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Article Number 6
GetCoveredUSA.com
June 7, 2007

Safeco's New Program for Teen Drivers: Teensurance™

For $14.99/month you can buy into a program that includes a GPS tracking device called the Safety Beacon™ that is installed (free installation) into your young drivers' car. This device is intended to help reinforce good driving habits. The driving habits are delivered real-time using your e-mail, internet or phone. Data updates include speed and location of the vehicle and will notify you when a pre-set speed limit has been breached. Parents can now feel some degree of comfort in how their young driver is handling their driving privilege.

What does the program offer?

• Track a car's location online, in real time
  
• Have a car door remotely unlocked, in seconds, by making a phone call and entering your primary phone number and PIN (power door locks required)
  
• Set speed alerts
  
• Set a driving curfew
  
• Set "safe driving zones" to create geographic boundaries for new drivers
  
• Access roadside assistance, 24/7, in case of car trouble
  
• Track the vehicle (and allow police to track and retrieve the vehicle) if it is stolen
  
• Take a survey and download a Safe Driving Contract to help identify areas where your teen might need some driving instruction and give advice on how to address these potential problems
  
• Use other resources on the Teensurance Web site to improve driver safety

Insurance for young drivers is the highest among any demographic group on the road. Current statistics estimate that 19 teen drivers are killed per day in an automobile. 16 year old drivers have the highest accident rate of drivers of any other age.

HOW ARE TEENS REACTING TO THE PROGRAM?

Initially during pilot tests, young drivers enjoyed the assurance of roadside assistance and remote door unlocking features (in case keys are locked in the car), but were a little concerned about having their every move monitored. However, after a few short weeks, many using the program received new freedoms by proving to their parents they were driving responsibly. The program promotes the most important parenting tool related to teen driving: communication. By using this safety program, parents and their teens are encouraged to enter into an ongoing dialogue about good driving habits. Parents and teens can agree on speed limits, distance, location and curfew limits.

"Teensurance offers parents peace of mind and lets them know they are doing all they can to keep their teen drivers safe," said Jim Havens, vice president of customer solutions at Safeco. "Because teen drivers and their parents jointly set limits for driving times, speeds and locations, Teensurance helps young drivers demonstrate responsibility, improve their driving skills and earn their parents' trust."

Official Launch of Teensurance™

Safeco will roll the new program out June 27, 2007 for customers with auto insurance policies with the carrier.

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