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Usage-Based Insurance (UBI) for Vehicles: Smarter Driving, Lower Premiums

  • 19 March, 2024
  • 7 Mins

Highlights

Vehicle insurance has evolved beyond conventional coverage options. The government came up with a compulsory car insurance policy, Overtime the development of the internet and smartphones, have shifted the focus from the generalization of Insurance to the personalization of Insurance. One such solution the insurance companies come up with is the introduction of Usage-Based Insurance (UBI) for vehicles.  

This enables car owners to adjust their car insurance premiums based on their actual usage of the vehicle. In this blog we’ll explore how usage-based insurance for vehicles can become beneficial for businesses and customers alike. 

The Evolution of Usage-Based Insurance 

Regular automotive insurance have certain inherent drawbacks which led to the development of usage-based insurance for vehicles. These include, 

One-Size-Fits-All Premiums 

Traditional auto insurance policies typically rely on general demographic factors, vehicle age and other traditional factors to determine premiums. Policyholders have little control over their premiums, which are primarily based on demographic factors and historical claims data rather than their actual driving behavior. This not only lacks personalization but also lead to dissatisfaction among customers. 

Limited Incentives for Safe Driving 

Policyholders typically asked to pay a fixed premium regardless of their driving behavior. This can result in a higher frequency of accidents and insurance claims, leading to increased costs for insurers and policyholders alike. 

Difficulty in Assessing Risk 

Without real-time data on individual driving behavior, insurers must rely on historical claims data and general demographic factors to determine premiums. This can lead to inaccuracies in risk assessment and pricing. 

High Costs for Low-Mileage Drivers 

Drivers who clock low running in a year end up paying higher premiums than necessary. On the other hand, drivers who use vehicles more will pay less and have a high chance of claiming. UBI addresses this issue by allowing insurers to adjust premiums based on actual mileage driven, offering cost savings to low-mileage drivers. 

Limited Options for Cost Reduction 

Traditional auto insurance policies offer limited options for cost reduction beyond standard discounts. But with UBI, the insurance company can provide additional opportunities to reduce customer premiums. 

Overall, the drawbacks of traditional auto insurance have led to the development of Usage-Based Insurance as a more tailored and flexible alternative. 

Read More: Customer Intelligence for Insurance: Harnessing Strategic Insights 

Driving into the Future: Understanding Usage-Based Insurance (UBI) 

Usage-based insurance, also known as UBI, determines insurance premiums based on individual driving habits rather than a fixed amount typical of traditional car insurance. Key factors influencing UBI premiums include the distance traveled and driving behavior of the insured individual. UBI is often synonymous with telematics insurance. 

Usage-Based Insurance (UBI) employs a telematics device to monitor and assess how a vehicle is driven. This device collects vehicle “telematics” data through cellular, GPS, or other technologies. The collected data includes various driving behaviors such as acceleration, time of day, speed, hard braking, phone usage while driving, hard cornering, and miles driven. 

Insurance companies use telematics systems like FleetRobo’s Video Telematics and FleetRobo’s GPS Trakers to keep an eye on driver’s driving behavior. Insurance companies utilize this data to analyze driving behavior and determine the risk profile of the driver. Consequently, they can calculate premiums more accurately. As a result, safe drivers are typically offered lower premiums compared to those with riskier driving habits. 

So, usage-based insurance for vehicles is a bit like a partnership between drivers and insurance companies to help everyone drive safely and save some money. 

Benefits of Usage-Based Insurance for Vehicles 

Personalized Premiums 

Insurers use data collected from IoT devices installed in vehicles to assess how a policyholder drives. Safer drivers are rewarded with lower premiums, while riskier drivers may pay more. This system ensures that you pay a premium that reflects your actual driving habits, promoting fairness in pricing. 

By using UBI, insurance companies can give their clients up-to 25% policy discounts according to a business today article. As insurance companies have a track record of their clients, those who drive less than most people or avoid busy traffic times might get even bigger discounts. 

Safer Driving Incentives 

Usage-based insurance for vehicles encourages safer driving habits. Knowing that their driving is being monitored and assessed, policyholders are incentivized to obey speed limits, avoid rash driving, and generally adopt safer driving practices. This, in turn, leads to fewer accidents and safer roads. 

Customers can save money with UBI insurance, usually around 10% to 30% according to an article by CreditKarma.   

Real-Time Feedback 

Many usage-based insurance programs provide policyholders with real-time feedback on their driving habits. This feedback can help individuals identify areas where they can improve their driving skills, such as avoiding sudden accelerations or hard stops. Over time, this feedback can lead to better and safer driving behaviors. 

Reduced Environmental Impact 

Usage-based insurance also has environmental benefits. By encouraging eco-friendly driving habits, such as smoother acceleration and reduced idling, it can help reduce carbon emissions. This aligns with environmental goals and contributes to a greener, more sustainable approach to driving. 

Enhanced Safety 

With the use of telematics devices, some usage-based insurance programs offer additional safety features. For example, automatic crash response provides rapid assistance in the event of an accident. These safety features bring peace of mind to customers and organizations. 

Read More: From Slow Claims to Instant Payouts: How AI is Changing Insurance 

VISoF Accelerating UBI Adoption Among Businesses 

Insurance companies utilize telematics systems such as like FleetRobo’s Video Telematics and FleetRobo’s GPS Trakers to monitor and assess drivers’ driving behavior. Along with that, VISoF’s Usage-Based Insurance (UBI) ready platform can be effortlessly updated into your systems. With its adaptable tech and customizable features, VISoF ensures a smooth transition, letting businesses use real-time data for client assessment. 

VISoF is your go-to solution for seamless data integration in Usage-Based Insurance. It offers a customizable Standard Development Kit (SDK), empowering insurers to quickly integrate telematics systems into online platforms. 

According to Allied Market Research, the global Usage-Based Insurance market is projected to nearly reach $150 Billion by 2027, experiencing a robust yearly growth rate of 25.1%. 

Tailored Automotive UBI Solutions 

It meets the unique needs of automotive insurance. Tailored for brokers and corporate license holders, it comes with pre-configured processes and business rules, making UBI implementation easy. This custom-tailored architecture ensures that VISoF syncs seamlessly with the specifics of usage-based insurance models.  

Enhanced Analytics for UBI Insights 

VISoF offers advanced analytics dashboard for a deeper understanding of UBI insurance dynamics. This feature gives businesses visibility into core operations, driving habits and other statistical factors. These factors support data-driven decision-making for effective usage insurance management. 

Read more: A Geek’s Guide to Insurance Analytics: Turning Data into Dollars 

Key Trends Driving Usage Based Insurance Sector 

Here are the three most promising trends in UBI for the year 2023 

Personalized Customer Experience 

Traditional usage-based insurance for vehicles mainly focused on monitoring driving behaviors like speed and braking. Now, UBI can help insurance companies to understand not just how their clients drive but also why they drive. This allows for a more personalized policy suggestion experience.  

The shift from a purely data-driven approach to a more human-centered one brings a win-win for insurers and policyholders, creating stronger and more engaging relationships. 

Efficient Claims Processing 

Accidents happen and dealing with the aftermath can be stressful. Many UBI insurances in the future will become even faster. Technology will record details of the events surrounding the accident, and even assist with filling out necessary forms. This streamlining of claims will reduce the post-accident stress, making usage-based insurance for vehicles a valuable choice for clients. 

VISoF provides various automotive insurance operations, from policy issuance to post-policy actions, covering all vehicle types. With a highly scalable architecture, VISoF provides high configurability and advanced analytics, ensuring efficient management of automobile insurance. 

Multimodal Mobility Coverage 

The future of UBI is all about covering all modes of transportation. Usage insurance is evolving toward providing continuous mobility coverage that accounts for how clients move. Whether they’re driving, cycling, or using an e-scooter.  

This “pay how you move” concept recognizes that a single driving event might be just a small part of overall mobility patterns. By encouraging less car usage and incorporating features like “green rewards,” UBI auto insurance will also contribute to a greener environment. 

Conclusion 

Usage-Based Insurance for vehicles delivers personalized, cost-effective insurance coverage. UBI’s future guarantees personalized experiences, streamlined claims, and comprehensive transportation coverage—a journey to a safer, eco-friendly, cost-effective road ahead. 

Binary’s Insurtech solution, VISoF, addresses challenges faced in Usage-Based Insurance setups. It offers a highly customizable platform for seamless integration of insurance products and services. Which empowers insurance companies to adapt rapidly to evolving customer needs. With over a decade of experience in the domain, VISoF is well-equipped to cater to insurance companies’ diverse requirements.