(Image source: Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies homepage.)

Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies (Boston) has selected IMS (Waterloo, Ontario), a subsidiary of Trak Global Group (Crewe, U.K.), for a new commercial fleet insurance program, TrackMRI (Monitor, React, Improve), according to an IMS announcement.

IMS describes TrackMRI as a safety-focused commercial fleet insurance telematics solution, powered by IMS’ DriveSync connected car and telematics platform, to provide an easy-to-use fleet management portal, device logistics support, data collection, scoring, fleet behavior assessment and program analytics, as well as  hands-on customer support to fleet manager customers. As part of the program, IMS says it is providing easy-to-install sensors to be deployed in Berkshire Hathaway GUARD’s policyholders’ commercial fleet vehicles to gather driver behavior data. The insights gained can be quickly and easily translated into savings in vehicle maintenance and fuel costs for commercial fleet organizations, according to the vendor.

“Our fleet manager customers have limited time for research and system or vendor selection, and yet are flooded by technology solutions that only offer a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach without any real identifiable differentiation,” comments Mike Hynes, VP, Commercial Auto, Berkshire Hathaway GUARD. “Through our relationship with IMS, we are helping fleet managers get the commercial insurance telematics solution they want and need with features and functionality that will have direct improvements on fleet management and driver safety, while helping them potentially save money in the process.”

Even before the pandemic altered driving frequency and behaviors, commercial lines auto insurers were struggling to find new ways of achieving greater profitability, according to the IMS announcement. The vendor says that for more than a decade, the industry has been suffering from a trend toward inadequate rates in a competitive operating environment coupled with increased frequency and severity trends. IMS adds that premium leakage continues to increase for commercial insurers who could directly benefit from increased transparency into information about actual fleet vehicle usage.

Rapidly Improve Safety, Reduce Cost

For a limited time, Berkshire Hathaway GUARD is making TrackMRI available at no-cost to commercial auto policyholders with fleets of three or more vehicles. By taking an educational and behavioral improvement approach, TrackMRI provides fleet managers with the ability to rapidly improve fleet driving safety, reduce costs and improve processes. IMS says that TrackMRI delivers an easier method of managing fleets, opportunity to price fleet premiums appropriately, and improvement of the insurers combined operating ratios in the process.

“The combined ratios across the commercial auto lines industry remains above 100 percent, creating a long-term unprofitable environment,” says Lorie Goodmann, Chief Revenue Officer, IMS. “Our commercial auto insurance telematics solution provides insurers, like Berkshire Hathaway GUARD, with data-driven insights that improve underwriting and overall profitability. In turn, fleet managers get the necessary fleet management tools that positively influence driving behavior. It’s a win-win proposition for all involved.”

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