Italy Car Insurance Tech Firm, Octo Telematics, Weighs Sale or IPO: Sources

Octo Telematics SpA, the Italian car insurance-technology company, is pursuing an outright sale alongside preparations for an initial public offering, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Octo, owned by Russia’s Renova Group, is working with advisers to seek potential bidders for the company, which could fetch as much as $2 billion, the people … Read more

Motor Insurers Need to Adapt to Ward Off Competition from Car Manufacturers

As internet-connected and, eventually, driverless vehicles roll off production lines, traditional motor insurers need to adapt to ward off competition from car manufacturers. Insurers have struggled for years to make a profit from motor insurance due to intense competition and a rising tide of fraudulent claims. Now they face a much bigger threat as new … Read more

Pennsylvania Helps High School Students Better Understand Auto Insurance

Pennsylvania education secretary Pedro Rivera and Insurance Commissioner Teresa Miller are focusing on helping high school students better understand car insurance. An interactive lesson titled “Insurance 101” was recently debuted for educators and students at Central Dauphin East High School in Dauphin County, Penn., and is now available for teachers around the state. The lesson … Read more

Big Data Gathered by Twitter Monitoring Could Cut Premiums – and Erode Privacy

When people take to Twitter to comment on the great evening they enjoyed with good food and wonderful friends, reducing their monthly insurance bill is probably the last thing on their mind. But such tweets could help insurers to price premiums for individuals, with research suggesting a direct link between positive posts and a reduced … Read more

IIHS Study Finds Rearview Cameras Can Reduce Backing Crashes

Rearview cameras are expected to prevent nearly one-in-six police-reported backing crashes, an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) study has found. The IIHS is an Arlington, Virginia, headquartered independent, nonprofit research and communications organization dedicated to reducing highway crash deaths, injuries, and property damage losses, according to its website. The study compared rates of backing … Read more

Telematics-Based Car Policies in UK Exceed 750,000 for 1st Time in 2016

The number of live telematics policies in the UK exceeded three quarters of a million for the first time in 2016, according to annual research from the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA). The BIBA survey includes information from the leading telematics brands in the UK to determine the number of live policies which, on a … Read more

UK Motor Insurance Premiums Reach Record Levels in Q4 2016: ABI

UK motor insurance premiums hit their highest recorded levels in the fourth quarter of 2016 and rose more than five times the rate of inflation in 2016, as tax increases, increased repair costs and the rising costs of whiplash-style injury claims puts pressure on premiums, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI). The new … Read more

AIG Seeks Best Drivers in Singapore with New Smartphone App

AIG Asia Pacific Insurance Pte. Ltd. (AIG Singapore) has launched a nationwide search to find Singapore’s best drivers with “AIG On the Go,” a telematics-based smartphone application. “AIG On the Go” scores drivers’ performance every time they get behind the wheel, using telematics to measure driving performance against a range of factors, including acceleration, braking, … Read more