According to a report featuring data provided by 24 Indian states, road accidents, fatalities, and deaths have reduced by around 62% in 2020 as compared to 2019. The decline was largely because of the nationwide lockdown. While this was an extreme scenario, it also highlights how remote working approaches might help in lowering car accident claims under motor insurance.
Remote work keeps a significant number of vehicles off the street, thus reducing traffic and road accidents. Take the example of Sharvari Mahajan, an IT Professional from Bangalore who spent more than an hour navigating through the busy streets of Bangalore to reach her office.
In the last year, she had two road accidents because of the heavy traffic and bumper-to-bumper driving. While the accidents were minor, her car had to spend time in the garage. When her company adopted remote work, Sharvari was the happiest. She no longer had to endure the rush hours and the hassle of car accident/damage claims.
Sharvari’s story isn’t unique. Remote and hybrid work has a direct link with the number of claims under car insurance in India. Let’s decode the reasons behind this in detail.
Let’s explore how remote work has led to a decline in accident-related claims.
Road accidents and related fatalities are directly linked to higher road exposure. The more vehicles on the street, the higher the chances of accidents and claims. This is not only because of road congestion and traffic, but also because of the way many drive during rush hours to reach their office or college on time. With a decline in exposure to risk, there has been a notable decrease in road accident claims.
Remote work doesn’t translate into the elimination of driving completely. Rather, a shift in driving patterns. How? Remote workers are no longer driving during rush hours. Even for needs like casual outings or going to the gym, they prefer driving during off-peak hours. This shift has reduced road accidents, as evidenced by lower car accident claims.
Witnessing a significant decline in road accidents due to remote work, insurance companies are also shifting their approach. Here’s how you can benefit from this:
Unlike traditional methods, motor insurance companies now evaluate risk factors to determine the insurance premium. With lower exposure to risk, you may benefit significantly from lower premiums. This adjustment in the pricing model can be seen as a step toward aligning motor insurance plans with changing mobility patterns.
The Pay-As-You-Drive feature under motor insurance is one of the most interesting outcomes of lower car accident claims. If you are a remote worker, this feature can help you save substantially compared to the traditional flat rate premium.
What is Pay-As-You-Drive? It is a car insurance rider that you can add to your existing motor insurance policy. Here, your premium is directly linked to the actual distance ( pre-determined slabs) your vehicle has travelled.
As a remote worker, you enjoy lower premiums and additional benefits, including No Claim Bonus and quicker claim settlements due to reduced overall claims. Insurance companies may also offer bundled perks like roadside assistance and renewal discounts¯.
Looking for more such benefits under motor insurance? Trust Jio Insurance Broking to bring the best car insurance policies for your needs.
The benefits of remote work go beyond insurance. Here’s how:
Traffic congestion has improved across major Indian cities, which has eventually reduced the risk of road accidents for vehicle owners, pedestrians, cyclists, etc.
Interestingly, remote work is also considered an environmentally friendly approach. With fewer vehicles on the road, there is a direct cut in carbon emissions. Such changes can benefit extremely polluted cities like Delhi or Bangalore.
By reducing long daily commutes, remote workers can now enjoy a better work-life balance.
Remote work has helped reduce the overall road congestion and accidents. With fewer cars on the road, the chances of road accidents and related fatalities have also declined. Result? A significant decline in car accident claims under motor insurance. Policyholders can benefit from such declines in claims by enjoying benefits such as affordable insurance premiums, faster claim settlement, no claim bonus, and a pay-as-you-drive feature.
If you're seeking motor insurance with exciting benefits for remote workers, Jio Insurance Broking is the ideal platform to explore, compare, and purchase the best car insurance plan.