Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Anthony Hilton: Aviva chief may have got out just in time

 

Anthony Hilton
Saturday 12 May 2012 00:43 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Andrew Moss of Aviva resigned on Tuesday, forced out by shareholders dissatisfied with the languid performance of the group. Coincidentally the next day I got sent a report produced by the Oliver Wyman Group about the future of motor insurance which suggested it might not have one.

Given that this is one of the biggest parts of Aviva's Norwich Union business, perhaps Mr Moss might one day be seen to be lucky to leave when he did.

The report is a bit pie-in-the-sky, but it is based on the argument that people buy motor insurance because accidents happen, and the technology already exists to cut the numbers drastically – so drastically, in fact, that the insurers would have no business.

If we actually insisted on installing in vehicles things like telematics, which records and predicts bad driving behaviour, automatic collision avoidance and automated traffic law enforcement, accidents would plunge in number and severity. Meanwhile, satellite tracking could virtually eliminate theft.

And much of the money spent on insurance premiums would be saved.

a.hilton@independent.co.uk

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in