German ICMIF member HUK-COBURG is now offering its telematics customers automatic accident detection for quick support in the event of an accident. If the telematics system detects a possible traffic accident within Germany, users receive a push message on their smartphone. Depending on the severity of the accident, help can be requested by the member policyholder and the damage report can be made digitally. If the values measured by the telematics system indicate a traffic accident in which there could be injuries, an accident report is automatically issued. An accident reporting service provider will contact the policyholder by phone and, if necessary, notify rescue workers.
“We have been gaining experience in accident detection since 2016 and have further developed our telematics product in such a way that we can provide our customers with the best possible support, from a minor traffic accident to accidents with injuries,” explains Dr. Jörg Rheinländer, Board member of HUK-COBURG. “The added value of the new claims service lies in the fact that it combines accident detection and claims reporting. We now not only offer our customers cheaper insurance cover, but also quick help,” Rheinländer continued.
With the latest update of the “Mein Auto” (My car) app, telematics customers of HUK-COBURG and HUK24 can now use the new claims service at no additional cost. As soon as the damage report is activated via the app after an accident, they will receive further information and a digital damage business card including the damage number. This can be shared with those involved in the accident, for example via WhatsApp, SMS or e-mail. This means that the most important data for clarifying the next steps are available immediately.
Accident detection and reporting was developed by Cambridge Mobile Telematics. The global telematics service provider is a long-standing partner of HUK-COBURG. In addition, vehicle inspection company DEKRA checked the accident detection through crash tests.
Last year, HUK-COBURG updated its Mein Auto app so that telematics customers could see how environmentally aware their driving style is. The “Eco Drive” feature evaluates sustainable driving behaviour based on speed, acceleration and route characteristics. A particularly environmentally-friendly driving style is rewarded with points, which at the end of the year, are collated and can be exchanged into a donation to selected charitable organisations. Therefore, drivers have an additional incentive to collect as many points as possible and become more aware of the benefits of an environmentally conscious driving style.
Markus Zrenner, Data Scientist, HUK-Coburg will speak on the topic of Innovation and change in motor insurance using telematics in the Digitisation and innovation in reinsurance session at the forthcoming ICMIF Meeting of Reinsurance Officials (MORO) which takes place 16-18 May 2022 in Wiesbaden (Germany).
