Since 2013, the Ajusto programme from Desjardins Insurance has been encouraging safe drivers and rewarding them for making Canadian roads safer. ICMIF member Desjardins has used the experienced gained with the telematics app over the last few years and released a new version of Ajusto that they believe will go even further in promoting safe driving habits.
“We’re confident that 75% of people who sign up for the new Ajusto programme will see a decrease in their auto insurance premiums. We’re going to strive to maintain or even improve that number in order to make our roads safer,” explains Valérie Lavoie, President and Chief Operating Officer of Desjardins General Insurance Group.
Ongoing analysis of driving habits and routines
To determine a user’s score on the app and then adjust the premium, Ajusto looks at driving habits (speed, quick acceleration, hard braking, cell phone distractions) as well as driving behaviour (distance, time of day, daily destinations). The new programme will analyse trips on an ongoing basis, rather than over a set period, to encourage drivers to maintain their good habits at all times.
“Driving less, for shorter periods and outside of rush hour are factors that can positively impact the Ajusto score. For anyone who has significantly changed their travel habits in recent months, that’s definitely something to think about,” Lavoie points out.
A powerful incentive
By adopting safe driving habits and following the advice on the mobile app, users stand a good chance of seeing their auto insurance premiums drop by up to 25%. Conversely, those who tend to be less attentive behind the wheel could actually see their premiums rise by up to 20%.
“Ajusto enables us to encourage insurance customers to adopt and, more importantly, maintain better driving habits so they can avoid collisions and maybe even save lives,” added Lavoie.
After signing up for Ajusto, an initial adjustment will be made to a user’s premium based on the score they receive during their first six months of use. Further adjustments will then be made annually each time they renew their auto insurance.
Always voluntary and free
Desjardins says Ajusto is for people who are open to changing the way they drive based on feedback from the app to improve and control a portion of their auto insurance premium. Naturally, the premium still depends on more traditional factors, like the vehicle year, make and model, as well as driving infractions or accident claims, etc.
The new Ajusto program is available in Quebec for clients of Desjardins Insurance and The Personal. It should also be ready for release in Ontario in the second quarter of 2021.
Improving road safety is still our top priority
Desjardins invests in road safety to reduce collisions and prevent injuries and fatalities on our roads. Through the cooperative insurer’s longstanding partnerships with leading organisations like Parachute and the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF), Desjardins continues to promote education and awareness of road safety issues, including the dangers of distracted and impaired driving, as well as new vehicle safety technologies. The results of a Desjardins 2020 road safety survey show that there’s still a lot of progress to be made.
