A new device has been unveiled by State Farm and it will provide a range of safety features for policyholders. All that needs to be done is to simply plug them into the savings for low mileage drivers via the company’s discount auto insurance program.
This new in-drive service functions through an easy-to-install device which works in almost all vehicles manufactured post 1995, states the company.
In-drive is very similar to the OnStar system that was launched by General Motors and it will give drivers access to a host of features such as:
- Roadside assistance
- Stolen vehicle location assistance
- One-touch emergency response
- Maintenance reminders
- Vehicle diagnostic alerts
In-drive has been developed by the Atlanta-based Hughes Telematics that also allows users to take better advantage of the Drive Safe & Save program offered by State Farm. Under this program policyholders are rewarded for safe driving habits and low mileage.
Drive Safe & Save is one of the usage-based programs that are being offered by several insurance companies where they use on-board safety devices in order to monitor the driving patterns. Substantial discounts can be availed and that includes a 10% discount for signing up as well.
The Drive Safe & Save program is currently available in five states to State Farm customers. The five states where it is being offered are Colorado, California, Ohio, Illinois, and Texas. The Drive Safe & Save program that utilizes the In-Drive technology would be offered to customers in Illinois in September. The program would also be expanded to other states in 2012.
During December, Allstate had launched the Drive Wise program in Illinois. The company now plans to expand to another couple of states sometime this year.
However, both Allstate as well as State Farm have to cover a lot of ground if they have to compete with Progressive. The company’s Snapshot program is currently on in 38 states as well as the District of Columbia.
However, State Farm might be leading the way when it comes to potential savings.
Allstate and Progressive offer discounts of up to 30% for motorists who can prove lower mileage as well as safe driving habits. But State Farm states that its clients can easily save even up to half of their premiums, depending on a whole range of factors that include the distance they drive, how safe they are while they are behind the wheel, and when they drive the car etc.
