Carrot Insurance

Carrot Insurance: black box insurance for young drivers in the UK

Carrot Insurance Services is a trading name of Acorn Insurance & Financial Services Ltd, an entity authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) with firm reference number 311873. Its main product is black box (or telematics) car insurance aimed at drivers with a driving licence aged between 17 and 24. The company states it was founded in 2012 with the aim of encouraging safer driving among young people, and claims to have more than 500,000 policyholders in the UK as part of the Acorn Group.

How the Theo device and the Better Driver app work

The insurance is based on a telematics device called Theo, which the customer installs in the vehicle themselves. This device records data from each journey using motion sensors and sends it to the company. The parameters it measures include acceleration, braking, sharp turns, time of day and journey duration. With this information, Carrot calculates a Driving Score that the policyholder can check through the Better Driver by Carrot mobile app. The app sends notifications when it detects risky behaviours, such as speeding or harsh braking, and allows the driver to track their progress.

Rewards and discounts for safe driving

Carrot's commercial proposition links policy renewal to driving behaviour. Customers who maintain a favourable driving score can get a percentage discount on their premium at renewal. In addition, each claim-free year helps build the No Claims Discount, which the company applies when calculating the renewal premium and which can later be used with Carrot or with another insurer. The company also offers comprehensive coverage, so the vehicle can be insured up to the maximum level of coverage.

Conditions of use and policyholder responsibility

Carrot warns that anyone who drives the vehicle must be listed as a named driver on the policy, as the device records all journeys without being able to distinguish who is at the wheel. Consequently, journeys made by other drivers can affect the driving score, the renewal price and coverage. The policyholder is responsible for all journeys made with the vehicle. Regarding speeding, the company states that its aim is to reward safe driving and that it may stop providing coverage when dangerous or repeated speeding puts other people at risk.

Support services and policy management

The company provides policyholders with a customer portal to manage their policy and payments online, upload and download documents, make changes, process cancellations and submit claims. It also offers an accident reporting line available 24 hours a day, every day, and a help centre with more than 50 short articles, as well as a virtual assistant. Customer service is provided from the UK, according to the company itself.

Road safety and commitment to responsible driving

Carrot presents itself as a company focused on road safety and states that it works with the Bobby Colleran Trust and Project EDWARD, two initiatives linked to responsible driving and reducing accidents. The company also maintains a content hub (Learn Hub) with guides on insurance, driving tips and practical articles, such as how to charge the Theo device, what to do if the black box isn't working or how to reinstall it on the windscreen.

Company details and registration

Carrot Insurance Services operates as a trading name of Acorn Insurance & Financial Services Ltd, with registration number 01636368 and registered office at 98 Liverpool Road, Formby, Liverpool, Merseyside, L37 6BS. The entity is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) with firm reference number 311873.

Location and contact

98 Liverpool Road, Formby, Liverpool, Merseyside, L37 6BS