An apparatus, program product and method track the location of a vehicle
during at least a portion of a period of the time associated with an
economic transaction so that risks associated with the actual usage of
the vehicle can be accommodated in the costs for the transaction. In
particular, a determination is made during a time period associated with
an economic transaction as to whether the vehicle is located at a
location having an increased level of risk. Costs for the economic
transaction are then adjusted based at least in part on the presence of
the vehicle in a location with an increased level of risk. In one
exemplary environment, car rental rates are adjusted based upon the
actual usage of a rented vehicle. In another exemplary environment,
insurance premiums are adjusted based upon the actual usage of an insured
vehicle. In either event, usage that results in a vehicle being located
in areas of comparatively higher risk can be accounted for in additional
transactional costs, resulting in improved allocation of risk and
minimization of economic inefficiencies.