Telematics company The Floow and Direct Line Group have launched an app-only telematics insurance initiative in the UK market.
The launch of DriveXpert sees Direct Line Group becoming the first UK insurer to use an app-only proposition to support policy-backed insurance on its Privilege brand.
Once a user has registered and downloaded the DriveXpert app to their smartphone, it acts as a mobility sensor that evaluates and scores smooth driving, mobile distraction, road risk, speed and time of day.
DriveXpert collects this journey data and feeds it into the FloowDrive platform, where it is used to calculate scores based on driving behaviour. The driver scores can ultimately result in policy premium discounts and provide feedback to help drivers become better behind the wheel.
David James, chief operating officer at The Floow, said “We have developed a strong, collaborative relationship with Direct Line Group since we started working together in 2012. It’s a relationship based on innovative thinking laser focused on providing the best insurance cover to drivers and positively influencing safer driver behaviour.”
James called the launch of DriveXpert a “truly a ground-breaking development”.
He said: “The platform harnesses the smartphone as a telematics sensor, rather than utilising the traditional black box method of recording driver data. DriveXpert is primarily targeted at young drivers, those aged under 26 years old, and offers an upfront discount to the driver, with the potential for them to also obtain a reduced premium at renewal time dependent on their scores.”
“The motor insurance market is rapidly evolving and we are committed to being at the forefront of this data-driven evolution, using telematics data to ensure both insurers and policyholders get the best out of their policies.”
Neil Ingram, head of motor product management at Direct Line Group, said: “This is a very significant milestone for both organisations and the UK insurance telematics market itself, a continuation of the long-term partnership we have enjoyed with the tech experts at The Floow, and a clear demonstration of the commitment from both sides to transform motor safety for the benefit of all drivers.”
“The previous products The Floow has developed for us, such as DrivePlus on our Direct Line brand, all used a smartphone app with a black box or onboard device to collect journey data. We now see that using a smartphone for data collection is just as accurate as using a black box and, as smartphones are more cost effective and pervasive, this widens the potential reach of telematics technology within motor insurance.”
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