UK insurtech Carrot is facing criticism over its tech and data collection practices - Business Insider

  • 📰 BusinessInsider
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 64 sec. here
  • 3 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 29%
  • Publisher: 51%

United States News News

United States United States Latest News,United States United States Headlines

Insurtech Carrot uses telematics to assess users' driving behavior to reward safe drivers — but it doesn't always work

Tory MP Craig Tracey is questioning whether its tech is "fit for purpose," and has called for the UK's Financial Conduct Authority to investigate the matter — which told the BBC that Carrot had the most complaints relative to the size of the company in H2 2018. Carrot has apologized about the poor experience of some of its users, and maintained that its business model enables it to reduce premiums for the majority of young drivers.

The insurtech leverages smartphone- and blackbox-generated driving data to reward or ding customers accordingly — which can be attractive to younger, "riskier" drivers, in particular. For example, Carrot measures acceleration, braking, swerving, and length of journey with the help of either a blackbox fitted into a user's car, or their iOS or Android apps. For the latter option, Carrot relies on GPS and bluetooth, and requires either a Wi-Fi or data connection.

But more than 20 users have reported issues with the app incorrectly recording data, especially when leveraging smartphone data — and issues like this could damage the smaller insurtech's reputation. Customers reported issues like being recorded as driving while they were actually cycling or on the train, which may have been marked as speeding.

While a number of insurtechs and insurers use telematic devices to offer perks and discounts, it seems that relying on devices connected to cars — rather than smartphones — is a more accurate way to assess driving data. Telematic devices can help insurers offer their members perks in the form of cheaper policies due to more accurate underwriting data, as well as additional perks like discounts to merchants.

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 729. in US

United States United States Latest News, United States United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

UK farmers fear Boris Johnson will abandon UK food standards to Trump - Business InsiderThe UK government says it is willing to discuss lifting the EU ban on chlorine and acid-washed chicken in order to win a trade deal with Trump. More Fake News. It's obvious! With a huge amount of American farmers going out of business Trumps base is shrinking! Getting access to the UK market will help a little and can be spun as a huge win. Johnson on the otherhand won't have many options if he continues on the current path 🤷‍♂️
Source: BusinessInsider - 🏆 729. / 51 Read more »

Brexit: EU set to tell Boris Johnson's UK to ban chlorinated chicken - Business InsiderBoris Johnson is suspected of plotting to abandon UK food standards to win a Brexit trade deal with Trump. 🍿 🍿😁 ...meanwhile I am house'arrested' disconnected from Romania and Moldova...don't put the blame on me...
Source: BusinessInsider - 🏆 729. / 51 Read more »