After an accident, you usually ask yourself questions like these: How exactly did it happen? Has the car already been damaged? The expert comes exactly when you are at the dentist and the cost estimate is at least three weeks in coming. On the other hand, you can now scan every doctor’s bill via smartphone and immediately upload it to an app, where it is read and the amount transferred to you on the same day. When it comes to car insurance, however, we still need a little patience. Interestingly, a new technology is currently developing that could simplify, if not revolutionize, processes. We are talking about smart claims, which include a combination of guided image and therefore damage detection with the immediate creation of a cost calculation for materials and working hours. These are intended to shorten process times, standardize damage processes and reduce fraud.
Scan the vehicle via smartphone
How exactly does that look for the average consumer who, for example, books a rental car in a holiday destination? When you arrive at your holiday destination, you scan the car with your smartphone when the vehicle is handed over using guided images in order to document any previous damage. The link to this could come via SMS or be stored in an app. As the renter of the vehicle has a great interest in not being prosecuted for existing damage later, this process is carried out very conscientiously; the same applies to the return, whereby previously recognized damage is displayed again.
Immediate determination of the amount of damage
In the event of an accident, it would now be possible to take pictures of the damage to the car immediately at the scene of the accident, so that the insurance company has the exact location and time. With the help of artificial intelligence, the amount of damage is then immediately determined and forwarded to the insurance company and the rental company. This in turn reduces or eliminates the reporting process and any disputes with the insurance company or the rental company.
Insurers participate in the know-how
As a reinsurer, we have a good overview of trends in product development and the technologies that could have a lasting impact on the insurance world. In order to enable a scaling effect, Swiss Re is investing in these new technologies in the automotive sector in order to make them available to insurers and thus to end customers. The advantage is obvious: thanks to learning effects that are gathered from global projects, local insurers can participate in the know-how without having to deal with large sums of money themselves.
The end user therefore benefits from a new technology that Swiss Re has developed further in recent years. It is about the most individual consideration of the user from an insurance point of view, telematics and the so-called pay-how-you-drive or pay-per-mile insurance system.
Smart claims technology and telematics
In no other insurance can the policyholder directly influence his premium by measuring his predictive and situation-adapted driving behavior quasi live. In concrete terms, this is the test of “I drive better than the others”. If that is actually the case, you can feel it in your wallet in the end – and positively. If you drive well, it would also be conceivable to reward the driver with fuel or washing vouchers. A major advantage is that the insurer would have more points of contact with the customer, instead of just concluding the contract and reporting the claim. The insurer could also offer the customer various benefits with data or movement patterns. For example, you are driving into an area where hail is the order of the day. A little hint such as the driver should go to a garage to protect the vehicle would save both parties a lot of trouble. If an accident does occur, the telematics system knows what happened immediately. In combination with the smart claims technology, this would make life easier for the end customer. Services such as immediate payment, confirmation of coverage and recommendation of the appropriate workshop can be integrated here. And if the smartphone already knows where you are, order the tow truck right away.
Bild: © Aleksey 159 – stock.adobe.com
