SmartDrive and Zurich Seek to Revolutionize Fleet Risk Management With Zurich Fleet Intelligence
Zurich to offer SmartDrive's telematics technology to fleet owners and managers
SAN DIEGO, Calif., Jan. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- SmartDrive, the leading provider of video-based driver safety and fleet management systems, today announced it is working with Zurich, one of the largest fleet insurers in North America and globally, on its new, integrated fleet risk management solution called Zurich Fleet Intelligence (ZFI). SmartDrive will offer its telematics devices to Zurich's insurance customers seeking ways to minimize their fleet's operating costs and reduce crashes, all while keeping their vehicles up-and-running and drivers safe.
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"By bringing together key information from the vehicle computer, driving telematics, and sophisticated video analytics, SmartDrive provides the most comprehensive risk profiles in the industry to quickly and correctly identify the riskiest driving behaviors," said Jason Palmer, SmartDrive President. "This leads to dramatic savings in collision losses, as demonstrated in a recent case study with Reynolds Catering Supplies(1), with a 61 percent reduction in collision frequency."
ZFI works by combining the raw data from either SmartDrive telematic devices or raw data from other leading vehicle telematic providers with Zurich's extensive analytical tools to turn the data into meaningful insights (see graphics below) that can help fleet managers reduce their fleet operating costs, as well as:
- Optimize vehicle journey planning and deployment;
- Reduce vehicle running costs;
- Achieve increased fuel economy;
- Reduce the occurrence of vehicle crashes through defensive driving training;
- Influence future insurance premiums;
- Improve employees' driving skills and knowledge;
- Reduce stress and fatigue amongst drivers through coaching and development;
- Improve their fleet's impact on the environment.
"By working with leading vehicle telematics providers like SmartDrive, Zurich is able to offer independent advice on the most appropriate package of services to meet our customers' individual needs," said Paul Horgan, chief underwriting officer for Zurich Global Corporate in North America.
Zurich does not receive any fees or commission from these vendors when a customer selects their telematics services. "We are here to help our customers identify their business needs and then help them choose the most appropriate vendor to help them reach their business goals," said Horgan.
To watch a :90 second video showing how ZFI works, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqjSc-T7arY. For more information about ZFI, go to http://www.zurichfleetintelligence.com.
(1) Source: SmartDrive Case Study http://www.smartdrive.net/documents/reynolds_case_study_us.pdf
About SmartDrive
SmartDrive delivers innovative solutions that make it easy for fleet managers to improve driver safety and reduce operating cost. SmartDrive records comprehensive video-based data from the road, then thoroughly reviews and scores critical events and recommends action for fleet managers to quickly respond and deliver sustainable savings - all through an easy-to-use managed service. The company has compiled the world's largest and fastest-growing database - more than 34 million events - of real-time, risky driving incidents. SmartDrive Systems is based in San Diego, CA, and employs approximately 300 people worldwide. For more information, please visit www.smartdrive.net.
About Zurich
Zurich in North America is a part of Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich), an insurance-based financial services provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in North America and Europe as well as in Asia Pacific, Latin America and other markets. Founded in 1872, the Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland and employs approximately 60,000 people serving customers in more than 170 countries, including more than 9,500 employees in North America. Zurich's risk engineering services in the United States are provided by Zurich Services Corporation.
SOURCE SmartDrive
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