Using Tesla as a case in point, GlobalData has underlined the need for motor premium pricing in the UK for owners of vehicles that are equipped with the latest technological advances, such as autopilot, to reflect the improved safety of driving.
Elon Musk’s U.S. automotive and energy storage company, Tesla, is often making headlines for its revolutionary use of technology to improve road safety for drivers. One such technological advance is the company’s autopilot feature, which, via the use of ultrasonic sensors and cameras enables the vehicle to perform manoeuvres and match the speed of surrounding traffic conditions, without the need for any input from the driver.
It’s been shown that Tesla’s autopilot reduces the risk of an accident and substantially improves the safety of driving, but, so far, this isn’t reflected in the pricing of premiums for owners of vehicles equipped with this type of technology.
Financial Analyst at GlobalData, Daniel Pearce, commented; “Clearly the exponential advances in this technology have made driving much safer, as the potential for driver error is removed from the situation once the Tesla autopilot is engaged. Crash rates across all Tesla models have fallen by 40% since the introduction of the autopilot system, illustrating how this technology has significantly improved the safety of driving. However, when owners seek to insure their Tesla vehicles, this is not reflected in the pricing of premiums.”
In an effort to reverse this, GlobalData explains that Tesla has partnered with numerous insurance companies across 20 countries via the Insure My Tesla scheme, which is designed to enable Tesla owners with access to insurance protection that reflects the increased safety of its vehicle.
In the UK Tesla is collaborating with insurer Direct Line, and with more than 2,500 Tesla vehicles with autopilot capabilities now on UK roads, GlobalData expects demand for policies that reflect increased safety standards to grow in the years ahead.
“Naturally the insurance industry will gradually respond to these developments, but the current pace of acknowledging the safety improvements such technology is bringing is far too slow. The industry should seek to collaborate with vehicle manufacturers in order to better understand the latest technology and how it can improve driver safety – in turn this will allow for customers to receive lower insurance premiums,” said Pearce.
