Pay for use Insurance - what it means and why SGI is thinking of using it

I read with some concern about SGI pairing up with Baseline Telematics.

Here is the link to the article

There are claims that this system makes for better drivers and they hope it will be the same for riders.

The paying of people to take these units for a test drive concerns me.  I think that if they are going to monitor when and where you ride, and how you you ride - brake, speed etc., then they should also mount video cameras to record WHY those situations may be occurring.

According to the article: "Baseline Telematics is creating the first pilot program in the world to offer a Pay-As-You-Drive and Pay-How-You-Drive insurance coverage to motorcyclists in Western Canada. SGI would be the first in the world to use telematics for motorcycles.

Often called Usage-Based Insurance or UBI, Baseline Telematics has already a unique solution it offers Canadian insurers so they can use telematics devices in vehicles to record driving information, such as speed, braking, mileage and driving location in order to determine the risk of a claim associated with a vehicle. Baseline Telematics has already assisted several "early adopter" insurers take advantage of the benefits of the quickly evolving telematics based insurance trend.  The Baseline Telematics' technology provides a turn-key insurance telematics solution and the fastest implementation available in the market."

Please read the WHOLE article - do not take my word/interpretation of what I read as any kind of gospel.  Visit the web site refrenced in the article and read the section called THE FINE PRINT.

I am concerned when I see the word mandatory mentioned in any way - making this system manditory for any rider concerns me.

What I want to know is what is your take on this topic?

PLEASE - PLEASE - PLEASE read and share this information with everyone who rides as this has the potential to be the next war for equality that we need to address as a community!

In other news, Ray Sasseveille of Sturgis North fame has a concern on his hands.

Daniel Raymond Sasseville was given seven months in jail for sexual assault. He was ordered to provide a DNA sample and was placed on probation for three years.  Here is the link to the news article - his is the last one one the page: http://www.canada.com/Court+News/8630663/story.html

Here is an Update on the Daniel Raymond Sasseville information: http://www.yourlibrary.ca/community/richmondreview/archive/RR20010426/morenews.html

I am in Yellowknife NT today - tonight I will be riding with members of our military both serving and veteran - and with members of the general riding public - we civilians - I hear we are going for pie and coffee in a unique place!

I leave you with a few photos from last night's ride night in Yellowknife...

If you can join us tonight - registration begins at 5:30pm - kickstands up at 7PM - meet at the Co-op parking lot....

Bob Irwin

Robin Weber 

Swerve

George

Buddy AKA Graham

If you are lucky enough to be riding, please ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider

Bizarre weather all across Canada and Tragedy in QC.

Today is Day 22 of my Bikers United Conga and so far it's went very well.  Sure there's been a few challenges along the way but I'm having a wonderful time meeting up with old friends and making new, taking in breath-taking scenery, each day a new adventure.  

That said, I'm troubled by the news coverage I watch at night before I hit the hay.  My heart goes out to all those who are suffering this summer from the bizarre weather, those folks in Calgary, High River and other flood ravaged areas, now including Toronto!  The sudden hail-storms in Airdrie and Cochrane.  The 19 brave firefighters that lost their lives in Arizona.  My thoughts and prayers go out to to the victims and their families of the town of Lac-Megantic.  Their recent train disaster, such a terrible tragedy, the scope of which is still unfolding. 

Thoughts from the Road - 

Belt Drive Betty