It's the new trend in car insurance: an app and/or device that can log your driving habits, then potentially lead to good driving discounts on insurance. And Desjardins says it's Ajusto app makes it the first Canadian insurer to offer a program that doesn't require a device to be installed in the car.
Using the Ajusto app, which is available for both iOS and Android devices, drivers can get feedback on their driving, including driving smoothness, such as avoiding sharp acceleration, braking, or cornering, speed, time of day, and distance traveled. A discount of up to 25% on insurance, applied at renewal, is then possible based on performance in these four criteria. This in in addition to other discounts offered.
Worried your driving isn't that great? Aside from the clear motivation to improve it, the element of fear can be eliminated as the data will never be used to cancel a policy, refuse a renewal, or increase a premium. And it will not be used against the insured drivers in the event of a claim.
There are also motivational aspects to the app beyond saving money, including being able to compare results with friends and share them on social media.
Ajusto has been available for free to Desjardins customers in Ontario and Quebec since 2013.
"We're thrilled with Ajusto's results since its initial launch and believe that it will help drivers improve road safety, one download at a time," says Sylvie Paquette, President and COO of Desjardins Insurance.
The data speaks volumes: Desjardins says that customers who have signed up for Ajusto to date have saved an average of 12% on their auto insurance premium, and half of users saved 10% or more. And a survey of users in both provinces revealed that drivers said they both improved their driving and saved money. More than two-thirds say they now pay more attention when accelerating and braking.
Anyone can try the Ajusto app for free for 90 days to get an idea of the discount that could apply, regardless of whether you're with Desjardins Insurance or not.
Ajusto is also available to clients of The Personal - home, auto and business group insurer and subsidiary of Desjardins Group. By the end of the year, the program will also be made available to State Farm clients in Ontario.
Other driving apps have been launched, including ingenie insurance's app and device that tracks young driver habits to help them save money; the Co-operators, which is using technology from Intelligent Mechatronic Systems (IMS); and the Kanetix app, which works similarly to this technology, without the need for a device. Ajusto operates in the same was as Kanetix (which isn't tied to any insurance program), by running in the background, and measuring telematics from the phone's GPS and sensors. This means that it can also detect if you pick the phone up to text while behind the wheel, though this won't impact your score. Because the app strictly uses the phone and not a device connected to the car's OBD port like with ingenie and the Co-operators technologies, this means it will detect if the phone is moving for more than five seconds with the screen on. So it's best to place it in a single spot where it won't jostle around too much. Though a spokesperson confirms that the phone sliding on the passenger seat, for example, or within the cup holder, won't impact the read.