Safest Arizona Drivers Save With New Allstate Drive Wise(SM)

Performance-Based Auto Insurance Discount Program Pilots Trends and Seeks to Create Safer Roads by Rewarding Long-Term, Safe Driving Habits


PHOENIX, AZ--(Marketwire - Aug 8, 2011) - Trending on high-tech customer rewards for safe driving, Allstate (NYSE: ALL) today announced the launch of Drive Wise in Arizona, a voluntary program that rewards safe and low-mileage drivers with discounts of up to 30 percent. Arizona is the third state to launch this innovative program. Consumers can learn more and sign up for Drive Wise(SM) by visiting www.allstate.com/DriveWise or by contacting their local Allstate agent.

"Seat belts, air bags, teen and distracted driving -- they're all examples of Allstate's leadership as a safe driving advocate. That legacy continues with the introduction of Drive Wise," said Denis Bailey, Allstate field senior vice president in the southwest region. "Allstate is an industry leader and Drive Wise proves we're staying ahead of the curve by ensuring our roads are safer for everyone by introducing the right technology to raise awareness and safer driving habits."

Drive Wise rewards begin immediately when participating customers receive a 10 percent discount just for joining during the first policy term. Subsequent policy terms shift to a performance rating approach, where customers' driving behavior and total mileage driven over the course of the policy term determine the discount. Rates will not go up based on driving scores, but savings of up to 30 percent can be earned by drivers with the safest driving and low mileage scores.

Program enrollees receive a small, wireless telematics device that plugs into their vehicle's onboard computer via the diagnostic port -- under the dash in most car models. No GPS data is collected. The device tracks only those factors used to calculate a performance rating, including:

  • Mileage
  • Driving time of day
  • Hard/extreme braking
  • Maximum speed (speeds over 80 mph affect ratings)

The design of Drive Wise is the result of extensive consumer research and hundreds of employee volunteers logging almost two million test miles. In one employee test measuring hard stops, aggressive starts and swerving, the percentage of participants scoring in the ideal "safe zone" tripled from 25 to 75 percent over the course of the test. Adopted broadly, Allstate believes Drive Wise has the potential to save thousands of lives and millions of dollars in injury losses and property damage each year.

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With Allstate®" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®.

Contact Information:

Contact:
Kari Mather
602-631-6248

Allstate Field Product Manager Chris Eason was one of the first to test Drive Wise in his vehicle.