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If you're driving your pre-computer 240 this may hold little interest for you, however if your daily driver can be monitored by satellite or computer scanning in the repair-shop or at an accident scene, or (maybe soon) during a routine traffic-stop, then this article from the HMN could be quite informational for you. This controversy is coming to your home state shortly, if it hasn't already.

Washington black box law draws insurer ire: We live in strange times, when traditional opponents increasingly find themselves on the same side of an issue. Bank bailout money is an obvious example, but there’s legislation in the Washington State Legislature sponsored by the ACLU that enjoys broad support across party lines.

Sen. Claudia Kauffman introduced SB 5574, “An Act Relating to protecting consumer data in motor vehicles,” on January 27. In brief, it gives the owner of a vehicle unconditional ownership of any data generated by an event data recorder (EDR), or “black box” installed in that vehicle, with certain exceptions (On-Star-type calls in a medical emergency, anonymous data to improve vehicle safety, and by signed release).

But Progressive Insurance has raised an objection, claiming the legislation would hinder their introduction of EDR-based MyRate insurance into Washington State. MyRate uses a proprietary in-vehicle data collection system, which generates information on individual driving habits that Progressive then uses to set premiums. Washington lawmakers and the ACLU contend the law would still permit the program, while requiring full disclosure to the consumer and adding consumer protections.

In rebuttal to those objections, a new section was added to SB 5574 earlier this month: “An insurer shall not refuse to renew a motor vehicle insurance policy solely because a motor vehicle owner, as defined in section 1 of this act, refuses to provide access to recorded data from a recording device, as defined in section 1 of this act.” “(2) An insurer or agent shall not: Reduce coverage; increase the insured’s premium; apply a surcharge; refuse to apply a discount other than a discount that is based on data recorded by a recording device as defined in section 1 of this act; or when there are multiple insurers available, fail to place the motor vehicle owner with the most favorably priced insurer, solely because a motor vehicle owner refuses to allow an insurer access to data from a recording device.” Message: We’re on the consumer’s side on this one, and the Senate Bill Reports make outstanding reading. Several public hearings have been held since the bill’s introduction, and it’s currently in the House Committee on Transportation.

North Dakota (§ 51-07-28 (2006)) and Arkansas (§ 27-37-103 (2006)) currently have laws on the books that prohibit insurance contracts from requiring policyholders to consent to access EDR data.
- By David Traver Adolphus Copyright © 1996-2008 Hemmings Motor News

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Mike Noonan
VP ZCCR
gotmoxz@frontiernet.net
'72 240Z for GO
'80 280ZX 10thAE for SHOW