Running costs, insurance group, price and condition may all be part of the selection criteria for a young driver’s first car, but data from telematics devices can now reveal which low cost cars are associated with safer driving behaviours. Telematics solutions provider Wunelli, a LexisNexis® Risk Solutions Company, has named the Fiat Panda, Kia Picanto and Citroen C3 as the top three most safely driven low cost cars based on analysis of driving scores and insurance claims. With young drivers being the hardest hit by the rising cost of insurance, the new analysis will give cash-strapped new drivers and their parents an additional factor to consider when making that first car choice. Selim Cavanagh, Vice President, Insurance, LexisNexis Risk Solutions UK & Ireland, said, “Novice drivers are facing increasing costs to get on the road and when it comes to selecting that all important first car, it’s not just running costs that should be taken into account – any knowledge that can be gleaned on how safely that model tends to be driven should also help. “But now telematics data can take the selection process one step further and support young drivers and their parents in making a more informed decision. “With our analysis they have a ‘double whammy’ benefit of choosing a first car that’s both economical and known to be driven more safely when a telematics policy is in place.” He added, “By making this information available we hope to encourage more motorists to choose telematics policies, not just for those crucial early years when bad habits can be formed as confidence improves, but beyond, enabling insurers to provide cover based on actual driving behaviour rather than predictions of how they might drive. “Our analysis underlines the power of telematics in supporting increased driver safety and its potential in supporting vehicle choice for the next generation of drivers.” Use of a hand-held phone may push up a premium or result in withdrawal of cover. It will also look at their use of music systems, mapping or texting services. Historical records show insurers increase premiums by about a quarter if a driver is caught using a phone at the wheel. There have been disputed challenges to mobile phone use when an app detected a passenger not the driver using a mobile device.
New vehicles loaded with high-tech crash-prevention cameras, sensors and microprocessors are pushing insurance costs higher, as the safety features, such as advanced driver assistance systems, can cost over five times more to repair than conventional parts. Telematics data reveals the most safely driven low-cost cars Telematics specialist Wunelli has found that the Fiat Panda, the Citroen C3 and the Kia Picanto are the three most safely driven low-cost cars, based on its analysis of data taken from drivers’ scores and insurance claims. The Panda is also one of only two affordable cars in which a driver’s score was not affected by an accident or other event during the first year after purchase.