Drivers across the nation have been particularly price-conscious in the past year. With the pandemic and new work-from-home opportunities keeping people off the roads, pay-as-you go insurance plans have become more enticing.
Ford has been diligent in partnering with several car insurance carriers to streamline driver data and lower auto insurance rates for their drivers, even eliminating the need for hardware or plug-in devices. This opens up the accessibility for insurance carriers to pull driver data directly from select 2020 Ford vehicles, simplifying analyses and easing the process of filing claims via phone app.
Both Ford Insure and Lincoln Motor Company Insure are powered by Nationwide, offering new vehicle owners a secure and direct way to get insurance premiums within minutes. Policyholders can also choose to enroll in Nationwide’s SmartRide®, which shares vehicle connectivity information via its embedded modem with Nationwide for six months. Customers also have access to Nationwide’s standard Accident Forgiveness option, as well as crash repairs using genuine Ford parts. This program is currently available to 39 states and select 2020 Ford models.
Liberty Mutual announced its collaboration with Ford to expand the insurer’s Mobility initiative. By downloading FordPass Connect, Ford drivers can track their driving behavior and opt in for customized insurance pricing with Liberty Mutual. Nearly all 2020 Ford connected vehicles are eligible.
As of March, 2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicle owners are able to connect with Allstate’s Milewise program in 14 states.
Eligible connected 2020 Model Year and newer Ford and Lincoln vehicle owners can opt in to StateFarm’s Drive Safe & Save program. As of August, this UBI program is not available in California, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Ford is Metromile’s first manufacturer partnership, which will allow eligible Ford owners to opt into Metromile’s UBI program and the Metromile’s claims assistant AVA. By using AI to verify claims accurately and on sight, AVA will serve as a “virtual witness” and guides drivers through filing a claim. AVA removes any ambiguity by collecting damage photos, and is capable of locating repair shops or scheduling rental cars for a smoother claim experience. This partnership isn’t available yet but drivers are viable to join a waitlist.
Ford has joined the Verisk Data Exchange as of October. Owners of eligible Ford and Lincoln vehicles have access to insurance programs who are also connected to the exchange, (including Root and Nationwide). Insurers can customize what driver behavior data to pull and utilize Ford data with the Verisk Driving Score™ to determine premiums.
As of December, Ford states that there are several more insurance carriers under contract, including two of the largest insurance companies in the country. Other car manufacturers have been following suit, with GM and State Farm partnering up and launching OnStar. Honda has also announced a partnership with Verisk in August and launched Honda Now Live.