Cambridge, MA – January 22, 2024 – Direct Assurance, a leading online car insurance provider in France and a subsidiary of AXA France, today announced that it is partnering with Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT), the world’s largest telematics service provider, to power the next generation of their connected insurance programme, YouDrive.

Originally launched a decade ago, YouDrive was the first connected car insurance programme in France. Initially designed for young drivers, its mission was to financially reward responsible driving while reducing insurance costs. Today, this trailblazing programme continues to evolve, using mobile telematics technology to measure driving behaviour and reward safe drivers with lower insurance premiums. Nearly half of its customers save €200 annually on their premiums.

With its financial benefits for drivers, YouDrive is growing in popularity. In the past year, YouDrive’s users grew by 27%, reaching 60,000 policyholders. As more drivers adopt the programme, France’s roads get safer — the programme has reduced crash rates by up to 31%.

“The partnership with Cambridge Mobile Telematics teams represents a major opportunity for Direct Assurance, said Henry de Courtois, Managing Director of Direct Assurance. Together, we combine our assets to deliver cutting-edge technology that simplifies connected insurance and promotes more responsible driving. This partnership reflects our shared vision of innovation for the benefit of all drivers and will enable Direct Assurance to attract more customers towards connected insurance.”

“We are proud to partner with Direct Assurance and AXA France to make connected insurance more impactful and accessible for drivers across France,” said William Powers, Founder and CEO of Cambridge Mobile Telematics. “This partnership helps French drivers save money and improve their safety. It’s a powerful example of how technology can transform lives. At CMT, we’re committed to bringing our life-saving technology to communities around the globe, helping to create safer roads and a better future for all.”

The new generation of YouDrive comes at an ideal time in France, as French drivers express near universal interest in connected insurance programmes. New findings from an Opinion Way* survey commissioned by Direct Assurance found that:

• 93% are interested in car insurance that includes discounts and driving feedback.
• 91% are willing to change their driving habits for reduced premiums.
• 94% believe it is fair for safer drivers to pay less.

Direct Assurance benefits from the transition to CMT in many ways. With a more efficient technology — a compact Bluetooth tag — Direct Assurance can reduce operational costs, enabling more competitive pricing for customers. The streamlined design and an enhanced app offer a modern and intuitive experience, increasing user engagement. The new system’s simplicity makes it accessible to a wider range of drivers — including drivers of all ages and “low-milers” — ensuring that more people can take advantage of the programme.

The revamped YouDrive app also makes it easier for drivers to reduce their carbon footprint with daily coaching, tips, and an eco-score system.

About Cambridge Mobile Telematics

Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) is the world’s largest telematics service provider. Its mission is to make the world’s roads and drivers safer. The company’s AI-driven platform, DriveWell Fusion®, gathers sensor data from millions of IoT devices — including smartphones, proprietary Tags, connected vehicles, dashcams, and third-party devices — and fuses them with contextual data to create a unified view of vehicle and driver behavior. Auto insurers, automakers, commercial mobility companies, and the public sector use insights from CMT’s platform to power risk assessment, safety, claims, and driver improvement programs. Headquartered in Cambridge, MA, with offices in Budapest, Chennai, Seattle, Tokyo, and Zagreb, CMT measures and protects tens of millions of drivers worldwide every day.

About Direct Assurance

Direct Assurance is the French leader in online car insurance and also offers motorcycle, home, health, and legal protection insurance. Today, 1.7 million customers trust it. A pioneer since 1992, Direct Assurance is a subsidiary of AXA France.

*To obtain the survey, contact Thomas@cmt.ai