Ajusto: Can Good Driving Really Save You Money?

Ajusto

Insurance is the worst and car insurance is one of those expenses that every driver has to deal with. It’s essential for protecting yourself, your vehicle, and others on the road. But with rising premiums, finding ways to save money on car insurance is a priority for many drivers especially with rising cost of living. That’s where programs like Ajusto come in—offering the potential for lower premiums based on your driving habits. Its only available under Desjardin but I was able to sign up for the program through my insurance The Personal.

What is the Ajusto Program?

The Ajusto Program is designed to monitor your driving habits and reward safe driving with discounts on your car insurance premiums. By opting into the program, drivers agree to have their driving behaviors tracked through a mobile app. This data is then used to assess how safe (or risky) your driving is, and those with better driving scores are eligible for discounts.

How Does Ajusto Work?

Once you enroll in the Ajusto Program, your insurance company begins monitoring a variety of factors related to your driving habits, including:

Speeding: Are you regularly driving above the speed limit?

Braking: Do you brake hard or come to sudden stops frequently?

Acceleration: Are you accelerating too quickly?

Time of Day: Do you frequently drive during high-risk hours, such as late at night or during rush hour?

Distance Traveled: How far are you driving on a regular basis?

These behaviors are analyzed over a period of time, and the data collected is used to create a personalized risk profile. Drivers who consistently demonstrate safer driving habits may qualify for discounts on their premiums, with some programs offering savings of up to 25%.

The Pros of the Ajusto Program

Potential Savings: One of the most obvious benefits of Ajusto is the potential for reduced premiums. If you’re already a cautious driver, this program could lead to significant savings.

Encourages Safer Driving: Knowing that your driving habits are being monitored can motivate you to become a more careful driver. This not only helps you save on insurance but also reduces the risk of accidents.

Customizes Insurance Costs: Unlike traditional insurance, which often relies on general factors like your age or the area you live in, Ajusto allows for a more personalized approach. Your premium is directly linked to how you drive, not just who you are.

Instant Feedback: Most apps provide real-time feedback on your driving habits, helping you identify areas for improvement. This instant data allows you to adjust your driving behavior right away and maximize your potential savings.

The Cons of the Ajusto Program

Privacy Concerns: One of the biggest drawbacks of usage-based programs like Ajusto is the constant tracking of your driving. Some people may feel uncomfortable with their insurance company having access to such detailed information about their daily habits and movements.

Penalties for High-Risk Driving: While Ajusto offers discounts for good driving, it can also lead to higher premiums if your driving habits are deemed risky. If you’re frequently speeding, braking hard, or driving during high-risk hours, the program may actually work against you.

Limited Discounts: While the promise of up to 25% savings is appealing, not every driver will qualify for the maximum discount. Some drivers may see little to no reduction in their premiums, depending on their driving patterns.

Possible Impact on Claims: Some worry that the data collected by Ajusto could be used against them when filing a claim. While insurance companies claim the data is only used for assessing discounts, it’s a potential concern for drivers.

My Experience

So I have been signed up for around a month now and have driven 760kms of the minimum required of 1000kms. The driving period is 6 months which is quite long to be an ultra safe driver and I think that is deliberate. They know that anyone can drive like a grandma for a month or two, but eventually people will slip back into their regular driving habits which will reveal how not perfect they are at speeding and braking on time. So far I sit at an 84 rating, out of 100 which I actually feel that is low. I feel that I am an excellent driver.

The app allows you to delete 2 trips and additional more deletes each month depending on KMs driven. This allows you to not be penalized for out of the ordinary driving events or if you were just feeling off while driving. 

If someone else is driving the app won't know the different which is annoying since you will have to manually go into the app and specify each and every time you are not the driver since Ajusto always defaults to assuming you are the driver. 

The app won't tell you how your driving was until after you confirm the trip. Which is smart because if you knew you driving was poor it would be easy to just click that you were the passenger for that trip. Once you confirm the trip the app will rate you on Braking, Speed, Distractions and Acceleration. If there was a particular poor driving event it would be highlighted on the map which is pretty cool or creepy. 

Using Ajusto can be quite annoying. For example not being able to look at your phone, even at a red light, especially if the only way to change the song or podcast is on your phone can be deeply frustrating. You may be sick of all the songs on a Spotify playlist but tough luck, you are stuck with them till the trip is over. I have gotten used to it and I believe using this app has made me a more deliberate driver. I essentially channel my inner old man and drive like I am 95 years old. Slow to acceleration, pre braking constantly, slow around turns and pretending technology doesn't exist. If you feel like you could be an ultra safe driver for 6 months at a chance of 25% off, then I would recommend signing up for Ajusto. Currently I am only looking at 10% with my score 84 which makes me think most people's rate would stay the same or decrease if they were to drive in their normal way.  

Is Ajusto Right for You?

If you’re a safe and cautious driver, the Ajusto Program can be a great way to save money on your car insurance. It rewards good driving behavior and offers a more personalized approach to premiums. However, if you have privacy concerns or if your driving habits involve frequent late-night trips, long commutes, or occasional speeding, the potential drawbacks might outweigh the benefits.

Before signing up, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons and consider whether you’re comfortable with the level of tracking involved. For those willing to embrace the idea of usage-based insurance, Ajusto offers a promising way to lower car insurance costs—putting more money back into your pocket.

If you found this helpful and would like help budgeting or investing please email me at taylormckeecoaching@gmail.com