Spearhead partners with T-Systems

The damage analysis of the vehicles involved after an accident by the motor vehicle insurance company is shortened to only a view minutes. The entire damage process is completely digitalised, from accident notification and damage documentation to damage assessment and repair order preparation. Click on this link and take a look at how Digital Drive from T-Systems and Digital Claim from Spearhead are revolutionizing today's automotive claims management.

• With Digital Drive, motor vehicle claims management is significantly faster.
• Vehicle insurance policies receive attractive services for vehicle owners.
• Partnership with Zurich-based technology InsurTech Spearhead.

After an accident, it can take several days for the motor insurance company to analyse the damage to the vehicles involved. T-Systems and the Zurich-based InsurTech Spearhead are now shortening this time to one minute. This is because the entire damage process is completely digitalized, from accident notification and damage documentation to damage assessment and repair order creation. Digital vehicle claims management for insurance companies is another component of T-Systems' «Digital Drive» Connected Car offering. With the «Digital Drive» retrofit solution, new and used vehicles without integrated Internet access are equipped with networked functions.

In order to digitize the motor vehicle damage process, the policyholder's vehicle is networked via a connector on the diagnostic interface. In the event of a claim, the insurer then immediately receives an analysis via a portal. In addition, the repair costs are determined immediately, and the repair of the vehicle can already be ordered in the next step. The policyholder can use the app to document the accident.

The white label product for motor insurance also includes other value-added services for the motorist: these include real-time information on the condition of the vehicle, such as tank level, vehicle position and messages in the event of vibrations or towing operations. This data can also be used by insurance companies as the basis for so-called "usage-based insurance" tariffs to reward cautious driving.

Swiss insurtech Spearhead as partner

The solution is the result of a new partnership between T-Systems and the Zurich-based technology InsurTech Spearhead, which has been active in the automotive insurance market since 2015. With "Digital Drive", T-Systems is contributing the OBD2 adapter, the connected car services and platform as well as the cloud infrastructure. Spearhead supplies the claims management software, the portal for vehicle insurance and the claims documentation feature for the vehicle owner.

Ingo Hofacker, responsible for the Internet of Things (IoT) business at Deutsche Telekom: "Our product also makes insurance telematics profitable in the mass market. The combination of our Digital Drive connected car service and Spearhead's technology enables us to offer policyholders a retrofit solution with attractive value-added services. At the same time, the insurance opens up additional savings potential in terms of repair and litigation costs following a motor vehicle accident."

Motor vehicle claims management in detail: sensor in the car detects accidents

In order to benefit from networked functions in the vehicle, the vehicle owner must install an adapter for the on-board diagnostic system (OBD) in the car. In the event of an accident, a sensor in the adapter records the forces acting on the vehicle and transmits the data immediately via mobile communications to the secure T-Systems private cloud, where it is analyzed. The responsible clerk automatically receives a message to this effect. Via a web portal, he can see which vehicle parts are highly likely to have been damaged and how much the repair is likely to cost. The vehicle owner can then use an app to enter the accident circumstances, the persons involved, defective parts and upload photos. All data is processed in EU data centres according to strict EU data protection.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is one of the biggest digitization drivers and has arrived in almost all industries. But the challenges are complex. Only concrete experience, practical technologies and orientation can help. Telekom brings everything it needs for the Internet of Things: We advise, build the networks, manage the devices and ensure security. We will show you all this during our IoT week from January 22 to 26, 2018. Follow us at www.telekom.com/iot2018 and at #IoT2018.