Significant Safety Enhancements for Drivewise Users
Allstate has uncovered significant safety improvements for drivers who actively use their Drivewise feature, according to a joint analysis with their mobility information and data. The findings indicate that Allstate customers who opt into Drivewise, accessible via the Allstate app, are substantially safer on the road.
The program’s data shows a compelling 25% reduction in severe collisions for Drivewise users compared to non-users. Furthermore, an Arity study on driving behavior supports the idea that Drivewise customers are generally more cautious drivers. They are less likely to engage in risky driving behaviors such as excessive phone handling, speeding, and hard braking, with some behaviors being 44% less frequent than the average connected driver.
Detailed observations reveal that, among the 100 most populous urban areas in the U.S., Drivewise participants display notably safer habits compared to other connected drivers, including:
- 44% less phone handling while driving
- 23% less driving at high speed distances
- 11% fewer instances of hard braking
Ginger Purgatorio, Executive Vice President at Allstate, emphasizes the choice given to customers to pay insurance rates that reflect their driving habits. “We find that when customers choose to use Drivewise on their Allstate mobile app, they tend to drive safer,” Purgatorio states. It suggests a correlation between safer driving and potential savings on auto insurance for customers leveraging this feature.
Severe Accidents Highlight the Need for Safer Driving
The critical importance of safe driving has become increasingly evident as motor vehicle fatalities in the United States have surged. Statistics show a 13.6% increase in fatalities in 2023 compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Speeding, distracted driving, and impairment contribute significantly to the roughly 45,000 lives lost to preventable accidents annually.
Drivewise aims to mitigate these issues by evaluating and providing feedback on critical driving behaviors. Beyond behavior analysis, it offers features like crash detection services, which expedite assistance for customers post-accident. Additional information about Drivewise is available at Allstate.com/Drivewise.
The Reluctance to Use Telematics for Privacy Concerns
Despite the apparent benefits outlined by Allstate, some consumers are hesitant to use telematics systems such as Drivewise due to privacy concerns. They may not be comfortable with the idea of being continuously tracked or are worried about how their driving data could be used.
Main reasons for reluctance to use telematics include:
- Discomfort with constant monitoring
- Concerns over data privacy and security
- Skepticism toward the accuracy of telematics in reflecting actual driving behavior
- Worry that poor driving scores might increase insurance rates rather than save money
It’s essential to consider these concerns, and for insurers to address and provide reassurances about the security and use of personal data, to potentially encourage broader acceptance of these potentially life-saving technologies.
Looking Ahead
Allstate is preparing to release its 16th Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report® shortly. This report will rank the safety of drivers in the top 100 U.S. urban areas based on behaviors such as phone usage, high-speed driving, and hard braking. These key insights serve to further inform on the state of America’s road safety and the positive impact that tools like Drivewise may have on the ongoing challenge of ensuring safer roads for everyone.