It’s been almost a decade since Progressive launched its usage-based insurance (UBI) program, Snapshot, aimed at more closely aligning driving behavior with auto insurance rates. And although other leading insurers have followed suit, the high costs associated with devices that consumers were required to place in their vehicles forced insurers to consider alternatives as their UBI programs grew.

The widespread adoption of mobile devices over the past 10 years opened new opportunities to offer UBI at a reduced cost, and in 2015 Progressive announced it was working with a partner to roll out a UBI app. Mobile apps held the promise of providing the same data as devices but at a much lower cost, driving other leading insurance providers to follow in Progressive’s footsteps. It seemed like a step in the right direction.