Telematics
Telematics and mobile devices innovation trends to watch
More than 400 insurance-related patents were filed last year, with telematics products and use of mobile devices among the top trends, research from a London law firm has found.
Drivestyle Insurance Holdings hires CEO from Allianz
Telematics insurer Drivestyle Insurance Holdings has hired Andrew Bennett, former broker sales manager at Allianz, as chief executive officer.
General Legal Protection MD speaks out on claims culture
The ease with which the current insurance claims system can be abused contributes to the compensation culture in the UK, General Legal Protection managing director André Scruton says.
Gender Directive: New Tricks
The EU Gender Directive has given rise to a new generation of ‘girly’ motor insurers – but are the practices sustainable in the long term?
Insure The Box teams up with brokers for policy partnership
Telematics provider Insure The Box and its sister brand Drive Like a Girl have partnered with five brokers to sell their policies.
Sabre launches into telematics supported by Wunelli and Open GI
Motor insurer Sabre has partnered with telematics solution provider Wunelli to launch its first telematics product – Drive Smart.
Coverbox claims pay-as-you-drive user first
Coverbox Drive Style customers are the first drivers in the UK to able to find out the cost of their car insurance as it happens, the company claimed today.
RAC launches telematics product with Risk Technology
Telematics provider Risk Technology and motoring organisation RAC are teaming up to launch a product to help drivers in the event of a breakdown.
National speed limit database still some way off, claims OS
Ordnance Survey has distanced itself from suggestions the launch of a national speed limit database is imminent, but has vowed to work to “better understand” complex information held on speed limits.
Quindell takes 19% stake in US telematics provider
Outsourcer Quindell has completed a deal for a 19% stake in Himex, as US provider of usage-based insurance products.
Fatal crash prompts calls for insurers to scrap nighttime driving curfews
Telematics providers are urging insurers to remove nighttime driving restrictions from their products, after a coroner cited a curfew as a factor in a fatal crash involving two teenagers.
Editor's comment: A fork in the road
In 2008 when Aviva (then Norwich Union) shelved its pay‑as‑you‑drive model due to “poor take-up” after only two years in the open market, it appeared that the product had fallen at the first hurdle.
Telematics: Ask the experts
Insurers should be wary of rushing into the telematics market alone – pricing, legacy technology and cost mean collaborating may be a wiser strategy.
View from the Top: Crazier than spaghetti junction
After all the protracted pandemonium for motor insurers, discipline is now needed, says Colin Batabyal, personal lines director, Covéa Insurance
Insurers called to step up lobbying efforts on young drivers’ safety
Insurers should put pressure on the government to change track on its safe driving proposals for young people, Simon Jackson, managing director of Girls Drive Better, has said.
Data 2013: OS discussing possibility of speed limit database
Telematics providers have been given a boost after Ordnance Survey revealed that firms may no longer need to rely on outdated resources such as Google Street View in order to generate speed limit data.
Towergate telematics offering implicated in teen driving deaths
A coroner is to write to Towergate Smart Motor with concerns about telematics rules following the death of two teenagers who sped home to meet the curfew set by their insurer.
Q&A: Andy Watson: Happy days
Andy Watson reflects on his short time in charge of Ageas UK and discusses market issues, including the referral fees ban, regulation, telematics and recent job cuts in the sector.
Relocation: The ex-pat factor
Following the news Allianz Insurance chief executive Andrew Torrance is moving to the US, Post quizzed senior British insurance professionals who have moved overseas on what he can expect.
Drivestyle launches mile-by-mile telematics product
Coverbox brand Drivestyle.co.uk has unveiled a new car cover that allows customers to purchase car insurers in bundles reflecting how far they drive.
Octo Telematics moves frontline operation from Rome to London
Italy-based telematics systems provider Octo Telematics has relocated its frontline operation from Rome to London in a bid to take advantage of opportunities in the burgeoning UK telematics market and to build stronger ties with both the insurance and…
Octo eyes up UK telematics opportunities
Telematics systems provider Octo Telematics has relocated its frontline operation from Italy to London in a bid to take advantage of opportunities in the burgeoning UK telematics market and to build stronger ties with both the insurance and manufacturing…
Zurich and Carrot launch smart car Initiative
Zurich and Carrot Insurance are targeting learner drivers with a pilot scheme where participants get a smart car.