Driving App in Focus: Safer Roads Through Tech-Savvy Incentives

2

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

Share this news item:

Insurance News

Strengthening Agricultural Insurance: Rural Affinity and Munich Re's Renewed Partnership 10 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori Rural Affinity has renewed its partnership with Munich Re Specialty - Global Markets under a new five-year agreement, continuing a collaboration that began in 2006. This renewed alliance aims to support Rural Affinity's efforts to expand its agricultural insurance offerings across Australia and introduce new products leveraging technology and innovation. - read more

AFCA Mandates Insurer Payout for Engine Overheating Incident 10 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has recently ruled in favour of a truck owner whose insurance claim was initially denied following an engine overheating incident. This decision underscores the complexities surrounding insurance claims related to driver negligence and mechanical failures. - read more

AFCA Supports Insurer in Truck Theft Claim Denial 10 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has recently upheld an insurer's decision to deny a truck theft claim, citing misrepresentation of the insured's insurance history. This ruling highlights the critical importance of accurate disclosure when obtaining insurance coverage. - read more

AFCA Sides with Freight Company in Dangerous Goods Disclosure Case 10 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has recently ruled in favour of a freight company in a dispute over the disclosure of transporting dangerous goods. This decision provides valuable insights into the obligations of transport companies regarding insurance disclosures. - read more