Farmers on Wednesday announced it might by mid-March have upgraded its discount-providing telematics app Signal to hold a “CrashAssist” feature.
Upon detecting a possible crash in line with the phone’s sensor data, the new technology will send a push notification towards the driver’s smartphone asking if a collision occurred and whether the motorist needs emergency services.
If the driver doesn’t react in a moment, Farmers will endeavour to call them twice.
“If the customer does not answer either telephone call, emergency services will be dispatched for their location,” Farmers wrote in a news release.
Besides extending a potential lifesaving service, Farmers said the software will even enable the driver to request roadside assistance — or report a claim.
The collision industry should take note:
If the claim reporting process here extends to the purpose of auto body shop recommendations, this might produce an benefit to Farmers Guaranteed Repair Network collision facilities, much like how telematics tech within connected cars is viewed as a means for OEMs to recommend certified shops.
Farmers, the nation’s No. 6 auto insurer, hasn’t yet responded to inquiries concerning the scope of the CrashAssist claims integration.
The safety feature might also nudge more Farmers policyholders into the Signal program, which could indirectly result in slightly fewer crashes by incentivizing and educating about safe driving.
Farmers gives drivers a 5 percent automatic discount for implementing Signal for 10 trips, though it waived this requirement temporarily with what appears to be a COVID-19 relief effort.
Depending on one’s perceived driving ability and risk, Farmers will cut discounts of up to 15 % annually for continuous use of the app, which tracks speeding, hard braking, time of day, mileage and distracted driving. The insurer also enrolls adults who achieve a “focused driving score of 80 or better” — i.e., individuals who don’t drive distracted — in a sweepstakes for up to $100 in rewards monthly.
Farmers also offers another discount of up to 10 percent if young drivers in a household use Signal too.
