part of the program even more meaningful to those that participate?
BRANCEL: The calibration, it is sensitive but it can be adjusted. It’s not one size fits all. If you feel that the camera is being set off by things that aren’t that risky, they can adjust that particular level that would cause the camera to be recording risky events.
TINNIRELLO: And who would do that? The participant, or is that required by somebody else?
BRANCEL: Often that would be feedback from parents that would respond back to DriveCam and say: we feel it’s being set off every time we hit a pothole and that’s not necessarily risky behavior. DriveCam’s engineers are then able to adjust those calibrations.
TINNIRELLO: Are there any future plans for the device itself to even make the feedback from the device even more meaningful in terms of driving habits? I know you talked about acceleration, you talked about sudden turns, but are there any other types of movements that you’re interested in recording, or at least have been talked about?
BRANCEL: The next possible improvement would be in tracking the speed. To be able to say how fast the vehicle was traveling at a particular time. Right now that can be determined based on the external environment and how quickly the vehicle is tapping 5 particular fixed objects on the side of the road. But to integrate the type of technology where they can simply tell how quick the vehicle is moving would be that next step.
TINNIRELLO: But there’s nothing in the device that determines whether or not a turn signal has been used or whether they’re braking too soon or not soon enough is anything like that included?
BRANCEL: It is not at this time.
FEATHERSTON: The device is not hooked into any of the electronics in the vehicle itself.
TINNIRELLO: Isn’t that something that would be beneficial in terms of improving the safety? Assuming not that just reckless driving patterns, but just normal precautions that would be done for the safety – turn signals, braking distances. What about inclement weather conditions such as ice of snow?
FEATHERSTON: All of that would be excellent enhancements to what the program can provide. We do that there are other applications out there that other insurers, other companies have tested that would provide a little more information in diagnostic information on the vehicle and what’s going on. We really feel for this purpose of training teenage drivers to respond to the environment around them, having the video is key. It’s critical to understanding what really occurred and having those conversations with the parents. We acknowledge that more information would be better. But we think that that information alone would not be better than what we have for the purpose we have this program for.
MCDONALD: Good answer. Mike or Jaimie, did you have any final questions or comments? We’re nearing the end here.
PICKLES: Quick question regarding the execution. Once you had agreement and an idea to go forward and the product was basically in development and/or in place, you’re an agency company, you have 4,000 plus sprinkled across 18 states and nothing really new gets implemented or sold without the agents accepting it, being enthusiastic about it, etc. Can you give us some insights about how you approached your agents in order to get them on board?
WESTRATE: We had an internal program where we made certain that every agent – and, in fact, every employee for that matter, but it was targeted at the agents – thoroughly understood the value that this program could bring to the families they insure. Again, the idea almost sold itself. When agents saw those videos and they saw how it worked and when we armed them with information to put minds at ease about the “big Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11