By: 5 January 2015
Co-operative insurance partners with e-merge to offer telematics-based driver training

The Co-operative insurance is piloting a series of online driving training modules based on telematics data.

The insurer has teamed up with e-merge safer drivers, a company formed to prompt behavioural change amongst young drivers to provide its young driver policyholders with advice and help to improve the four core skills of speed, cornering, braking and acceleration. Drivers can log onto their online Co-op policy details and study the modules while being given feedback on the way they drive through the telematics technology provided to policyholders.

The announcement comes as research from The Co-operative Insurance found that a fifth of young drivers (aged 18-24) believe they would be a safer driver if they were to benefit from continued education and lessons to improve their driving skills.

Commenting on the launch, Steve Kerrigan, head of telematics at The Co-operative Insurance said that the company was “committed to playing our part to increase the safety of young drivers”.

“With thousands of drivers already improving their driving and reducing their premiums by using our telematics technology. We believe that the modules will accelerate these benefits by providing additional tools to help our customers continuously improve their driving skills,” he said.

Jeremy Williamson, CEO and partner at e-merge safer drivers said The Co-operative Insurance was a natural choice for the company when looking for a partner to deliver the modules.

“This is just the first stage and we’re looking forward to developing the technology further based on customer feedback, telematics data and in conjunction with The Co-operative Young Member’s Board,” he said.

The Co-operative Insurance was the first major insurer to launch a pay-as-you-drive insurance product for young drivers in 2011, offering lower premiums for those installing telematics technology in their cars. Some 60,000 young drivers are thought to have signed up to the policy.