Family FAQ

Q. How do I enroll in the program?: A. To order online, CLICK HERE or call 507.345.0840 (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm CT) so we can answer any questions or get you enrolled over the phone.Customers of American Family can get the service for free at www.teensafedriver.com.
Q. How much does the program cost?: A. The startup package including camera kit, shipping, installation at Best Buy, and the first year of service costs $899 (plus sales tax where applicable). That's only $75 per month for peace of mind that your teen is safe. After the first year, continuation of service costs just $30/month. At a cost comparable to a cell phone or a club sports team fee, this program can potentially save you thousands of dollars and heartache by preventing an expensive crash. Without DriveCam, 20% of teens will crash in their first year. At-fault crashes or a poor driving record can raise insurance premiums by more than $1000 per year.
Q. What exactly do I get with my DriveCam for Families subscription?: A. Subscribers are shipped a Video Event Recorder Kit (Event Recorder, wiring assembly, installation instructions and a security wrench), a Voucher for installation at a Best Buy Mobile Installation center, access to a secure website that provides a Driving Report Card, coaching comments and a web application for reviewing video feedback.
Q: How do I move the event recorder if we get a new car?: A. You'll need a re-installation kit, which you can obtain by email request to: familysupport@drivecam.com or calling 866.614.3149 (24/7). Then you remove the event recorder from the old car, and take it and the re-installation kit in the new car to Best Buy for installation.
Q: Who do I contact for support once I'm enrolled?: A. For customer support issues regarding the Video Event Recorder, your online account or other questions related to the program, please e-mail or call us at: Email: familysupport@drivecam.com Phone: +1.866.614.3149
Q. How soon after enrolling can I access my online account?: A. It takes several days to set up your online account and to configure the Video Event Recorder issued to your account. Subscribers receive emails at each step in the enrollment and start-up process. You will be notified by email when your online account is activated. Be sure to contact DriveCam's technical support center if emails from DriveCam are not making it to your inbox (+1.866.614.3149).
Q. Have teens been receptive to video feedback programs?: A. Many teens have reservations about the program but concerns do not materialize as they would expect. Less than 1% of a teen's total time behind the wheel is captured and the improvements they make are so obvious they can't but help to see the benefits. Teens surveyed after completing the program unanimously recommend the program to other teens and nearly 100% said the program was NOT an invasion of their privacy despite what they feared at the beginning. The overwhelming outcome is that teens benefit from the program – often because parents reward good driving habits with increased responsibility and freedom.
Q. Is this a monitoring device that enables parents to track their teens' whereabouts?: A. No. The program provides a learning tool for improved driving behaviors and habits. Where and when teens are is not the focus of the program and the majority of teens go months without triggering the device once they slow down, avoid distractions and actively scan their environment for developing hazards. A key to DriveCam for Families' success is its efforts to understand and integrate with a teen's natural transition to greater independence.
Q. Can parents "tap into" the camera and view their teens in their vehicles at any time?: A. 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. After the first month in the program, teens average less than 1 trigger per week – that's 15 to 20 seconds out of hours and hours of driving time. Parents hoping to get frequent views into their teen's time behind the wheel will be greatly disappointed unless their teen is a very, very risky driver.
Q. Who owns the video and who has access to it?: A. Just like video captured by a personal video camera owned by a family, DriveCam videos are owned by the subscriber. DriveCam provides for convenient collection and web-based viewing of the subscriber's videos but makes those clips available for 90 days on the website and retains them for an additional 90 days on a secure server should the family request special access. Copies of videos can be converted from DriveCam's proprietary format and delivered to the subscriber in special cases but this is a rare occurrence. Videos are not protected from discovery during court proceedings. However, subscribers control access by weighing the risks and benefits of sharing videos and typically settle claims out of court if that is to their advantage. Having a video of a crash helps all parties understand the reality of what happened and issues between parties are resolved quickly with significant savings in legal fees.
Q. Will teens or parents participating in DriveCam for Families get a discount on insurance?: A. Check with your insurance agent to see if your insurance company provides the program for free and/or a premium discount or consider switching to a company that does. American Family Insurance was the first company to provide the program for free and discounts for participating may be available. For more information on the Teen Safe Driver Program, go to www.teensafedriver.com.
Q. Where is DriveCam for Families available?: A. It is only available in the United States and the vehicle must spend some time each week in an area of moderate or better cell data coverage or the program is of little value. DriveCam can help you assess the feasibility in your area if you have a question: email familysupport@drivecam.com for assistance.
Q. How can I learn more about DriveCam?: A. DriveCam is a privately owned company that provides families and companies with a video feedback system that enables them to train and motivate their drivers to have fewer crashes. Combining sight and sound, event analysis and driver coaching, DriveCam's approach has reduced vehicle damages, workers' compensation and personal injury costs by 50 percent in more than 120,000 personal, commercial and government vehicles around the world. For more information about DriveCam's Commercial Solution please visit www.drivecam.com.; Check with your insurer for availability.