Driving App in Focus: Safer Roads Through Tech-Savvy Incentives

2

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

Available on the AAMI mobile application, this innovative program allows the insurer to evaluate users’ driving habits, delivering feedback and suggesting ways to enhance safety on the road. Policyholders receive a safety score after each trip—taking into account factors like speed and smoothness in driving—and are rewarded for making strides in their scores.

Suncorp’s data, collected since 2022, indicates promising results: approximately 39% of users have improved their safety scores with sustained app usage. Impressively, among those initially marked with "low" scores, over half have shown noticeable progress.

The key improvements noted include smoother turning, gentler braking, steadier acceleration, and reduced phone use—all crucial elements contributing to safer driving practices.

Mary Kennedy, a spokesperson for AAMI, emphasized the initiative’s educational goal. “The app provides users with feedback on a trip level to highlight driving events which occur and provide tips to improve,” she explained. Participants can also earn badges for mastering particular safe driving behaviors, helping to incentivize improvement over time.

Kennedy acknowledges the burden driver distractions play on road safety, pointing out that rear-end collisions are the most prevalent type of claim over the last ten years. She noted these crashes often stem from a mix of impatience and inattentiveness behind the wheel.

“We want to be a leading voice for safer roads,” Kennedy stated. “Investing in a tool like AAMI Driver Rewards allows us to understand the driving behaviours that lead to accidents and use the insights to encourage road safety in the community.” This initiative highlights a merger of modern technology with safety education, potentially reducing accidents.

The potential knack for blending fun and learning in this app has also been praised by Kristy Ross, a clinical psychologist at the Black Dog Institute. “By incorporating rewards, challenges and progress tracking, it transforms behaviour change into a fun experience (not dissimilar to gaming) and users are incentivised to continue their progress over time,” Ross remarked.

Beyond personal benefits, AAMI’s app is also being utilized in collaborative efforts with New South Wales' State Insurance Regulatory Authority, aiming to evaluate the driving skills of over 500 young individuals, focusing on increased safety and responsible driving habits through its telematics feature.

The evolving landscape of driver-focused technology remains a promising pathway to reinforce safe driving practices. AAMI's initiative, as highlighted in the original article, exemplifies the strategic use of technology to mitigate risks and potentially change safety dynamics on the road.

Published:Monday, 9th Dec 2024
Source: Paige Estritori

Please Note: If this information affects you, seek advice from a licensed professional.

Share this news item:

Insurance News

Clear

AustralianSuper Announces Reduction in Default Income Protection Cover

20 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

AustralianSuper, one of Australia's largest superannuation funds, has announced a significant change to its default income protection insurance. Effective from 28 February 2026, the fund will reduce the default income protection cover to $1,000 per month. This adjustment aims to align insurance coverage with members' actual income levels and prevent over-insurance, which can erode retirement savings. - read more

APRA Postpones Changes to Individual Disability Income Insurance Policy Terms

20 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has announced a suspension of the planned changes to individual disability income insurance (IDII) policy contract terms. Originally set to take effect from 1 October 2022, the implementation has been deferred for at least two years, providing insurers and policyholders additional time to adapt to the forthcoming regulations. - read more

AFCA Upholds Policyholder's Income Protection Benefits Against Zurich

12 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has recently ruled against Zurich Insurance, instructing the insurer to maintain the current income protection benefits for a policyholder after an 11-year delay in proposing a reduction. This decision underscores the critical importance of timely and transparent communication between insurers and their clients. - read more

Neos Recognized as Leading Income Protection Insurer in 2025

12 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

In the 2025 Life Insurance Awards presented by Money Magazine, Neos has been honored as the top provider in the Income Protection Insurance category. This accolade reflects Neos's commitment to delivering comprehensive and reliable income protection solutions to Australians. - read more

TAL's Health Sense Plus Now Covers Income Protection Policies

04 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

In a significant development for policyholders, TAL has expanded its Health Sense Plus program to encompass income protection (IP) policies. This initiative, effective from August 8, 2025, aims to incentivise proactive health management by offering premium discounts to clients who engage in preventative health checks. - read more

Surge in Mental Health Claims Puts Pressure on Australia's Insurance Industry

04 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

Australia's insurance sector is facing unprecedented challenges as mental health conditions have become the leading cause of total and permanent disability (TPD) claims. Recent data from the Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI) reveals that mental health issues now account for nearly one-third of all TPD claims paid out. - read more

Click for more Insurance News