Allstate’s Drivewise Telematics App Adds Shopping Rewards, Challenges

In addition to offering auto insurance savings to its insureds, the Allstate Insurance mobile telematics app known as Drivewise now allows drivers to earn safe driving points they can spend on merchandise, gift cards and local merchant offers.

Any driver can earn rewards points, regardless of whether they have an insurance policy with Allstate.

Allstate says the point system encourages safe driving. While most reward programs generally require someone to make a purchase or pay their bill to earn points, consumers simply need to drive safely to benefit from Allstate Rewards.

Drivewise Mobile is the first insurance company smartphone app to offer this benefit, according to the Allstate.

“We’re providing cutting-edge capabilities to better serve drivers and protect what matters to them most,” says Allstate Connected Car Vice President Ginger Purgatorio. This is another example of how we are changing the way people think about an insurance company – and at the same time, it encourages safe driving that benefits everyone on the road.”

The updated app also offers drivers opportunities to earn points through interactive challenges, such as driving below 80 mph or avoiding hard braking for three consecutive days. Users can view their challenge statuses and driving patterns by month. Allstate says the challenges will be updated in future app updates.

The app now offers audible alerts in the iOS version and a text blocking option in the Android version.

Allstate customers in 47 states are eligible for savings and rewards through the telematics program. Initially established in 2010, the Drivewise network is expected to approach more than one million users by the end of 2015, according to the insurer. Drivers in New York are not eligible.

The data Allstate collects from its app users may do more than help Allstate offer discounts, analyze risk and price its insurance. Allstate Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Tom Wilson has suggested the insurer may be interested in selling some of the driving data in the future to advertisers who would benefit from knowing where and when people travel.

“Could we, should we sell this information we get from people driving around to various people and capture some additional profit source and perhaps give a better value proposition to our customers?” asked Wilson at a conference in May. “It’s a long- term game.”

Related:

• Usage-Based Auto Insurance on Road to Becoming Standard Offering
• Usage-Based Insurance Overcoming Privacy Concerns, Gaining TractionAuto Claims Hit
• Allstate’s Q2 Results
• Allstate Sees Profit in Selling Customer Driving Data
• Firms Interested in Driver Data Collected by Auto Insurers