One of the trademarks of car insurance in the twenty-first century is the fact that there truly isn't one -- that is, the landscape of auto insurance is constantly evolving with new technologies every day. Here, we explore how mobile telematics solutions are the key to helping not just your auto insurance business stay ahead of the curve, but to create safer roads for all.
"Don't text and drive."
"Phones just shouldn't be allowed in the car, ever."
"People who use phones in the car deserve what happens to them."
These are all common mantras one hears in most conversations surrounding mobile devices and car use. And with good reason; often, those who utilize their phones while driving are doing so at the expense of paying attention to the road, endangering their own lives and the lives of those around them.
But what if it were possible to use mobile devices safely in the car? Better yet. What if it were possible for mobile phones and tablets to actively make driving, well, safer?
Sound too good to be true? It isn't -- all thanks to the rising tide of mobile telematics solutions that allow auto insurance companies to engage with their customers like never before. Mobile telematics solutions harness the power of portable, everyday devices, such as smartphones, smartwatches, and tablets in order to meet customers on "their territory". These applications, according to Intellimec, offer "a unique opportunity to transform [... ] The market by leveraging technology the majority of consumers already have". After all, the vast majority of drivers already owns at least one of these devices and use them daily in order to maintain communication, consume news and entertainment, and even regulate multiple social media channels.
As a result, auto insurance carriers around the world and across the United States are steadily embracing usage-based insurance (UBI) methods. UBI allows these carriers to collect massive amounts of real-time data on their policyholders' driving patterns and behavior through telematics applications specially designed to track usage patterns, frequent destinations and routes, and even traffic or weather conditions during accident or crash scenarios. This insurance providers may tailor their plans and policies to each unique driver.
But what telematics features specifically create these safer roads for drivers? Let's explore a few of them.
Premium Tech for Both Insurers and Policyholders
You've probably heard the phrases "cloud-" and "SaaS-based analytics" systems thrown around the insurance and admin verticals in recent months. Cloud-/SaaS analytics are shaping up to be the backbone of auto insurance; such systems offer astoundingly configurable dashboards that allow you and your drivers to make sense of the live data stream from the mobile app and web portal. Consequently, businesses can now customize their policies and premiums to their clients' driving history. Simply put, drivers are rewarded for "good" behavior -- and this translates into safer roads for all!
Advanced Informative Tools and Data Collection Capabilities
But what actual tools within the system enables such fastidious information management? The best mobile telematics apps keep track of all your hard brakes, rapider-than-usual acceleration, time spent behind the wheel, and even your most highly frequented locations and routes. As aforementioned, these features work together to create reports of your driving patterns, as well as to suggest safer or faster routes to your usual destinations.
Telematics applications can even distinguish drivers from non-drivers in order to create accurately configured reports for both monthly updates and FNOL claims filing. Policyholders may even receive live updates on traffic and impending weather, Furthermore, the most advanced systems contain teen driving programs, offering parent/guardian-sanctioned location and speed parameters to help beginner drivers develop safe driving habits. Even with social media can play a role if the users so wish; drivers operating on telematics networks can interact with each other to exchange useful tips, creating safer, more well-protected driving conditions for all drivers.
Improved Customer Engagement On and Off the Road
All of the above tools formulate an environment in which clients and insurers interact with each other on more equal footing -- and within relationships build on deeper trust. Auto insurers are able to collect raw data from consumers, who no longer need worry about providing evidence of conditions after accidents. Mobile telematics transform the client-business relationship from one based on burden of proof and accusation, to one based simply on creating better driving conditions for every driver.
More affordable premiums, safer roads, and loyal, lasting customer relationships -- what could be better? Mobile telematics applications are the beginning of a revolutionary way of thinking about auto insurance, and that revolution could very well include your business.
Source by Sud Gover
