What’s the difference between black box insurance and telematics?

Short answer? Black boxes track your driving. Telematics understands it.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. If you’ve been shopping for car insurance and keep bumping into terms like “telematics” and “black box”, here’s what’s what—and why one might save you more money (and stress) than the other.

First things first: what is black box insurance?

Black box insurance is the OG version of behaviour-based car cover. It involves fitting a small device into your vehicle—usually behind the dashboard—that records how you drive. That means speed, braking, cornering, and all the other things your driving instructor used to raise an eyebrow at.

It’s mainly aimed at new drivers or those with limited experience. Insurers use the data to decide whether you’re safe enough to keep your premium low—or if it’s time to bump things up.

But here’s the rub: it’s fixed to the car, not to you. Which means if someone else borrows your car and drives like they’re in Mario Kart, your score takes the hit.

So, what’s different about telematics?

Telematics does the same job—but smarter. It tracks your driving through your phone, not a box bolted under the bonnet. It still looks at your speed, braking, and cornering, but it knows it’s you behind the wheel (or not).

Telematics insurance uses smartphone sensors and GPS to measure real driving behaviour.

With app-based telematics, there’s no need for garage visits, hardwiring or post-it notes saying “don’t speed”. It’s plug-and-play, with your driving score updating in real-time. And some apps go beyond just tracking—you get coaching, feedback, and in Zego’s case, actual perks for good driving.

Real talk: why does this matter?

Because it puts you in control. Traditional insurance pricing relies heavily on age, postcode and driving history—stuff you can’t change overnight.

With telematics, your price is based on how you actually drive—not just who you are or where you live.

For example, Zego’s Sense app tracks your driving and adjusts your renewal price accordingly. Drive safely and consistently? You could save at renewal. Drive like you’ve forgotten the brake exists? Well… maybe not.

And unlike black box systems, the Sense app can also tell when you’re not driving. So if someone else takes your car, you’re not penalised.

What about Zego’s car insurance prices?

Here’s the ballpark:

Zego’s sense telematics Car Insurance starts from £578.51 a year.
(That’s what 10% of customers paid or less in the six months before 21 October 2025).

But remember—your price depends on how you drive, what car you’ve got, and whether you’ve installed the Sense app (which is mandatory, by the way).

The bottom line

If you’re deciding between black box and telematics insurance, here’s the TL;DR:

Black box = rigid, car-based tracking, often with less feedback and more faff.
Telematics = app-based, driver-focused, smarter pricing and real-time coaching.
Zego’s Sense = a telematics app that doesn’t just watch how you drive, it helps you drive better—and rewards you for it.

So, if you’re into simple tech, fewer wires, and insurance that’s built around you, not your demographic telematics is the way forward. And if you fancy trying it without a full commitment? Zego’s app lets you “test drive” Sense before you even buy.

Not the insurance thing to do but it might just be the good thing.