Another motorcycle fatality in our province this week is renewing talks about motorbike safety, while Saskatchewan Government Insurance hopes to learn more about rider habits through a pilot project this summer that could also help reduce insurance rates.
Usage-based insurance (UBI) is a project that has motorcycle users place a small device on their bike, which records every turn and every push of the throttle, transmitting the data in the name of safety.
“We can re-construct a ride,” said Guillame Giraudon of Baseline Telematics, the company helping run the pilot. “We’ve had instances where we’ve reconstructed an accident scenario based on the telemetry received prior to the collision.”
The SGI project is a world-first for motorcycles, measuring the habits of roughly 300 riders in Saskatchewan.
In motor vehicles, SGI says it has been proven that using telematic date for insurance purposes can help reduce collisions.
“Ultimately, we’re trying to develop an insurance rating program around those type of behaviours that lead to accidents,” said SGI’s Don Thompson. “(Usage-based insurance) provides incentives not to drive that way.”
Saskatchewan is averaging 530 motorcycle claims per year, according to SGI. 132 of which result in at-fault injuries, and six at-fault deaths.
Officials say the number of crashes is high, but more concerning is the severity.
“They’re seriously injured, off work for a long time, and very expensive claims,” said Thompson. “If we can reduce the severity of those accidents, it’ll have a big impact on insurance rates.”
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SGI wanted to hike rates an average of 73 per cents, but a Rate Review Panel ultimately recommended a boost of only 15 per cent.
Participants at Friday’s demonstration say any effort to reduce rates and increase safety is worthwhile.
“If I can contribute to the baseline as well as assess my own riding risk profile, that will help me be a safer rider,” said Ken Ganshirt.
Usage-based insurance is still in the pilot stage. After analyzing the data gathered this summer, SGI says the program could be implemented for the next riding season.
The program is still seeking more riders to take part in the pilot, with up to 1,000 telematic devices available.
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