Insurer support of safety technology: benefits and barriers The National Academies Committee on Accelerating Progress to Reduce Alcohol-Impaired Driving Fatalities May 9, 2017 Jessica B. Cicchino iihs.org
IIHS-HLDI member companies
Best and worst collision frequencies 2014-16 passenger vehicles Scion FR-S Dodge Charger Hyundai Genesis 2dr Mitsubishi Lancer Tesla Model S 4dr electric 4WD Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Jeep Wrangler 2dr SWB 4WD Chevrolet Corvette Z06 2dr Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 2dr Chevrolet Express 3500 series 0 50 100 150 200 = 7.4 claims per 100 insured vehicle years
Best and worst collision severities 2014-16 passenger vehicles Bentley Continental GT 2dr 4WD Bentley Continental GTC convertible 4WD Bentley Continental Flying Spur 4dr 4WD Porsche 911 Turbo 2dr 4WD Porsche 911 Turbo convertible 4WD Chevrolet Express 3500 series Kia Soul electric Subaru Outback 4WD with EyeSight Subaru Outback 4WD Ram 2500 crew cab SWB 0 200 400 600 800 = $5,255 per claim
Best and worst collision overall losses 2014-16 passenger vehicles Bentley Continental GT 2dr 4WD Bentley Continental Flying Spur 4dr 4WD Bentley Continental GTC convertible 4WD BMW i8 plug-in hybrid 2dr 4WD Maserati Granturismo 2dr Kia Soul electric Ford E-250 4WD Ram 1500 LWB 4WD Smart ForTwo electric Chevrolet Express 3500 series 0 200 400 600 800 = $390 per insured vehicle year
Front crash prevention systems Change in claim frequency 10% low speed warning only warning with autobrake 0% -10% -20% PDL collision -30% Mazda (smart city brake support) Mazda (smart city brake support & FCW) Volvo City Safety FCA (with ACC, BSM & RCTA) Honda Accord camera (with LDW) Honda Accord radar (with LDW + ACC) Mercedes- Benz Volvo Acura Mercedes- Benz Subaru (with LDW) Volvo (with LDW)
Front crash prevention systems Change in collision claim severity $1,500 $1,000 low speed warning only warning with autobrake $500 $0 -$500 -$1,000 Mazda (smart city brake support) Mazda (smart city brake support & FCW) Volvo City Safety FCA (with ACC, BSM &RCTA) Honda Accord camera (with LDW) Honda Accord radar (with LDW & ACC) Mercedes Volvo Acura Mercedes Subaru (with LDW) Volvo (with LDW)
Cost of Mercedes Distronic radar unit Distronic: $2,177
Front crash prevention systems Change in collision overall losses $150 $100 low speed warning only warning with autobrake $50 $0 -$50 -$100 Mazda (smart city brake support) Mazda (smart city brake support & FCW) Volvo City Safety FCA (with ACC, BSM & RCTA) Honda Accord camera (with LDW) Honda Accord radar (with LDW & ACC) Mercedes Volvo Acura Mercedes Subaru (with LDW) Volvo (with LDW)
How do insurers know about the vehicles they insure?
Vehicle Information Number (VIN) Type, make, model, series, model year, engine encoded in VIN Body style, wheelbase, weight, transmission, standard vehicle technology can be derived Does not have information on optional or aftermarket vehicle features
Usage Based Insurance device/system vendors
Two device strategies Custom device in On-Board Diagnostics port and smartphone app
Claimed capabilities for UBI devices Vehicle dynamics Speed and acceleration Trip characteristics Time of day Length/duration Location via GPS Driver behavior Phone use Driver feedback Audio alert to speeding and hard braking events Parent monitoring Teen driving Fleet management Vehicle tracking Crash detection Notify first responders Notify insurer Classify injury risk
How does this apply to promotion of alcohol detection technology?
Ignition interlocks Can be integrated with telematics devices Interlocks often assigned in lieu of license suspension; pricing reductions for interlock use for offenders would only make sense beyond this period Cost is a limitation MADD estimates interlocks cost $70-150 to install and $60-80 per month for monitoring and calibration Reduced pricing for interlock use for non-offenders especially make sense for commercial fleets
DADSS If technology is standard on a vehicle series, its presence will be discernable in the VIN But not if technology is optional Telematics devices typically cannot detect presence of optional technology
Summary Insurers are interested in promoting safe vehicles and drivers because safety generally brings down costs Challenges exist in adjusting pricing for new technology Not all safety technologies reduce costs, even if they reduce crashes Need robust means of validating that insured vehicles have technologies
More information and links to our YouTube channel and Twitter feed at iihs.org Jessica Cicchino, Ph.D. Vice President, Research jcicchino@iihs.org iihs.org