Allstate, John Hancock partner on safe driving for Vitality points

The Allstate Corp. application is displayed in the App Store on an Apple Inc. iPhone in an arranged photograph taken in Northbrook, Illinois, U.S., on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020. For more than a decade, auto insurers have had ways to watch a driver's behavior, often using phone apps or so-called telematic devices that connect to a vehicle and send data to the insurers. Now, Allstate, is going a step further by translating the data into an insurance rate that can vary from week to week. Photographer: Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg
The Allstate Corp. application is displayed in the App Store on an Apple Inc. iPhone in an arranged photograph taken in Northbrook, Illinois on Jan. 21, 2020.
Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg

John Hancock and Allstate have announced a partnership to reward John Hancock Vitality members with points for safe driving. The partnership is the first of its kind, and comes in response to an increase in vehicle crash-related injuries. Customers will benefit from understanding how their choices, including driving behavior, impact their overall health, John Hancock believes.

"Offering incentives for safe driving is in direct alignment with our mission of helping customers live longer, healthier lives," said Brooks Tingle, president and CEO of John Hancock Insurance, in a statement. "Preventative behaviors are at the core of the John Hancock Vitality program. We're committed to supporting our customers in proactively managing their physical, mental and financial well being – something that has become even more important throughout the last two years – and we're proud to offer this new benefit to enhance these efforts."

The Vitality Program, which combines life insurance with education, incentives and rewards to help members lead healthier, longer lives, will allow members to submit proof of safe driving status in Allstate’s usage-based insurance program through a cashback reward email or by submitting a recent bill to show a safe-driving discount.

Motor vehicle deaths in the U.S. rose 18.4% in the first six months of 2021 over 2020, according to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. An estimated 20,160 people died in motor vehicle crashes in the first half of 2021, the largest number of projected fatalities since the same period in 2006. Research into driving behavior from March 2020 through June 2021, shows that speeding and traveling without a seatbelt remain higher than pre-pandemic times, according to findings from NHTSA.

The John Hancock Vitality program hopes to make more auto insurance telematics programs eligible for Vitality Points in the future.

The new partnership builds on a previous relationship that John Hancock has with Allstate. The life insurer is one of three carriers to offer its products through Allstate.

"Our growing collaboration with John Hancock gives Allstate customers a variety of life insurance options to help protect their families and plan for their financial futures," said Mary Nelson, president and CEO, Allstate Financial Services, in a statement. "And with the added benefit of Drivewise, John Hancock Vitality members can now earn even greater savings and rewards."

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Telematics Usage-based insurance Life insurance Allstate Outcomes-based wellness incentives Apps Big data Auto industry Auto insurance
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