What is the Teen Safe Driver Program
The Teen Safe Driver Program SM provides American Family customers a proven approach to helping new teen drivers improve their on-road practices. American Family developed the program in association with DriveCam, Inc., a company that specializes in reducing risky driving behavior and saving lives. The program is offered at no cost for one year to American Family auto customers who have a teen driver.
How does the Teen Safe Driver Program work?
American Family customers who agree to participate in the Teen Safe Driver Program SM can register online. DriveCam ships participants a camera that records sights and sounds, inside and outside their vehicles. The unit can be installed free of charge at various locations, typically in about 30 minutes.
Once installed, the camera only captures risky driving behaviors such as swerving, hard braking, sudden acceleration and collisions. Clips of these events are sent wirelessly to DriveCam’s Analysis Center, which reviews the data and prepares a report for teens and their parents to examine online. In addition to video and audio, these reports include an objective, third-party assessment of the teen driver’s driving performance compared with the average performance of other teenage drivers.
Combined with parents’ ability to view actual teen driving events (including seat belt use), these reports provide parents the tools and tips they need to help coach and motivate their teens to drive more safely.
How much does the program cost?
Teen Safe Driver is offered at no cost for one year to American Family auto insurance customers who have a teen driver. Even the installation is free if you select and use an approved installation location (listed in the enrollment process).
Who do I contact regarding my eligibility?
If you have questions regarding your eligibility, please contact your local American Family agent.
Who do I contact for support once I'm enrolled?
For customer support issues regarding the DriveCam device, the website and your online account, or for help with other questions related to the program, please call (866) 614 -3149 or send an e-mail to support@teensafedriver.com.
Why did American Family Insurance develop the Teen Safe Driver Program?
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States. American Family actively supports efforts to improve auto safety, and the company views Teen Safe Driver as an opportunity to help make our roads safer for all drivers.
Are teens receptive to the Teen Safe Driver Program?
We consistently hear similar responses from the teen participants. At first, young drivers generally are somewhat uncertain about Teen Safe Driver, but by the end of the program they note the program made them aware of many risky driving behaviors that had gone unnoticed previously. Teens have commented that the program has actually made their parents feel more secure, and in turn the parents gave their teen drivers more freedom with their vehicles.
Who is eligible for the Teen Safe Driver Program?
All American Family auto insurance customers with new and existing teen drivers in their households are eligible to participate in the program.
Is the camera a monitoring device that enables parents to track their teens’ whereabouts?
Teen Safe Driver only captures sights and sounds of a risky driving behavior; it does not retain unrelated sights and sounds of the driver or vehicle occupants. The program does not provide the location of the vehicle, just a recording of risky events and decisions that led to them.
Can parents “tap into” the camera and view teens in their vehicles at any time?
No. Parents can only view sights and sounds of risky driving behavior after they have been downloaded to the analysis center and forwarded to the parents.
Will American Family use results captured by the camera to determine insurance rates?
No. Content and reports are only shared with parents of their teen driver. American Family provides this program as a tool for parents, not as part of the insurance rating process.
Will teens or parents participating in the Teen Safe Driver Program get a discount on insurance?
No. While there are many financial and non-financial benefits from participating in the Teen Safe Driver Program SM, American Family does not have enough information at this point to provide an insurance discount to participants.
If a participant is involved in an accident, will anyone besides parents and their teens have access to the audio and video?
It is possible American Family might request Teen Safe Driver output from customers in some situations involving the claims process – for instance, as part of an accident investigation. The information also is subject to being subpoenaed by other parties in a legal proceeding.
Where is the Teen Safe Driver Program Program?
We are currently offering the Teen Safe Driver Program SM in all states where American Family operates: Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.
How can I learn more about DriveCam?
DriveCam is a privately owned company that focuses on improving risky driving behavior by predicting and preventing crashes. Combining sight and sound, event analysis and driver coaching, DriveCam’s approach has reduced vehicle damages, workers’ compensation and personal injury costs by 30 to 90 percent in more than 60,000 personal, commercial and government vehicles around the world.
For more information about the DriveCam Solution, visit www.drivecam.com.
How can I learn more about American Family?
American Family offers auto, homeowners, life, health, commercial and farm/ranch insurance, plus financial services in 19 states. Based in Madison, Wis., American Family is the nation’s third largest mutual property/casualty insurance company. For more information on American Family Insurance, visit www.amfam.com.
