South African drivers have found their wallets to be considerably dented after the last petrol increase, not so long ago, when petrol and diesel prices increased by 93c. As of today, the petrol prices have increased by a further 21c a litre for 93 grade petrol, and by 23c a litre for 95 grade petrol. This means 95 grade petrol is now R12.20 a litre for inland regions, and R11.85 a litre in the coastal regions, and the cost of diesel increased by 40c to R11.34 a litre. Drivers won’t be smiling at the increased dent in their wallets as they fork out yet more Rands for their fuel.
Discovery Insure is helping South African motorists to save on petrol costs during tough financial times through its well-structured, incentive-based driver programme, Vitalitydrive. Vitalitydrive makes use of the DQ-Track, Discovery Insure’s telematics device, which tracks driver behaviour and enables them to determine a scientifically robust measure of good driving. The DQ-Track measures speed, acceleration, braking, cornering and more, enabling Discovery Insure to measure how well their clients drive. These results are calculated through our uniquely developed method and makes suggestions on how clients can improve their driving ability, thus equipping them with evidence-based information they need to become better drivers. Clients can review their scores and information on their driving behaviour online.
In addition to information generated by DQ-Track, Discovery Insure drivers, understand that good driving is much more than these stand-alone elements, and that it involves a combination of three components, namely: driver performance, knowledge and awareness and vehicle condition and roadworthiness. By following these suggestions for improving their driving behaviour, and increasing their awareness of their own driver performance, knowledge, awareness and ensuring their vehicles are roadworthy, drivers can also enhance their fuel consumption spend as research shows that good driving habits result in fuel savings.
“Discovery Insure envisions creating a nation of better drivers and making the roads safer for all South Africans to use. This vision is in alignment with Discovery’s core purpose of making people healthier and enhancing and protecting their lives. One of ways through which our clients can gain financial savings by earning up to 50% cash back on their monthly BP fuel spend, which is tied to driving behaviour,” says Anton Ossip, Discovery Insure CEO.
The beauty of this model, says Ossip, is that it works. Ossip says, “In August this year, Discovery Insure paid out R2.6 million to clients in fuel cash backs, and to date we have paid out a total of over R11 million to our clients.”
Discovery Insure data shows that clients fill up their cars on an average of 2.5 times a month. Given this data, the fuel cash back model means that assuming the average car has a 45 litre engine and the new fuel cost for 95 grade petrol is R12. a litre, South African drivers will spend R1 373.50 a month on petrol costs. With the fuel cash back incentive, drivers can potentially receive up to R686.75 back from their fuel spend, dependent on how well they drive.*
Being a better driver means that drivers are helping to create a nation of safer drivers and improving their cars’ fuel consumption which results in fuel savings.