Telepass and UnipolMove: how to pay quickly at the toll booth without queues

Telepass and UnipolMove

With the arrival of the summer months, the possibility of taking trips outside the city and crossing the motorway gates, often congested by endless queues of truckers and motorists waiting to pay the toll, becomes more and more concrete. To pay the amount at the toll booth, you can choose different methods ranging from the classic cash payment to the electronic one (or via card), up to the much more practical Telepass (and now also UnipolMove). But what is it and how does it work specifically?

Telepass

If we all had one surely there would be no more queues at the toll booth: for those who travel a lot, for work or pleasure, this is a real definitive solution. The Telepass is an essential convenience for all those who do not like to wait precious minutes in line at the toll booth, perhaps under the sun or why not, under the classic summer deluge. If on the one hand it is a pleasure like few others, on the other hand the contract to be stipulated could hold back the less informed people. In this guide we will explain in more detail the services offered, how to get it, how much and above all how it works.

Telepass: what is it

Telepass: how to get it

To get the Telepass is simple and there are several ways:

online: by visiting the official Telepass website and following the instructions, in a few steps you can subscribe to the service and comfortably wait for the device at home. Waiting times are variable, but it will not take more than a few days; Punto Blu: always identified as a point of reference for those seeking support relating to motorway services, at the Punto Blu it is possible to request a Telepass and carry out the procedures directly in the offices; bank or post offices: here too, similarly to the Punto Blu, it is possible to request a Telepass. In this regard, however, we always recommend checking availability at the branch, perhaps by checking the official Telepass website; eni Live Station: starting from 2021, it is possible to request the subscription service also at affiliated Eni centers; Dekra centers: among the many possibilities, it is impossible not to mention the Dekra centers which boast over 200 locations available throughout Italy.

Telepass: how much does it cost

The fixed costs of Telepass depend on the type of contract optioned; the following activation plans are currently available:

Telepass: € 1.26 per month + € 0.74 for Telepass Pay services. The service also provides for the payment of various types of tolls, up to the washing of the car or the recharging of electric cars; Telepass Plus: € 2.50 per month (€ 1.26 per month for Telepass Family + € 1.24 for Telepass Pay services); Telepass Family: the monthly fee is 1.26 euros per month and allows access to some services (Area C, affiliated car parks and Pedemontana); Telepass Pay per Use: no fee. 10 euros for activation and 2.5 per month if the device is used during the calendar month. At a cost of 2 euros more per month, it is possible to include, in all profiles, the Roadside Assistance service (assistance 24 hours a day), transport to the nearest garage and driver to return home (throughout Italy). In case of prolonged repair times it is possible, eventually, you will also receive an overnight stay in the hotel of 2 nights. | ); } We remind you, that starting from July 2022, the basic fee of 1.26 euros per month will increase to 1.83 euros per month but in some routes (it is not yet specified which ones) there will be discounts of up to 50%.

Telepass: where it works

As mentioned above, the Telepass service works in all motorway toll booths in Italy and beyond. In fact, the European Telepass service has been active for a few months, making it possible to cross the gates even in half of Europe, such as Spain and France. Unfortunately, the agreement does not represent an official integration but is the result of an operation between private individuals, more precisely between Atlantia, APRR / AREA (France) and Pagatelia (Portugal).

Telepass: accessory services available

Telepass: associable plates

A maximum of two plates can be associated to the Telepass (motorcycle + car, car + car, etc) and to do so it is necessary to connect to your private area or log in to the application. The procedure is immediate and does not require any waiting time. Alternatively, for the less technological, it is possible to go directly to a Punto Blu.

Telepass: common problems

Does Telepass need maintenance? What if it doesn't work? The Telepass transponder does not need routine maintenance. To make it work it is advisable to place it in the upper area of ​​the front glass. The battery has an “infinite” life and in the event of a low level, the device itself will signal the problem with an acoustic melody. How fast is it possible to cross the gate? The limit is 30 km / h, but we do not exclude that it can also work at higher speeds; for these of safety and of the Highway Code, however, we recommend not to exceed the suggested limits.

Telepass and Cashback

Cashback is a form of immediate reimbursement of a percentage of the expense that is re-credited in the App once the payment of the Telepass services has been completed. The procedure is simple and fast, applicable to a series of 360-degree services:

fuel: up to June 30, with the Plus or Pay X plan, you can get up to 10% cashback on the third refueling ; electric recharge: with the Plus plan, on a transaction of at least 4 euros (and until June 30) it is possible to obtain a free recharge on 3. public transport: in Milan or Rome, only with Plus and until August 31, it is possible get a free ticket per day; micro-mobility: only with Plus, by renting a scooter (or similar) you can receive up to 60 minutes for free per month; road tax: valid until 3 June, using the Telepass service you can get a 20 euro discount on fuel; MOT: valid until June 3, by paying for the overhaul with the application you can receive a refund of 20 euros on fuel. For more information, we suggest you visit the dedicated page.

UnipolMove

Starting a few months ago, the Telepass service is not the only one available to motorists; the toll system of the Italian motorways can now be paid for, with transponders, also with UnipolMove. This is the first direct competitor of Telepass, developed by UniPolTech that is the technology division of the insurance company.

UnipolMove: what it is

Similarly to Telepass, it is a transponder that communicates with the motorway toll booths allowing you to pay the toll without stopping.

UnipolMove: how to get it

Receiving it is easy and there are three ways:

online: by visiting the official UnipolMove website; via App: using the UnipolSai mobile device application; agency: by going to one of the local agencies.

UnipolMove: how much does it cost

The price of UnipolMove is currently 1 euro a month, with the first 6 months free; by adding 50 cents a month you can get a second device to be combined with another car or motorcycle. Unlike Telepass, the device can be associated with a single plate; by subscribing to the basic contract it is possible to receive up to two devices, while with the business one a maximum of five. The contract can be terminated at any time, via the app or agency.

UnipolMove: where it is compatible

As mentioned, UnipolMove is compatible with numerous Italian gates but more precisely only in those bearing the European Telepass symbol. In this regard, Unipol is working to sign important agreements, both in Italy and abroad, such as in Spain, France and Portugal.

UnipolMove: accessory services available

Almost like Telepass, UnipolMove includes a series of accessory services; at the moment this function is still being defined but it is still possible to pay, for example, the Milan Area C, the blue stripes, supplies and car tax.

Telepass vs UnipolMove: which is convenient?

It is difficult to give a precise answer in this regard, the savings can be mainly linked to the methods of use of the service itself. Analyzing purely the monthly fee, UnipolMove offers 6 months free and starting from 1 euro per month from the seventh month of use. Telepass, on the other hand, even with the basic plan, requires an outlay of 1.26 euros per month + 0.74 euros per month for ancillary services (until July 2022). In other words, UnipolMove is cheaper.

With one year of use, the bill to pay with UnipolMove is 6 euros, while with Telepass you can get to just under 25 euros. It remains to be considered, as mentioned, the quantity of services available in favor of Telepass and, above all, the possibility of combining two plates (without extra costs) to a single device. In any case, we remind you that Telepass provides "for all motorcyclists who have activated the Motorcycle Discount and who are already holders of the Telepass Pay or Telepass Pay" X "offers or who will join it by the end of August 2022". Basically, all motorcyclists who already use Telepass with the Motorcycle Discount, if they join or join Telepass Pay or Telepass Pay X by August, will have their monthly fee reset.