Mercury Insurance has announced that it has made its usage-based insurance app, MercuryGO, available to drivers in New Jersey. The app provides skill scores that give drivers real-time feedback on their driving behavior.
Mercury policyholders who enroll to use the app immediately receive a 5% participation discount, and teen drivers receive a discount of up to 10%. When MercuryGO customers renew their policies, they can receive a discount of up to 40% in addition to their participation discount, depending on their driving scores.
“The benefit of MercuryGO is twofold – the app will help drivers be safer, which contributes to the ultimate goal of reducing fatalities and serious injuries,” said Mike Dawdy, director of product management at Mercury Insurance. “It will also help drivers save a lot of money on their premiums.”
There were 590 motor vehicle fatalities in New Jersey in 2020, according to the New Jersey State Police. Speeding, phone use, hard braking and following too closely were common causes of auto crashes.
The MercuryGO app generates a driving skill score based on categories closely correlated with car accidents, including speeding, hard braking and distracted driving.
Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT), Mercury’s technology partner, is the world’s largest smartphone telematics provider. CMT pioneered usage-based insurance with smartphones, the measurement of phone distraction, behavior-based insurance and real-time crash alerts with roadside assistance.
“Mercury Insurance is utilizing the DriveWell platform to help drivers reduce distracted driving, speeding and hard braking by keeping them engaged and providing timely feedback,” said Ryan McMahon, vice president of insurance and government affairs at CMT. “MercuryGO will help make New Jersey roads safer and has the potential to reduce the number of car collisions, injuries and fatalities.”
“Most car crashes can be avoided, and MercuryGO is a helpful tool that will keep Garden State drivers safe,” Dawdy said.
