Autocar Start includes lessons and telematics rewards from Carrot Insurance

autocar start - insurance times

Zurich is underwriting a scheme for young drivers launched by car magazine Autocar, Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy, smart and Carrot Insurance.

Autocar Start gives the drivers a new smartcar, 40 hours of driving tuition and fully comprehensive insurance.

The first customers will pay a £500 deposit and a fixed monthly fee of £299 for three years.

Carrot rewards safe driving, measured by telematics, with cashback onto a prepaid Mastercard. Its telematics i-box monitors acceleration, braking, swerving and the number and length of journeys made and aggregates the information into three categories – speed, smoothless and usage – to give an overall driving style score. Drivers with the top scores can earn 15% of their premium back on the Mastercard.

“The evidence shows that, unfortumately, young drivers are statistically much more likely to be involved in car accidents – a blend of inexperience and speed. We believe that a combination of structured education and monitoring of driving style is key to helping younger drivers become safer drivers. Initiatives like Autocar Start will not only help younger drivers become safer drivers it should also encourage them to stay insured in the long-term,” said Zurich managing director of personal lines John Dyke.

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