If you have ever been in a pinch and have not been able to reach your insurance provider, fret no further! The last few years, Insurance carriers have begun introducing their own applications. These apps allow insureds to access their policies by phone, and to make changes as they see fit. Several questions have emerged from our client base, but the most common one of all: “Do these apps track me?” That answer is complex.
There are two different kinds of driving apps. The primary branded carrier app allows you to do several things: Access your policy, find proof of insurance, make payments, adjust coverage, approve closings for both auto and home, and any additional information you may need. This app tracks preferences but does not track driving behavior. The rewards apps are the ones that do. This is the type of application that tracks driving habits and has geolocation features to do so. They can directly affect a driver’s rate by utilizing the safety data they gather from the user’s driving habits.
An example of a great carrier app and rewards app would be Plymouth Rock. Plymouth does not have weekend hours, so their carrier app now fills in those gaps. It allows you to manage changes that happen on your policy even when your agent and the carrier are unavailable. One of the main cases of this is that if you find yourself buying a vehicle over the weekend, you can add your new vehicle onto your policy and provide the seller with proof of insurance. They also have another app called Road Rewards. This app allows them to track your driving habits to compile data, and it does not affect your rates; plus, you earn points that you can put towards gift cards! Most carriers offer these apps, so be sure to ask your agent about how you can use them to your benefit.
