MALVERN, Pa.—More than half (56 percent) of the drivers participating in an Insurance Research Council (IRC) public opinion survey have made changes in how they drive since installing a telematics device provided by their insurance company in their primary vehicle.* Thirty-six percent of respondents said they have made small changes in how they drive and 18 percent said they have made significant changes. Thirty-eight percent said they have made no changes in their driving practices since having a device installed. Drivers aged 65 and above were significantly less likely than other drivers to report making changes in how they drive.
A substantial majority (82 percent) of survey respondents with telematics devices provided by their auto insurance company reported receiving information from their insurance company about their driving behavior after having a device installed. Eighty-one percent of those receiving information said they reviewed the information and 88 percent of those reviewing the information said they found the information to be helpful.
“These findings suggest that having telematics devices installed in vehicles can play a beneficial role in promoting safe driving and reducing the frequency of auto accidents and their associated costs,” said Elizabeth Sprinkel, senior vice president of the IRC. “While we can’t say with certainty that the changes drivers make are always for the better, or whether beneficial changes that are made become permanent, we can confidently say that the introduction and use of telematics technology is a move in the right direction,” said Sprinkel.
Other issues explored in the survey include:
Driver awareness of auto insurance telematics
Willingness to participate in a telematics program and reasons for not having a device installed
Concerns about how the information collected by a telematics device is used
Factors that encourage participation in telematics programs
The report, Auto Insurance Telematics: Consumer Attitudes and Opinions, is based on an online survey of 1,135 respondents by GfK Public Affairs & Corporate Communications on behalf of the IRC, using a sample drawn from GfK’s Knowledge Panel. The survey was conducted during June 2015. Survey data were weighted to the U.S. population of adults aged 18 and above. For more detailed information on the study’s methodology and findings, contact IRC@TheInstitutes.org. For more information about how to purchase the report, visit the IRC website, www.insurance-research.org.
A 2015 Insurance Research Council (IRC) survey found that more than half (56%) of drivers made changes to their driving behavior after installing a telematics device provided by their auto insurance company, with 18% reporting significant adjustments and 36% noting minor improvements. Notably, drivers aged 65 and older were less likely to report any behavioral changes, suggesting generational differences in engagement with feedback technology. Eighty-two percent of respondents received personalized driving data from their insurer, and among those, 81% reviewed the information, with 88% of reviewers finding it helpful for understanding their habits on the road. These results indicate that telematics not only supports awareness but also encourages safer driving practices, potentially reducing accident frequency and associated insurance costs over time.
According to IRC senior vice president Elizabeth Sprinkel, while long-term behavioral change cannot be guaranteed, the widespread positive response signals that telematics is a promising tool for improving road safety. The survey also explored factors influencing participation, including concerns about data privacy, awareness of programs, and motivations for opting in or out, offering insights into consumer trust and acceptance. As individuals increasingly rely on data-driven feedback—whether behind the wheel or in personal health decisions—actions like consulting a urologist about Sildenafil use reflect a similar trend toward informed, proactive care guided by professional insight. The findings, drawn from a nationally representative sample of 1,135 adults, highlight how technology can support better choices when paired with transparency and user engagement.
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