30% of UK motorists fail to see benefits of telematics, according to survey

By Elizabeth Howlett

10 December 2018

A survey by Redtail Telematics, in partnership with YouGov, revealed that 30% of UK motorists remain unconvinced that telematics will deliver any benefits.

A sample of 1,500 UK drivers were surveyed regarding their attitudes to using telematics-based insurance policies.

Obtaining cheaper car insurance and having improved awareness of their driving style were considered two of the incentives for choosing telematics-based insurance policies by those surveyed.

Redtail Telematics’ chief executive Dr Colin Smithers said: “Developments in the car insurance market have the potential to revolutionise the way we drive and how we guard against the risks of poor driver behaviour, but as the research highlights, there is still a process of education that needs to take place to convince the 30% of those surveyed who see no incentive to switch to using telematics”.

The top five reasons that UK drivers would choose telematics-based motor insurance policies according to Redtail Telematics/YouGov research are:

It potentially reduces the cost of car insurance for the driver – 47%
It would help with theft tracking if the car is stolen – 36%
It would help with claim management after a car accident – 31%
It provides a financial incentive to drive safely – 29%
It could help increase self-awareness of their own driving style – 27%

“The increased use of telematics has important implications for anyone who might consider taking up a a telematics-based insurance policy, policymakers and for society as a whole,” said Smithers.

“Widespread use of telematics is also likely to lead to better driving and fewer fatalities. BRAKE, the UK road safety charity estimates that there were 1,793 deaths due to road traffic accidents in 2018; How many lives would be saved if drivers knew they could save large amounts of money by paying more attention to their driving habits?

"As a parent who has used such policies, the reality is it’s the effects on one’s children driving that are so much more important than the discount.”