March 7, 2005, TORONTO, ON – Aviva Canada, one Canada’s largest property & casualty insurance groups and the largest auto insurer in Ontario, announced that starting today eligible drivers can gain premium discounts of up to 25 per cent by participating in a unique initiative that enables drivers to track their driving habits.
The pilot program, called Autograph, is offered in partnership with 12 select brokers across Ontario for the first time in Canada. Aviva Canada has exclusive rights to this new patent-pending technology and has plans to expand the Autograph program across the country.
“Insurance consumers have been asking for more ways to directly influence and lower their auto premiums,” says Igal Mayer, President & CEO, Aviva Canada Inc. “Autograph is an easy way for drivers to take control of their auto insurance premiums by demonstrating safe driving habits.”
Mayer says the Autograph device is fun and interactive and installs easily into most cars. Customers simply drive their car and the device collects information statistically linked to risk, including how much, how fast and when a car is driven.
“The Autograph program has the potential to raise drivers’ awareness about their safe driving habits and how they can improve,” says Traffic Sergeant Retired, Ted Holtzheuser of Road Safety Network. “This innovation has the potential to positively contribute to road safety simply because it rewards the safe driving practices of Ontarians with lower premiums. It will be a real motivator for many drivers.”
Drivers participating in the Autograph program can remove the device and download the information gathered to their home computer to review driving data at any time. After six months, drivers can choose to submit the data to Aviva directly over a secure high-speed Internet connection to receive discounts of up to 25 per cent. Drivers who wish to see if they qualify for the Autograph program can find out at avivacanada.com.
“Autograph offers customized insurance for the individual and we are confident that there will be a person in every household who can benefit from this unique program,” says Mayer. “For example, moms who are driving a second car with low mileage, or who have younger drivers living at home on their policy, are ideal candidates. Urban drivers who take public transit and who drive mainly for errands are also ideally suited for Autograph.”
Participating Brokerages include: HUB International, Dalton Timmis Insurance, McFarlan Rowlands, Shillington Insurance Brokers, The Precept Group, Southland Insurance, MASS Insurance Brokers, Rhodes & Williams Insurance Brokers, and Stevenson & Hunt Insurance Brokers.
About Aviva Canada
Aviva Canada is one of the country’s largest property & casualty insurance groups and the largest auto insurer in Ontario. It has six member companies, more than 3,100 employees, 40 locations, and more than 2.2 million policies in Canada. Aviva Canada and its employees proudly support community causes including the United Way, the Scarborough Hospital Foundation and the Stratford Festival of Canada. Visit our website avivacanada.com.
About Road Safety Network
Road Safety Network is an organization of road safety experts from around the world, developing road and traffic safety strategies, policies and programs to reduce the incidence of collisions, thereby reducing death and injury due to road crashes.
Tags: Aviva, driving safety, McFarlan Rowlands, pilot program
