Sophomore Emily Schwandner received her permit in June and frequently practices driving in her father’s car. Tucked beneath the wheel of his gold Acura MDX is a blue plastic plug-in. Emily’s father, Cliff Schwandner, uses this device as part of a data-collecting test for Allstate Insurance.

Cliff is currently part of a test run for the device because he works for a company that works with Allstate Insurance. The device, part of Allstate Insurance’s Drive Wise program, is responsible for collecting data about the driver. This data can be used by insurance companies to rate the driver on how risky or safe his or her habits are.

Drivers with the device, according to Nate Bryer, program general manager for Drive Wise, can save up to 30 percent on their premiums just by proving they are safe drivers according to data collected by the device.

“Now I know I have it in the car, I’ll probably be more careful when I’m driving,” Emily said. Drive Wise is provided to the customer by Allstate Insurance and is part of an insurance program for Allstate drivers that bases rates off of data collected about the driver through the device. Other insurance companies have similar devices that also collect information about drivers. Progressive’s Snapshot device tracks similar information as the Drive Wise device and is also used to judge how safe a driver is and how to best help them save money, according to Progressive’s website.

Available in ten states, including Illinois, the Drive Wise device can be obtained through an Allstate insurance carrier. Progressive’s Snapshot is also available for a 30-day test drive for non-customers.

“Because there’s such a strong correlation to mileage, [and] I know some students don’t drive that far,” said Bryer. “There’s actually a fairly high potential for students to save.”

Cliff believes this device is especially helpful for student drivers.

“I think any data that can be collected that provides more insight into the way people drive, the way–especially inexperienced and learning–drivers drive is a good thing,” Cliff said.