Available on the AAMI mobile application, this innovative program allows the insurer to evaluate users’ driving habits, delivering feedback and suggesting ways to enhance safety on the road. Policyholders receive a safety score after each trip—taking into account factors like speed and smoothness in driving—and are rewarded for making strides in their scores.
Suncorp’s data, collected since 2022, indicates promising results: approximately 39% of users have improved their safety scores with sustained app usage. Impressively, among those initially marked with "low" scores, over half have shown noticeable progress.
The key improvements noted include smoother turning, gentler braking, steadier acceleration, and reduced phone use—all crucial elements contributing to safer driving practices.
Mary Kennedy, a spokesperson for AAMI, emphasized the initiative’s educational goal. “The app provides users with feedback on a trip level to highlight driving events which occur and provide tips to improve,” she explained. Participants can also earn badges for mastering particular safe driving behaviors, helping to incentivize improvement over time.
Kennedy acknowledges the burden driver distractions play on road safety, pointing out that rear-end collisions are the most prevalent type of claim over the last ten years. She noted these crashes often stem from a mix of impatience and inattentiveness behind the wheel.
“We want to be a leading voice for safer roads,” Kennedy stated. “Investing in a tool like AAMI Driver Rewards allows us to understand the driving behaviours that lead to accidents and use the insights to encourage road safety in the community.” This initiative highlights a merger of modern technology with safety education, potentially reducing accidents.
The potential knack for blending fun and learning in this app has also been praised by Kristy Ross, a clinical psychologist at the Black Dog Institute. “By incorporating rewards, challenges and progress tracking, it transforms behaviour change into a fun experience (not dissimilar to gaming) and users are incentivised to continue their progress over time,” Ross remarked.
Beyond personal benefits, AAMI’s app is also being utilized in collaborative efforts with New South Wales' State Insurance Regulatory Authority, aiming to evaluate the driving skills of over 500 young individuals, focusing on increased safety and responsible driving habits through its telematics feature.
The evolving landscape of driver-focused technology remains a promising pathway to reinforce safe driving practices. AAMI's initiative, as highlighted in the original article, exemplifies the strategic use of technology to mitigate risks and potentially change safety dynamics on the road.
Published:Monday, 9th Dec 2024
Source: Paige Estritori
| AFCA Observes Significant Increase in General Insurance Complaints 01 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has reported a 17% increase in general insurance complaints for the year ending June 30, 2025, totalling 34,231 cases. This uptick is primarily attributed to issues surrounding add-on covers and delays in motor vehicle insurance claims. - read more |
| APRA's Findings: Stability in PI Claims and Decreasing Premiums 01 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has released its latest National Claims and Policies Database, providing valuable insights into the professional indemnity (PI) insurance sector for the 2022 underwriting year. The data indicates that PI claims payments for non-facility business remained relatively stable at $1.111 billion, a slight increase from $1.109 billion in the previous year. - read more |
| Upcover's New Insurance Solutions for Australian Nurses 01 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori Sydney-based insurtech company Upcover has unveiled a new professional indemnity and public liability insurance product tailored specifically for nurses across Australia. This initiative aims to provide comprehensive coverage that meets the unique needs of nursing professionals, including nurse practitioners, in-patient nurses, doulas, and nursing students. - read more |
| Rising Strata Insurance Costs in the Northern Territory 01 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori Homeowners in the Northern Territory are experiencing significant increases in strata insurance premiums, despite the federal government's cyclone reinsurance pool, established in 2022 to mitigate such costs. This development raises concerns about the effectiveness of the pool and the broader implications for property owners in cyclone-prone regions. - read more |
| How Pre-Existing Conditions Influence Life Insurance Premiums When it comes to life insurance, a pre-existing condition refers to any medical condition or illness that you have been diagnosed with before applying for a life insurance policy. - read more
|
| Income Insurance: Common Misunderstandings that Could Cost You When life throws unexpected challenges your way, income insurance can be a financial lifesaver. Essentially, it's a policy designed to replace a portion of your income if you're unable to work due to illness or injury. Imagine not having to worry about bills piling up while you focus on recovery. That's the peace of mind income insurance aims to provide. - read more
|
| Keeping Your Family Protected: The Importance of Adequate Health Insurance Coverage The modern Australian family faces a dynamic and ever-evolving set of health needs, with access to quality healthcare remaining a cornerstone of managing our wellbeing. As these needs shift through the different stages of life, the assurance of having a safety net in place can provide unparalleled peace of mind. It's this sense of security that makes adequate health insurance coverage indispensable in today's fast-paced society. - read more
|
| Comparing Income Protection Policies: What Australians Should Look For Income protection insurance serves as a financial safety net for countless Australians, offering a replacement income when unforeseen circumstances such as illness or injury impede their ability to earn. For the self-employed and entrepreneurs who may not have the safety nets offered by corporate employment, such protection is particularly important. - read more
|