Car insurance news 2018
Here are some notable car insurance news stories from 2018:
- Rising premiums: Car insurance premiums continued to rise in 2018, with the average cost of insurance increasing by 10% in the UK and 12% in the US.
- Telematics insurance: Telematics insurance, which uses data from a driver's smartphone or a device installed in their vehicle to track their driving habits, became more popular in 2018. Insurers such as Aviva and Direct Line launched telematics-based policies, which can offer lower premiums for safe drivers.
- Electric vehicle insurance: As electric vehicles (EVs) became more mainstream, insurance companies began to offer specialized policies for EV owners. These policies often include features such as breakdown cover and battery damage protection.
- Autonomous vehicle insurance: With the development of autonomous vehicles, insurance companies started to explore new types of policies to cover the risks associated with self-driving cars. For example, Allianz launched a pilot program in the US to offer insurance for autonomous vehicles.
- Cyber insurance: As cars became more connected to the internet, insurance companies began to offer cyber insurance policies to cover the risks of hacking and data breaches. For example, AXA launched a cyber insurance policy for connected cars in the UK.
- Usage-based insurance: Usage-based insurance, which uses data from a driver's smartphone or a device installed in their vehicle to track their driving habits, became more popular in 2018. Insurers such as Progressive and State Farm launched usage-based policies, which can offer lower premiums for safe drivers.
- Ride-hailing insurance: With the rise of ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft, insurance companies began to offer specialized policies for drivers who use their vehicles for commercial purposes. For example, Allstate launched a ride-hailing insurance policy in the US.
- Distracted driving: Distracted driving remained a major concern in 2018, with many insurance companies launching campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of texting and driving. For example, State Farm launched a campaign in the US to encourage drivers to put down their phones while driving.
- Insurance for shared mobility: As car-sharing and ride-sharing services became more popular, insurance companies began to offer policies to cover the risks associated with shared mobility. For example, AXA launched a shared mobility insurance policy in the UK.
- Regulatory changes: There were several regulatory changes in 2018 that affected the car insurance industry. For example, the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into effect, which requires insurance companies to be more transparent about how they use personal data.
These are just a few of the notable car insurance news stories from 2018. The industry continues to evolve in response to technological advancements, changing consumer behavior, and regulatory changes.