My Driving Discount™: The Smart Road to Savings!

My Driving Discount™: The Smart Road to Savings!

by | Nov 14, 2014 | Featured, Research Centre

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We’re pleased to announce the launch of the my Driving Discount™ program:  the smart road to savings!

Some people have better driving habits than others. The program rewards good driving behaviour.

 

The my Driving Discount™ program is available exclusively to clients insured through Intact Insurance.

With my Driving Discount™ , you could save up to 25%* off your car insurance premium. Enrolling is quick and easy and you’ll automatically get a 5% … 10% discount when you sign up.

How Does it Work?

Contact us online or call our office at 416-255-3728 to sign up. Once enrolled, you will receive your device in the mail.

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Simply plug this into your car and it will record your driving behaviour including:

  • braking,
  • acceleration
  • and time of day you drive.

The reported data is used to calculate a personalized discount of up to 25% off your car insurance premium. Once you complete your initial assessment period (minimum of 180 days) your earned discount will be applied to your policy at your next renewal.  But that’s not all ….

You’ll also be able to view your driving data and your potential discount on your own personalized website.

Key Benefits:

  • Save immediately! Get a 5% … 10% enrollment discount just for signing up
  • Earn up to 25% discount at renewal (minimum of 180 days monitoring required)
  • Customized car insurance premium that reflects the way you drive
  • Nothing to lose, your premium won’t increase based on the data collected
  • Personalized website that shows your driving behaviour and discounts
  •  Small, easy to install device

The my Driving Discount™ program is available exclusively to clients insured through Intact Insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What factors are taken into consideration when calculating my potential discount?

my Driving Discount™ could reward you with a personalized discount by assessing the time of day that you drive, along with your acceleration and braking, based on the kilometres driven.

braking Hard Braking:  Hard braking increases the risk of being involved in an accident. The program therefore calculates the ratio of hard braking events on total km driven to determine your personalized hard braking factor. A hard braking event is defined as any decrease of speed of 12 km/h or more in less than 1 second.

acceleratingRapid Accelerating: Rapid accelerations increase the risk of being involved in an accident. The program therefore calculates the ratio of rapid acceleration events on total km driven to determine your personalized rapid acceleration factor. A rapid acceleration is defined as any increase of speed of 12 km/h or more in less than 1 second.

timeOfDayTime of day:  Driving at night (between 12 a.m. and 4 a.m.) increases the risk of being involved in an accident. Many elements, such as reduced visibility and fatigue, make this time of day the riskiest. The program therefore evaluates the time of day that you’re driving to determine your personalized high-risk period factor. The less you drive at night the more you could save.

2. When will I receive my personalized discount?

If you are eligible for a personalized discount, your premium will be adjusted at renewal upon the completion of your assessment period.

3. How long is my assessment period?

Your initial assessment period is for a minimum of 180 days from when you install your device and start driving.

If the assessment period cannot be completed prior to when your renewal is issued (not the effective date of the renewal) , then the renewal will be issued with your 5% enrollment discount. The personalized discount will be applied upon the subsequent renewal.

4. How long will my personalized discount apply?

Your personalized discount is not static and is subject to change upon each successive renewal of your policy. All successive discounts will be calculated based on the previous 12 months of data collected to assess your driving habits.

5. If I have to brake hard to avoid an accident, will that reduce my discount?

We look for the frequency of events and regular driving behaviours. We know that even the best drivers have to brake hard occasionally. So it doesn’t necessarily mean that if you brake hard once, your discount will be reduced.

The most important thing is your safety. If you need to hard brake to avoid an accident, make sure you do!

6. Can my premium go up because of my driving habits?

No, your premium will not increase as a result of the data used to calculate your discount (time of day you drive, braking, and acceleration). For complete details on how your data is used, please refer to the Terms of Use.

7. What happens if I have an accident while using the my Driving Discount device?

Accidents are not taken into consideration when calculating your potential personalized discount.

However, this may nevertheless have an impact on your insurance premium as per our standard practices If you have questions about your policy or premium, please contact us.

8. How is my driving data used?

The collected driving data will be used to determine your eligibility and potential discount following your assessment period.

We may also analyze the collected driving data to ensure consistency with your policy, and you may be contacted by your broker to see if you wish to discuss your policy further.

9. Can I change my mind and opt out of the program? If so, will my insurance policy be cancelled?

Yes. You may opt out at any time.

Your insurance policy will NOT be cancelled even if you opt out of my Driving Discount program. The program is optional. Please contact us if you have any questions.

10. Can multiple principal drivers on the same policy enrol in the my Driving Discount program?

Yes. Every principal driver on the policy can enrol if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Sign Up for my Driving Discount™ and start saving today

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[hr]*Certain conditions, limitations and exclusions apply.
® Intact Insurance small straight lines design is a registered trademark of Intact Financial Corporation.
TM my Driving Discount is a trademark of Intact Insurance Company. © 2014, Intact Insurance Company. All rights reserved.
Flood or Sewer Back-Up?

Flood or Sewer Back-Up?

by | Sep 28, 2014 | Research Centre

A FLOOD CAN BE CAUSED BY SPRING RUN-OFF, MELTING SNOW, AN OVER-FLOWING RIVER, LAKE OR STREAM, OR EVEN A SWIMMING POOL.  EXCESSIVE GROUNDWATER BUILD-UP THAT ENTERS YOUR HOME VIA LEAKS OR SEEPAGE IS ALSO CONSIDERED FLOODING. WHETHER AIDED BY WIND OR AN ACT OF GOD, DAMAGE TO YOUR HOME CAUSED BY A FLOOD IS NOT COVERED.

Most homeowners’ policies will cover other types of water damage provided the cause is “sudden and accidental” and is not caused by freezing. This could include the sudden failure of a heating or air conditioning system, an overflowing washing machine, a blocked toilet, accidental sprinkler going off or a burst water pipe.

The key words are ‘sudden‘ and ‘accidental‘ water entering the home through leaks, cracks and seepage are considered to be the responsibility of the owner and should be prevented through routine home maintenance.

Sewer back-ups occur when massive volumes of water overload a drainage system. Once the wastewater rises above your basement drains, a back-flow into your home results. Sewer back-ups can introduce black mould, harmful bacteria and sewage waste into your home, creating health risks and extensive damage.

Depending on where your home is located, sewer back-up insurance may be available to help cover losses or damage caused by water that has accidentally escaped from a sewer, drain, storm drain, sump, septic tank, eaves trough or downspout. Call us to find out more.

5 STEPS TO PREVENT OR LIMIT WATER DAMAGE TO YOUR HOME

1. If your area is susceptible to sewer back-up, make sure your home has a back-flow valve and plugs for drains, toilets and other sewer connectors installed.

2. If you don’t have a sump pump, install one. If you do have a sump pump, test it to make sure it is working.

3. Store items in plastic containers or on shelving at least 12″ off the basement floor.

4. Keep eavestroughs and downspouts clear of debris and make sure water flow is directed away from the foundation.

5. Finally, as simple as it sounds, make sure your lot is properly graded to direct run-off away from the foundation and entrance ways.

 

Cell Phones and Technology Gadgets

Cell Phones and Technology Gadgets

by | Sep 28, 2014 | Research Centre

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Smart Drivers Just Drive!

When driving a vehicle, road safety is your first responsibility! It is important to focus on driving and reduce driver distractions.

DRIVER DISTRACTION IS A MAJOR CAUSE OF COLLISIONS

Using either a hand-held or hands-free cell phone while driving makes it four times more likely that you will be involved in a collision. In fact, using a cell phone affects what a driver sees, reduces reaction time and changes the way drivers react—especially in heavy traffic.

Driving for work and using a phone? Motor vehicle collisions are the greatest single cause of traumatic workplace deaths in Ontario.

Remember, smart drivers just drive! In three seconds, driving sixty kilometres per hour, you travel fifty metres—that’s the distance across half a football field. A momentary distraction can result in death or serious injury.

THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME TIPS TO HELP REDUCE DRIVER DISTRACTION:

  • Plan for safe locations to stop (for example, rest stops or commuter lots) to make and receive calls.
  • Before you start driving turn off your cellular phone.
  • Allow calls to go to voice mail or allow a passenger to make and receive calls.
  • Consider recording an outgoing voice message that lets callers know you are on the road

IN EMERGENCIES:

Having a cellular phone in your vehicle can be an important safety aid for drivers and passengers—whether for personal safety or for reporting a crime or a collision. If you must use your cell phone in an emergency—a situation that could result in a danger to your safety or the safety of others if it is not corrected without delay—consider the following tips:

  • Pull over safely if conditions allow.
  • Keep emergency calls as brief as possible.
  • Alert the caller that you are on the road.

End conversations immediately if driving conditions or situations become hazardous (for example, inclement weather, roadway construction, high-speed or high-volume traffic).

Remember, focus on the task of driving, with your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. Reduce the distractions that may cause you to overreact or respond too slowly to a situation.

Buying a Car in the US?

Buying a Car in the US?

by | Aug 30, 2014 | Research Centre

MANY CANADIANS ARE HEADING SOUTH TO BUY THEIR NEXT VEHICLE. A STRONG CANADIAN DOLLAR AND LOWER US PRICES MAKE SUCH PURCHASES A TEMPTING PROPOSITION.

Cross-border car buyers often overlook the process to get proper insurance. Many assume it is no different then if they had purchased the vehicle in Ontario.

Unfortunately this is not the case.

To insure a vehicle in Ontario, it must first be registered with the Ministry of Transportation. When you buy a vehicle within the Province, this is usually already done. When you purchase a vehicle in the US, the process is more involved.

Unless you are a professional, you cannot register a vehicle in Ontario until it has been delivered, certified and updated to meet Ontario Standards. This process often involves moving the vehicle between a variety of places. This cannot happen without the vehicle being insured. But remember, without registration, you can’t get insurance.

Even though your automobile policy provides automatic coverage for any newly acquired vehicle for up to 14 days, some terms, conditions and coverage limitations could leave you vulnerable to a loss.

Given all that needs to be done to get a U.S. vehicle on the road in Ontario, 14 days is likely not enough time. Since there is no standard policy extending coverage beyond the 14-day allowance – all carriers deal with this issue differently – this provision should not be used if it can be avoided.

Your best option is to contact us before making a U.S. vehicle purchase. In most cases, we will make sure you are adequately covered before taking delivery of the vehicle. As insurance experts, we’ll take the time to explain your options and ensure the appropriate amendments are made to your policy.

10 Questions Homebuyers Should Ask Before Buying a Home

10 Questions Homebuyers Should Ask Before Buying a Home

by | Aug 30, 2014 | Research Centre

Protect Yourself And Your Family With Home Insurance

Buying a home is often the purchase of a lifetime. Our friends at Chubb Insurance have put together a checklist to help you ask the right questions before starting a new life in a new home.

1. Is the property properly graded?

Ground that does not allow water to drain away from the foundation during a heavy rain storm or after a big snowstorm may result in the water seeping down along the foundation and ultimately into the basement.

Also, if the property is lower than the neighbour’s, be sure any water runoff from surrounding properties is diverted away from the foundation. A properly working exterior drain system is important for all properties where the ground slopes toward the foundation.

2. Is the basement dry?

Check the basement area for dryness. Stains on walls are one indicator, but the existence of a sump pump is a sign that ground water is a possibility. Ask if the pump is in working order or require a demonstration by having water poured into the pit to ensure the pump is functional.

3. Are the gutters and downspouts clear of debris?

If the home is in a wooded area, gutters can become clogged with fallen leaves and debris. This may cause rainwater to spill over, which results in water entering the home either through the roof or basement. It may also damage exterior wood siding.

Check to see that gutters and downspouts are clear, especially in the fall.

4. Are there stains on the ceiling, walls and floors?

Water stains on ceilings, floors or walls are a clear sign of water problems. Look specifically in corners on the upper floors for signs of roof leaks.

Ceiling damage on the lower level is a sign of plumbing or fixture leaks on upper levels. Water stains can easily be covered with paint, so bring a bright flashlight with you and shine it on walls, floors and ceilings to look for signs of imperfections and staining.

Click here to view all 10 tips.