Connected cars: where you are and how you are driving

Your connected cars know where you are and how you are driving.  Your phone knows this too.  And so does Google.  Your insurance company would like to know so they can save you money on your premium – Would you let them?  Here are the benefits…

‘The two aims of the Party are to conquer the whole surface of the earth and to extinguish once and for all the possibility of independent thought’
George Orwell, 1984 (published 1949)

REDTAIL research into insurance telematics

REDTAIL conducts primary research into insurance telematics each year. One recurring theme is the feeling that consumers regard the gathering of driver data as intrusive. It is a fact of life that more and more technology is evolving to understand the needs, behaviours and aptitudes of the individual. The Market of one.

‘Permissions’ is now a word with which we are rather more familiar than just a couple of years ago. REDTAIL does not pretend to be expert on all things Apple or Google, but we do have experience and know a little about telematics data for insurers. Additionally, as stated in my last column on the Connected Vehicle subject, we are ingesting increasing amounts of that data and rendering it both actionable and valuable.

Why should you be prepared to allow data on your driving style and behaviours be shared with your insurance company? There are three reasons: premium, fuel and emissions [that eco thing].

Premium

The better you drive the smaller chance of an accident and claim, and the lower your premium.  Simple, right?  Well, despite the comment on ‘individual’ above, the insurer sets premiums based on the performance of his whole book, not just you!  However, the majority of telematics (mostly black box currently) policies offer direct incentives for better driving.  REDTAIL use our/your data and help that better driving with quite specific feedback on driving behaviours, suggesting perhaps (in a charming manner!) that you drive a little less quickly into corners, for example!

Connected Cars and Fuel Consumption

56 miles an hour was one of the key thresholds for fuel consumption.  Also, harsh acceleration and braking, speeding and harsh cornering all use more fuel than driving with more care and consideration.  Telematics data and advice on better driving behaviours can therefore save on fuel.

Emissions [that eco thing]

We are also monitoring the impact of the use of fuel on the environment.  Quite simply those behaviours listed above to generate more fuel usage are less environmentally friendly than they can be.  Every instance of easier acceleration or braking uses less fuel and is therefore more eco-friendly.

GPS tracking and telematics solutions are essential tools

I would suggest that there is an opportunity for independent thought in allowing use of your driving data for good reasons: lower premium costs, save money on fuel and be kinder to the environment.  Orwell and 1984 is sometimes described as a cautionary tale.  As our world does indeed become more intent on understanding the individual and everything about them, we as more informed individuals can make smart and considered choices on which data can be used and valued and to what extent.  Telematics data from connected vehicles can undoubtedly be used for positives on the economics and the environment – surely worth considering !