Achmea wants data from smart thermostat and cars in exchange for a discount – update

Achmea wants data from smart thermostats and ‘measuring boxes’ in cars to map customer behaviour. Customers should use these devices and give them access to their data in exchange for a discount on their premium.

Among other things, the insurer wants to work with Google to encourage customers to install the company’s Nest thermostat and smoke detector. “We are going to link insurance to people who take these kinds of preventive aids into their home,” Albert Spijkman, Market Strategy director at Achmea, told the FD. His company is proposing a reduction in the premium for home contents and building insurance, because these kinds of smart systems in the home would reduce the cost of claims: “If the customer lives more safely, we have less damage.”

Customers should install systems for safety not only at home but also in the car, the insurer wants. Safe driving should then lead to a lower premium. Details about the measurement boxes that Achmea is considering are not yet available, but the company is in discussion with TomTom about this. The ANWB is also experimenting with these types of systems. In a trial, that organization provided dongles among members that could map driving behavior and issue warnings about unsafe situations.

According to Achmea, it is up to the customer whether they want to share the data with the insurer or not, but only when sharing does he receive a lower premium. Many companies are experimenting with using customer data for services and earning money. For example, last year ING made a proposal to give advertisers access to data about customer payment behaviour. After a fuss about this, that plan was shelved.

Update, 16.30: Nest points out in response to questions that it has long worked with insurers in the US and that it does not provide personal data of users. The data that is shared concerns information whether, for example, the Nest Protect works, whether the batteries are still charged, whether the sensors are working and whether the WiFi connection is intact. That data would also only be shared after permission and that permission could be withdrawn again.