Allstate announced an expansion of its usage-based insurance coverage into six new states, as well as a mobile app that provides updated information to customers after each trip, syncing them up with the insurer’s usage-based coverage.
Joining 10 other states, drivers in Missouri, Indiana, Minnesota, Maryland, Utah, and Washington State are now eligible for Allstate’s usage-based coverage. Usage of DriveWise, Allstate’s complementary app, is planned to expand, as the company anticipates the majority of Allstate’s marketplace will have access to the usage-based insurance tool by the end of this year.
Also according the a release from the insurer, upon signing up for and using the device, customers automatically receive a 10-percent enrollment discount and after the first six months of use, the enrollment discount is replaced with a performance discount based on demonstrated driving habits.
Allstate’s usage-based coverage consists of plugging a small telematics device into the on-board diagnostic port found under the dashboard/steering column on most cars, which allows it to track driving behavior. Then using the app or Web platform, customers can monitor their habits.
The insurer also launched a national tour that aims to “bring awareness around distraction-free driving.” The tour is called Reality Rides, and will travel to more than 20 U.S. cities. A simulator will attempt to demonstrate the dangers of distracted driving at each stop by providing a virtual reality environment that reacts to the participant’s movements, as they are challenged to text and talk on the phone while driving.
"The Allstate Reality Rides tour is an innovative, engaging approach to raising awareness about the importance of distraction-free driving," said Sanjay Gupta, executive vice president of marketing, innovation and corporate relations at Allstate Insurance Company. "We'll be going to communities across the country to gain awareness about the dangers of cell phone use and texting behind the wheel. Advocating for driver safety is an important part of Allstate's legacy and this outreach effort will build on our commitment to keep our kids and all drivers safer on the roads."
The tour will also spread awareness about graduated driver licensing (GDL) laws, which recent research from The Allstate Foundation's License to Save report claims that comprehensive GDL laws could save an estimated 2,000 lives and $13.6 billion annually.
