Allianz recently held a motor insurance mini summit, looking in particular at data use within cars, the systems enabling sharing data, plus the latest EU laws on accessing car manufacturer data. Allianz thinks that most drivers would be happy to see car makers and insurers share in-car data, if it brings them lower premiums, plus settles arguments about blame after a collision.
But the insurer noted that many drivers are still in the dark when it comes to car data:
“The survey of European car drivers about vehicle data conducted as part of this year’s Allianz Motor Day revealed a rather low level of understanding of the modern world of data in our cars. The fear of data misuse and loss of privacy is noticeable. But the survey also showed that the benefits that people can derive from their data are seen. There is great interest in using data for innovative services and accident clarification.”
Given that sorting out the liability at a typical junction or roundabout accident is often a slow process, there is an obvious time/cost saving for car insurance brands if technology can define location, speed, braking point, smartphone use before impact, ADAS systems deployed, road signage at the scene and more.
“With two-thirds of all respondents agreeing, approval is highest of data use for clarifying accident blame. For example, 69 percent (UK), 67 percent (France), 66 percent (Spain), 64 percent (Germany), and 63 percent (Italy) agree with the statement that every party involved should have the right to receive the data necessary for this purpose. “Our survey shows that there is a very positive view of the benefits of data recording for accident investigation,” says Jörg Kubitzki, safety researcher at the Allianz Center for Technology (AZT) and co-author of the study.
The use of data for quick accident processing by the insurance company also found high approval ratings (UK: 71 percent, France: 63 percent, Spain: 61 percent, Germany: 58 percent, Italy: 57 percent). The interest in making data available to the insurance company for improved services (e.g., automatic accident detection, roadside assistance, adapted insurance products) is 61 percent (UK), 57 percent (France, Spain), 55 percent (Italy), and 53 percent (Germany). Clarification of vehicle condition at the time of purchase and sale was agreed to by 58 to 69 percent of respondents, and improvement of road safety by 48 to 58 percent.”
The issue of phone access is a tough one, as people want privacy, whilst still wnating to blame drivers who are not paying attention and using their phone just before an incident;
“Above all, telephone usage data, destinations or locations, and routes driven are regarded as sensitive information, the unauthorized use of which is viewed critically. There is a high level of fear of hacking attacks, data theft, and data misuse by unauthorized persons. In Germany (47 percent), the UK (49 percent) and Italy (51 percent), one in two had concerns. In Spain (37 percent) and France (41 percent), respondents rated the risk slightly lower.
Many of those surveyed doubted that the data in the vehicle would only be used on an occasion-related basis (France: 42 percent, Spain: 46 percent, Germany: 54 percent, UK: 55 percent, Italy: 56 percent). “The concern about data protection is more than an abstract fear of hacking attacks,” says Kubitzki. “Anyone who makes data available, for example to process claims more quickly, must be confident that the information required for this is only used for the intended purpose.”
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