REGINA – SGI is proposing a pilot project to be one of the first insurance companies in the world to use telematics technology for motorcycles.
Telematics technology uses small devices installed in vehicles to record driving information like speed, braking, mileage and driving location to analyze the risk of a claim associated with a vehicle.
“This is a truly innovative approach to addressing the issues that have been raised by motorcycle owners regarding their insurance rates and traffic safety,” Minister Responsible for SGI Donna Harpauer said. “Usage-based insurance is the ultimate in rating fairness because it essentially lets the driver control their own insurance rate through their driving behaviour. Simply put, those who drive responsibly pay less and those who don’t pay more.”
The Motorcycle Review Committee – a group of concerned stakeholders assembled to address concerns over motorcycle insurance rates – is supportive of the pilot project.
SGI will be looking for several hundred Saskatchewan riders to volunteer for the telematics devices installed on their bikes once details are worked out.
“We’re eager to get the pilot program underway so we can really investigate this technology and get feedback from the volunteers about what the user experience is like,” SGI President and CEO Andrew Cartmell said.
“The program we’re planning to pilot would give riders weekly updates on their driving behaviour, to show them what information an insurer would be looking at. But even more importantly, we anticipate a positive impact on traffic safety as riders are more aware of their driving behaviour, which hopefully will mean fewer collisions, and associated injuries and fatalities.”
SGI will provide information on how riders can volunteer for the program once details are finalized.
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