Safer driving to be rewarded with lower premiums
First 5000 | December 12, 2018
In an Australian first, drivers will be able to access car insurance which is priced according to their driving behaviour, through the UbiCar app.
Drivers will have the opportunity to reduce the cost of their car insurance through UbiCar’s Usage Based Insurance, which allows drivers to be in control of how much they pay by the way they drive.
“It’s a win-win for motorists – they pay less on car insurance and our roads will be safer,” said UbiCar Co-Founder Carolyn Batterton.
Emerging overseas evidence suggests usage based insurance can reduce the risk of a car crash by 20-40 percent among high risk drivers.
“Motorists simply download the free UbiCar app onto their smart phone which uses telematics technology to measure their phone distraction, speeding, cornering, acceleration and braking every time they drive. Driving performance is rated as the app runs silently in the background so there’s no interaction with the phone whilst driving,” Ms Batterton said.
“Currently drivers are given a maximum fixed quote that will reduce in cost as their driving improves, saving them money.
“This is a new approach for the insurer to be actively engaged with drivers and encourage them to drive safer.
“Drivers are quoted on insurance within the app in minutes so there is no need to make a traditional call and spend time on hold, you can do it all within the UbiCar app.
“Many Australian drivers are not aware that they can cancel their existing insurance at any time and get a refund – changing insurance to UbiCar puts the driver in control of their monthly premiums.
“Telematics technology is being used in over 20 countries and US data shows this technology leads to improved driver behaviour with an average reduction of 35 percent in phone distraction, 20 percent in hard braking, and 20 percent in at-risk speeding all within 30 days of using the program.”
UbiCar is underwritten by RAC Insurance, which is part of RAC— a Western Australian membership organisation with a history exceeding 113 years.
