I took it to EAG's body shop...and paid accordingly.

What I more frequently think back to are the days when there were untold numbers of cars on our roads that were both dinged-up and/or rusting obviously and badly. We don't see that today.

The rust issue has gone away due to improved materials science and advanced production practices on the part of the manufacturers and, I fervently hope, better driving on the part of the drivers who understand what it's going to cost them if they go around banging into other vehicles.

In the parking lot of a supermarket or big-box type store, I still park as far away from other cars as possible. This despite the fact that I may soon need one of those carts that oldsters use to get around in those environments.

Originally Posted by WolfGTI

Parts prices plus unfit 80 year olds driving. I have nothing against hem driving but they should have to take a test of their mental fitness and reflexes yearly past 80.

I resent that (not about the parts prices, mind you), and that's all I want to say about the subject.

[leftoverture]

Originally Posted by WolfGTI

Parts prices plus unfit 80 year olds driving. I have nothing against hem driving but they should have to take a test of their mental fitness and reflexes yearly past 80.

Perhaps all drivers should be tested regularly. Though I'm now a senior citizen myself, I do believe elderly drivers can be a hazard. But no more so than distracted drivers and drunk drivers. We really need to do something about them all.

[Mike F.]

Originally Posted by WolfGTI

Parts prices plus unfit 80 year olds driving. I have nothing against hem driving but they should have to take a test of their mental fitness and reflexes yearly past 80.

I'm even more of a believer in this since a 95 year old guy turned in front of my son-in-law while he was doing around 45 mph on his bike. He will never regain complete use of his right arm, which pretty much means his career driving trucks is no longer an option (as well as a number of his previous hobbies). He's, of course, fortunate that his arm is the only thing permanently damaged from that accident.

[SoftShoe]

Someone mentioned Amica - which just raised my rate by 51% (no accidents, no tickets, decade of history with them). I’m moving on.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by SoftShoe

Someone mentioned Amica - which just raised my rate by 51% (no accidents, no tickets, decade of history with them). I’m moving on.

I don't recall exactly how much my last increase was in 9-2023 from California State Automobile Association (aka CSAA, a former employer of mine at 150 Van Ness Ave. in the City, and now hq'd in Oakland while offering coverage in SW Ohio), but it was certainly noticeable without being anywhere near 51%. I too have no accidents, claims, et al. and have generally just been a happy camper paying annually for auto, home, and umbrella.

It's worth noting that rates in this region are much less than what I paid in San Francisco and Northern New England. Non-healthcare insurance is remarkably less expensive in this region compared to the other two.

Your comment gives me pause and reminds me that engaging a local agent will cost me nothing, inform me as to what is presently going on with rates among the various insurers, what is likely coming down the pike and why, and broaden my perspective regarding insurers that may be more suitable to meeting my actual needs.