Connected automated vehicles and insurance: Analysing future market-structure from a business ecosystem perspective

摘要

The progressing interconnection and automation of automobile vehicles has profound implications for society and business operations. Existing business models and revenue streams in the automotive and transportation sector will be affected by this developing technology and a potential shift of societal mobility usage patterns. These disruptions will also have a far-reaching impact on the automotive aftersales service and motor insurance sector. Existing literature on the strategic impact of connected automated vehicles (CAV) for the motor insurance mostly focusses on questions of liability and the potential impact on the overall premium volume of the business. Enlarging this research focus with an analysis of service-based mobility approaches and the emergence of business ecosystem platforms in the automotive and mobility sectors, this paper finds that these developments have significant spillover effects on customer interfaces and the competitive environment of motor insurance.In particular, the ability of traditional motor insurers to integrate themselves in business ecosystem platforms built around CAV is disadvantaged due to a lack of an equal technical and legal access to in-vehicle data required for telematics-based services. Referring to this barrier, this research shows that the shift of the automobile to an interconnected smart device makes it necessary that automotive manufacturers (OEMs) open their business ecosystem platforms for third parties to maximize own value propositions. However, as this awareness seems not to be penetrated into adequate proactive action of OEMs, we suggest a timely intervention of legislative bodies to achieve the common regulatory objective of an undistorted and fair competition in telematics-based (insurance) service offerings.