Telematics could save the rental sector £5 million annually in insurance costs, according to In-Car Cleverness and Next Vehicle Rentals.
The fall in insurance costs for businesses adopting technology is due to the risk profile changing, and the rental sector – consisting of around 1,000 businesses – could save £5 million, or £5,000 each annually.
Paul O’Dowd, sales manager at In-Car Cleverness, said: “Technology is a game changer for any business with a fleet of vehicles, but analysing the rental sector alone our customers are typically able to slash insurance costs by 20% or more.
“Some businesses negotiate a substantial contribution to the cost of adopting the telematics technology itself, and so can benefit from a lot more than just cutting insurance bills.”
The rental sector is increasingly realising that if businesses know how vehicles are being driven, and customers know that is the case, accident rates tumble. Rental firms and other businesses with fleets have also been benefiting from fewer cases of theft and fraud – as a result insurers are offering better rates.
Steven Cooke of Next Vehicle Rental said: “There’s no doubt insurers are taking notice of how telematics and technology can reduce risks. Insurers will review individual cases but savings are available when risks go down.
“Our insurance company actually contributed the cost of the roll-out of telematics across our fleet. They are actively supporting us to reduce vehicle theft and losses. As a result, its contribution amounted to an insurance saving of more than 18%.”
