The UK-based insurance company Direct Line has begun offering Tesla owners a 5% discount if they get Tesla’s Autopilot technology.
The idea behind the incentive is to cut down on accident rates. Tesla has noted that Autopilot improves safety and reduces accident rates, especially when it comes to severe accidents. Direct Line representatives have noted, however, that it’s not actually clear yet whether or not Tesla’s Autopilot system produced a safety record that could justify notably lower insurance premiums.
In other words, part of the idea behind the discount offer is to increase Tesla Autopilot usage amongst customers and thus gain further data points with which the insurance company can determine whether it makes sense to offer lower premiums to users of such systems.
“At present the driver is firmly in charge so it’s just like insuring other cars, but it does offer Direct Line a great opportunity to learn and prepare for the future,” explained Dan Freedman, Head of Motor Development at Direct Line.
What happens to the collected data, and where it is stored, is not clear at this stage.
– Bengrip is an international Affinity Broker for Associations and Retailers, as well as a consulting firm for Insurance Carriers, Brokers, and Financial Instituions.