While traversing Chicago, a Security Transport driver encountered an incident where a pickup truck disregarded a red light, resulting in a collision. According to Security Transport Safety Director, the driver was on the verge of receiving a citation for the mishap.
However, the situation took a turn as the driver promptly presented video footage from the Netradyne dash camera installed onboard, effectively vindicating the driver.
These AI-powered dashcams not only clear drivers of culpability but also extend their impact to enhancing safety scores and reducing insurance premiums. These outcomes carry substantial weight in positively affecting a fleet's financial bottom line.
Security Transport secures its insurance coverage through High Definition Vehicle Insurance (HDVI), a collaboration that involves deploying AI dashcams from Netradyne to assist fleets in potentially reducing their insurance expenses by up to 20%. Netradyne extends its partnerships to other providers in the commercial trucking insurance domain, such as Cover Whale.
In this blog post, let us discuss how AI-powered dashcams can help lower insurance costs for fleets and increase their bottom line.
Discussing the implications of AI-enabled safety cameras on insurance costs, Bob Carl, fleet services and risk engineer at HDVI, highlighted that the escalation of insurance prices necessitates an understanding of the pricing mechanisms.
Underwriters evaluate aspects such as loss frequency, which is increasing industry-wide. The escalating costs of settling these losses are further compounded by modern equipment embedded with advanced technology, which raises repair and replacement expenditures.
Insurance coverage for a fleet involves multifaceted considerations, including potential significant legal verdicts, CSA scores, driver quality, shipping routes, and transported commodities. Nonetheless, safety remains the overarching priority for insurance providers.
Carl emphasized the analogy of a fleet's CSA score to a credit score, highlighting that insurance companies are increasingly adopting policies that mandate not only dashcams but AI-powered dashcams. These advanced systems provide deeper insights into accidents while simultaneously delivering real-time guidance to enhance driver conduct.
HDVI mandates the installation of an outward-facing camera on every insured unit, with the inclusion of an inward-facing camera left to the discretion of the fleet. Certain fleets, like Security Transport, opt for both camera orientations for enhanced fleet safety.
The activation of the inward-facing camera occurs only when a driver exhibits recurrent safety concerns that require investigation, such as potential distracted driving instances.
Employing AI technology, the Netradyne system analyzes facial and eye movements, promptly detecting signs of distracted driving. It issues alerts to the driver, prompting corrective action within a specified timeframe before notifying a supervisor in case the issue persists.
Notably, the system records the entire duration of a trip rather than relying on trigger-based recording. This comprehensive approach offers a more holistic perspective in the event of an accident.
For example, the AI-powered dashcams can verify speed limit signage to ascertain instances of speeding. It also has the capability to identify instances of running a red light, even if an accident doesn't occur, subsequently delving into the underlying reasons behind such actions.
This technology provides insights not only into risky behaviors, categorized accordingly, but also into commendable driving practices. This comprehensive vantage point enables tailored driver coaching and shifts conversations surrounding driver conduct.
Upon uncovering the underlying causes for unsafe behavior and conducting necessary coaching, it was indicated that the inward-facing camera is subsequently deactivated.
Some carriers express reservations about incorporating inward-facing cameras due to concerns that while cameras can vindicate a driver, they might also potentially implicate them – such as if a driver was using their phone while the truck was in motion.
However, if a litigation arises following an accident, legal representatives are likely to request the driver's cell phone records to ascertain the facts. Having an inward-facing camera allows the carrier to be prepared, often leading to the avoidance of litigation through settlements.
This approach proves less costly both in the short term and in terms of long-term insurance premiums.
HDVI adopts an innovative approach that extends beyond dashcams. The insurer assigns a dedicated fleet services representative to each fleet insured under HDVI.
This fleet service team conducts monthly meetings with the fleet to analyze trends that could potentially lead to complications during audits or roadside inspections, both within the fleet and concerning its drivers.
This is complemented by round-the-clock access to the HDVI fleet portal and a driver app that incorporates an online learning management system.
The industry experts empathize with safety managers who juggle multiple responsibilities and limited time. He emphasized the goal of alleviating some of their burdens. Every HDVI policy includes a fleet services representative who identifies trends and offers actionable insights based on the data.
HDVI was able to increase its discount offering from 12% to a potential 20% in February. Currently, the average discount stands at approximately 10% off policy rates.
For instance, Security Transport has achieved an average 7% savings over its policy period, with its premium discount now exceeding 10%. Moreover, Security Transport has observed a notable increase of over 200% in its Netradyne safety score.
In the conventional insurance realm, fleets that opt to install dash cameras might receive a modest subsidy for these devices. However, their insurance benefits are typically limited or negligible.
For instance, if a fleet holds a $500,000 policy, there exists a potential to accrue savings of up to $100,000 over the policy's duration. Given the current market dynamics, the additional funds could be immensely valuable for other operational aspects of a fleet's business.
Leveraging technology to your advantage not only leads to potential cost savings but also streamlines the process of addressing expensive litigation. Furthermore, it contributes to driver retention by assisting them in enhancing their performance, rather than resorting to merely coaching them out of the organization due to violations or accidents.
As our exploration of AI-powered fleet management concludes, a world of possibilities unfolds. The Security Transport incident, backed by Netradyne dash camera evidence, showcases technology's transformative might. These AI marvels absolve drivers, elevate safety scores, and slash insurance premiums – a financial game-changer for fleets.
In tandem with HDVI, this transformation goes beyond gadgets. With dedicated reps, insightful meetings, and digital tools, HDVI reshapes fleet management. Human expertise blended with AI insights empowers safety managers to champion safety and success.
Beyond finance, AI-powered dashcams bolster litigation strategy and driver growth. Navigating conflicts and enhancing performance builds accountability. The result? A fleet thriving on safety and excellence.
As innovation beckons, we stand at a crossroads. Leveraging AI-powered dashcams promises savings, efficiency, and better driving. With technology leading, a new era of fleet management emerges, where each mile propels progress and prosperity.
Sara Naveed is a creative and digital content writer who uses her creative skills to develop and edit professional web content. Being a writer has always been her dream. She earnestly hopes people appreciate her writing—an asset she deeply covets. Using her 8+ years of working experience, she writes for trucking industry experts who are always looking for better technological solutions to their problems.
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