Spy-in-the car boxes for young drivers slash accidents by a fifth and may save 40% on insurance after a year

By STEPHEN WOMACK

PUBLISHED: 15:31 EST, 31 March 2012 | UPDATED: 05:24 EST, 1 April 2012

Read more: http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-2123201/Monitoring-habits-young-drivers-reduces-accidents-fifth-insurer-analysis-found.html#ixzz1qoBuGoOa

Fitting an insurance ‘spy in the car’ to monitor how youngsters drive can cut accidents by one fifth, potentially saving hundreds from death or serious injury. And it should mean that getting cover will be much easier. 

This is the conclusion of Co-operative Insurance, which has analysed the performance of 15,000 customers who have signed up to a policy that includes the fitting of its Smartbox. 

They were found to be 20 per cent less likely to be involved in an accident than those without one. Crashes were generally less serious, with damage and injury costs almost one third lower.

Grant Mitchell, head of motor insurance at the  Co-op, says: ‘It is still early days and some of those who join will be safer drivers anyway, but there are signs of customers showing gradual improvement in the way they drive.’

Co-operative will this week publish more details of its research. Its findings are likely to give a boost to those who argue that fitting satellite trackers to cars is the best way to combat the astronomical costs of cover for young drivers.

Co-operative has been offering its Smartbox cover for a year. The black box monitors braking and acceleration, cornering and speed. It also tracks when a car is used, as most accidents involving young drivers are late at night.

Lynx Telematics currently offers the most comprehensive and advanced technology in the new "Teen Driver" market with it's product LynxSafe.

Parents can monitor their teens driving behavior with urgent alerts regarding speeding, seat belt usage, excessive RPM's, hard braking, and unauthorized vehicle use.

LynxSafe also has the ability to provide real time diagnostic feedback on vehicle health as well as the ability to disable texting and driving.

For more information on how the LynxSafe product can help develop teen safe driving habits, contact Vincent Rush with Lynx Telematics at (513) 702-0495 or at vrush@lynxtelematics.com

The Core of Lynx Telematics and Auto Dealerships

With innovative and easy-to-use services, Lynx Telematics, Inc. connects you to what you need, whether it's a coffee shop in Cincinnati, an ambulance in the middle of nowhere or the location of a loved one. As an OEM we serve our customers by offering a comprehensive suite of services to consumers, auto dealers, and fleet managers. We are also able to tailor our offerings to the distinctive needs of our partners and personalize the connected experience for customers

Lynx Telematics aggregates best in class wireless services into robust and adaptable solutions that can be tailored to any platform. Our solutions are built around the next generation architecture, which is an open telematics platform allowing for inter-connectivity between multiple content providers, call centers and hardware platforms. Our solutions employ innovative, scalable technology developed for the future and delivered today. We offer a comprehensive portfolio of proprietary connectivity solutions, LynxSafe for individual end users and Lynx Telematics for fleet based transportation and sales based companies.

The connected solutions within the Lynx Telematics products revolve around five service categories: Safety and Security, Navigation, Convenience, Infotainment and Diagnostics. All customers will have access to a customized Web portal where they can view diagnostic reports, download directions to the vehicle or even unlock the car’s doors.

At the core of the LynxSafe solution lays enhanced safety and security features, including critical services such as Automatic Crash Notification, Emergency Calling, Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance and Roadside Assistance. Through our Emergency Call Relay Center, we utilize certified emergency response specialists that are APCO - and NENA-certified and have direct public safety experience as firefighters, EMTs or police officers. The ECRC uses the most accurate and up-to-date Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) location data, and customer calls are prioritized within the 9-1-1 system at a high level.

Services Include:
• Automatic Collision Notification
• SOS/Emergency Calling
• Safe Ride
• Roadside Assistance
• Stolen Vehicle Tracking
• Automatic Alarm Notification
• Emergency/Crisis Management

The Convenience solution is designed to provide customers with an enhanced ownership experience and assistance with vehicle interaction.

The LynxSafe telematics diagnostics solution allows customers to proactively manage the maintenance of their vehicles, saving time and money. Services include communications regarding the vehicle’s systems status, maintenance reminders, recall notifications and user maintenance scheduling with dealers. In addition, Lynx Telematics is always working with regulators to develop remote emissions programs, which continuously monitor emissions metrics and notify the customer if the vehicle is not compliant, improving not only the “health” of the vehicle but also the health of the overall environment by preventing the emissions of harmful greenhouse gases.

Services Include:
• Automatic Maintenance Reminder
• Recall Notification
• Remote Emissions Monitoring
• Interactive User Manual
• Diagnostic Email
• OEM Quality Data/Error Code Monitoring


What separates Lynx Telematics, located in Cincinnati, Ohio is the fact that, we don’t just sell you a solution…we actually teach you how to sell the solution through your auto dealerships F&I department or as an over the counter product through a specialty retailer.

With nearly 20 years of working with Auto Dealerships across the United States as a world class sales organization, we can help you achieve maximum profitability with a product that very few dealerships currently provide, yet 84% of your customers are asking for. (According to an independent survey by Accenture)

For more information or to arrange a web demonstration, please contactVincent Rush, Business Development Manager for Lynx Telematics at 513-965-6318

Telematics: Privacy....Issue or Perception?

We Don't Have a Privacy Issue Today.....We Have a Privacy PERCEPTION!

In the public dialogue about mobile privacy concerns, I’ve yet to hear a plea to turn back the clock to when mobile apps were supported by subscription fees.

Surprisingly, many consumers don’t understand the "pact with the devil" that free services come with a loss of privacy. With the exception of enterprise offerings, subscription fees have shrunk or disappeared for most location-based services. At the Institute for Communication Technology Management at the University of Southern California, Allison Cera of Lucent-Alcatel talked about the intersection of technology and identity. More than half of the people in her study felt they shouldn’t have to provide information about themselves just to get the most out of online services. Among the most connected technology users, the expectation of privacy was lower.

As companies rework privacy agreements, it’s interesting that Cera’s research indicates people prefer a simpler privacy policy that is easier to understand, over one that provides more comprehensive protection. In addition to simplicity, people prefer uniformity. Almost 90 percent want to see Internet and mobile service providers, social networking sites, and search engines all governed by the same laws and regulations regarding the collecting, analyzing, and sharing of online data.

Google knows all? Google has experienced heat from lawmakers and consumers over its efforts to consolidate user privacy standards and share data among its offerings. Google announced plans to connect user data across desktop and mobile services including Google+, Gmail and YouTube. “Our new privacy policy makes clear that, if you're signed in, we may combine information you've provided from one service with information from other services," blogged Alma Whitten of Google. "In short, we'll treat you as a single user across all our products, which will mean a simpler, more intuitive Google experience."

You know where I’ve been. Would consumers exchange transparency into whereabouts and driving behavior for a cheaper insurance premium? GPS and Telematics companies are providing the technology behind a new insurance product, which bases premiums on driving behavior. TomTom for example,  has teamed up with insurance broker Motaquote for the launch of Fair Pay Insurance, a product that rewards “good” drivers with lower premiums. Drivers who sign up for Fair Pay receive a TomTom navigation device. They will also have a LINK tracking unit fitted in their vehicles, allowing driver behavior and habits to be monitored by the insurer. This information can also be viewed by the policy-holder in their driver dashboard.February 15, 2012 By: Janice Partyka of GPS World and Wireless Pulse.

Lynx Telematics and LynxSafe
One of  the questions that I am asked by General Managers and dealer Principles of  Auto Dealerships about the  marketing of a Telematics device to the general consumer is, "How do we overcome the privacy issue?"

First of all, let me say that in this country, we do not have a "Privacy Issue", but rather a "Privacy Perception".

Today, our kids post half naked pictures of themselves online on social media sites such as Facebook and voice their ideas, opinions, vacation plans and location updates in "real-time", informing their "Friends" and "Friends of Friends" every aspect of their lives and relationships. 

Facebook in turn, harvests this information and uses it as their "Product" to lure advertisers. 

I see parents in my "Friend Circle", routinely "Checking In" when they attend movies, restaurants, or vacation spots, in effect notifying the world of Facebook, that THEY ARE NOT HOME AND THEIR HOME AND ALL THEIR VALUABLES....ARE UNOCCUPIED!!!!!! 

If you have a "Rewards" card from a gas station or the popular Kroger Plus card, you are providing marketers with valuable information about your likes and dislikes and where you spend your money. 

I recently changed my dietary habits and have lost nearly 30 lbs since January 1st. As a result, Krogers has started sending me coupons for all those products that I used to routinely buy at their store.

Granted, their are still people like my Mother out their that will not actually write a check and go to such great lengths to hide from "Big Brother" that she cuts the strips out of her large bills, because she thinks that the anti-theft devices at the stores entrances are actually reading the amount of cash she has in her purse.

But for the most part, we talk a good game about protecting our privacy but out actions rarely line up with our paranoia.

With our Lynx Telematics product for auto dealerships and LynxSafe for parents of Teen Drivers and elderly drivers, the only people that have access to the information such as location, excessive speeds, driving without a seat belt, texting and driving, mechanical failure and accident notifications are parents and loved ones who the purchaser of the product grants permissions to. 

As the purchaser of a new automobile from a dealership, a new owner can protect the life and well being of their investment with a permanent connection to the dealerships service department.

The owner of the vehicle, sets up their preferred communication method via email, phone call or direct mail, and the service department send notifications to the customer at the first symptoms of mechanical malfunction or notifies of when an oil change is necessary.

The whole idea is to catch and treat the symptoms, before they require major and costly repairs. The consumer can get the maximum ROI in their investment and the dealership, through their service department, can create a unique value added service that can lead to future purchases while maximizing revenue for their service department.  

For more information, contact Vincent Rush of Lynx Telematics at (866) 314-0461 

 For more information on how Lynx Telematics, an OEM located in Cincinnati, Ohio can help your company crack down on cargo theft or custom design a solution to meet your fleet management needs, contact Vincent Rush at (866) 314-0461

 

LynxTelematics is an OEM that controls design, engineering, firmware, software development, IT support and manufacturing processes of our product, allowing us to produce the highest quality product in our industry, while offering our customers competitive pricing.

As your partner, we provide ongoing training and support to insure that the product is properly sold to the end user, maximizing the re-sellers profitability.

As one of the pioneers in telematics technologies, Lynx Telematics provides our clients with powerful end-to-end vehicle telematics tools. Our technology offers a real solution that delivers safety, saves money and provides an unprecedented level of peace of mind to our customers. 

Our product, LynxSafe, is the newest and most advanced in-vehicle communication system currently on the market. It combines GPS/satellite and GSM cellular technology to provide users and family members with immediate access to real-time information delivered directly via any internet enabled device including I Phone and Android smart phones.

All of our devices benefit from the innovation of U-Blox technology and a 3D Accelerometer, providing the industry’s most accurate pin point locating technology to within a 3 ft. radius.

Telematics V2V Predicted to $65 Billion by 2015

With products and services becoming standard for a number of manufacturers, Vehicle-to-Vehicle and V2X telematic solutions are gaining in popularity.
So much so, Telematics Update stated, “The global market for intelligent transportation systems is predicted to grow to nearly $65.4 billion through 2015.”

Reduction in crashes, fatalities, injuries and property damage has to outweigh the economic cost. There’s also a cost to the consumer, because auto makers just pass on the additional cost to the people who buy the vehicles.” – Alrik L. Svenson

With more innovative technology, new laws being put into place, and a growing number of drivers on the road everyday, new solutions to driver safety are being developed.
V2V and V2X technology, along with a GPS tracking device will prove beneficial to fleet management and adding to driver accountability and safety.

By Laura Turner on January 30, 2012 in Telematics

Lynx Telematics is an OEM that controls design, engineering, firmware, software development, IT support and manufacturing processes of our product, allowing us to produce the highest quality product in our industry, while offering our customers competitive pricing.

As your partner, we provide ongoing training and support to insure that the product is properly sold to the end user, maximizing the re-sellers profitability.

As one of the pioneers in telematics technologies, Lynx Telematics provides our clients with powerful end-to-end vehicle telematics tools. Our technology offers a real solution that delivers safety, saves money and provides an unprecedented level of peace of mind to our customers. 

 

Our product, Lynxsafe, is the newest and most advanced in-vehicle communication system currently on the market. It combines GPS/satellite and GSM cellular technology to provide users and family members with immediate access to real-time information delivered directly via any internet enabled device including I Phone and Android smart phones.

All of our devices benefit from the innovation of U-Blox technology and a 3D Accelerometer, providing the industry’s most accurate pin point locating technology to within a 3 ft. radius.

Vincent Rush, Lynx Telematics, 

Cincinnati, Ohio

(866)-314-0461

Telematics Advantages for Auto Dealerships

If you're a Dealer Principle or a GM for a dealership, let me ask you a simple question, what if you had the opportunity to add another $400-500 to every copy with a new F&I profit center?

What if you could put OnStar on every vehicle you sell, 1996 or newer, that 84% of your market wants, according to a survey conducted by Accenture, and it is even more robust than Onstar and costs less?

What would you do with a product like that?

Think about this, if GM has sold more than 6 million OnStar units on select vehicles, what could YOU do with a product that was LESS expensive MORE robust, takes less than 10 seconds to install and increased your profitability in Sales, Service, F&I and Parts?

Could you gain a competitive edge by differentiating yourself from your competition by:

*Providing you with a unique asset management tool to monitor your inventory from anywhere at anytime.

*Test drive notification: Help boost your closing percentage by immediately notifying managers when a test drive leaves and returns to the lot.

*Receiving custom notifications as your customers need servicing, before your competition is working on their car.

*Insurance discounts: Insurance companies have expressed willingness to offer rate reductions on policies to auto dealers who use out product on their inventory.

*Improved Service Department Marketing: Receive custom reports when one of your customers needs service. Large direct mail campaigns for your service department are eliminated allowing for better target marketing, which Dan Walker expressed to me is a need.

And in many cases, with floor planning assistance, commercial lenders are willing are willing to advance the product on the flooring line, thereby making front loading affordable.

What Lynx can provide to your customers: (Via their smart phones or internet device)

*Impact notification: Our emergency call center is immediately notified when the vehicle is in a collision offering peace of mind.

*Anti Theft/Early Theft Detection: Know when their car has been started and track its  current location in real time.

*Road-Side Assistance: Battery service, out of gas, flat tire, towing, lock-out service are all part of the package. With our GPS, the service truck already knows the location.

*Low Battery Notification: Text/Email alerts when the car battery goes below 12 volts.

*Real Time Diagnostics: Whether it’s an oil change, engine problem, or regular mileage check up, they will know what their car needs and when it needs it.

*On-Demand Locates: Know where there car is anytime day or night using any internet enabled device.

*Monitoring Teen Drivers: Receive text/email alerts with pin point location to their smart phone when their teen is speeding, coming to abrupt stops, displaying excessive RPM’s, driving without a seat belt or has been in an accident.

*Keep Tabs on Elderly Drivers: Receive notification when elderly loved ones have reached their destination, allowing them to remain independent longer.

*Safety Zones/Geo Fence: Create a virtual boundary around a selected location and be notified when the vehicle enters or exits these locations via text or email.

*Concierge Service: Turn-by-turn directions, locate restaurants and hotels, make reservations and locate business.

*Lifetime Replacement Guarantee: We are an OEM and stand behind the product with free replacement.

There are many other benefits of the Lynx Telematics product, including training your sales teams how to sell the product. At Lynx Telematics, we will be more than happy to set up a meeting with you to demonstrate the product and explain both the financial benefits for sales, F&I and service.

Posted by Vincent Rush of Lynx Telematics in Cincinnati, Ohio (866) 314-0461

Lynx Telematics is an OEM that controls design, engineering, firmware, software development, IT support and manufacturing processes of our product, allowing us to produce the highest quality product in our industry, while offering our customers competitive pricing.

As your partner, we provide ongoing training and support to insure that the product is properly sold to the end user, maximizing the re-sellers profitability.

As one of the pioneers in telematics technologies, Lynx Telematics provides our clients with powerful end-to-end vehicle telematics tools. Our technology offers a real solution that delivers safety, saves money and provides an unprecedented level of peace of mind to our customers. 

 

Our product, Lynxsafe, is the newest and most advanced in-vehicle communication system currently on the market. It combines GPS/satellite and GSM cellular technology to provide users and family members with immediate access to real-time information delivered directly via any internet enabled device including I Phone and Android smart phones.

All of our devices benefit from the innovation of U-Blox technology and a 3D Accelerometer, providing the industry’s most accurate pin point locating technology to within a 3 ft. radius.

Vincent Rush, Lynx Telematics, 

Cincinnati, Ohio

(866)-314-0461