Downwell Group has reduced its annual insurance premiums by 20% and cut the number of accidents on its mixed fleet thanks to connected vehicle cameras.
The company provides demolition and other pre-construction services in the Essex area and installed the SureCam 3G forwarding-facing solution from Intelligent Telematics earlier this year across its fleet, replacing a previous tracking solution.
The 3G camera technology enabled an additional premium reduction with the company’s insurance partner due to its ability to show immediately identify the fault party in an accident. All collisions, near miss or harsh driving events are automatically recorded and uploaded to a secure server network, with serious incidents triggering a text or email alert. Downwell Group is then able to view the footage of before, during and after the incident, typically within seconds from an online dashboard, enabling them to sort emergency assistance if required, reschedule vehicles to avoid customer disruption, and arrange any repairs.
Meanwhile, Downwell Group’s insurance partner can use the video evidence to quickly determine any liability. This is helping to significantly reduce the number of 50/50 or disputed claims, while this speed of notification is ensuring genuine claims to be settled swiftly and efficiently.
Downwell Group is also using the connected vehicle camera to analyse driver behaviour and encourage improved driving practices by supporting targeted training, better engaging with drivers and implementing an incentive scheme. Moving forward, this will not only improve safety and ultimately save lives, but also contribute to reduced wear and tear on vehicles and lower fuel consumption.
“In addition to the clear insurance benefits, the 3G vehicle cameras are already impacting driver behaviour and helping positively influence the mindset of our workforce when they are out on the road. It is also providing added protection and support to drivers who now know that emergency services can be contacted as soon as an incident has occurred and that the video can be used to validate their version of the story,” said Steven Padmore, operations director of Downwell Group.
