New car insurance in the UAE pays you more for driving less

Online product Beema gives customers who drive a maximum of 20,000 kilometres over one year up to 25 per cent cashback

Beema is a digital car insurance company created through the Enoc Next accelerator programme in partnership with Axa. Chris Whiteoak / The National

UAE drivers who lessen their time on the road will now be rewarded with cashback if they sign up for a new car insurance product.

Beema, an online car insurance company created through the Enoc Next accelerator programme in partnership with Axa, will offer cashback of up to 25 per cent to UAE customers who limit the amount of kilometres they drive.

Those who drive a maximum of 20,000km will receive a percentage of the premium they paid at the end of the year. For example, a customer who drives 4,000km would get 25 per cent cashback, while 8,000km would result in 9 per cent cashback and 16,000km 7 per cent cashback.

In 2018 Enoc Next and BCG Digital Ventures sought to identify disruptive digital businesses and Beema was the result. After a series of pilots and soft launches from May through August, it is now rolling out across the UAE.

“In line with the UAE’s innovation agenda, we wanted to offer a service that would truly revolutionise the insurance market and have broad appeal for drivers,” said Saif Humaid Al Falasi, group chief executive of Enoc.

Customers can get a Beema quote online within minutes by entering their car and personal details. Prices are dependent on the customer and vehicle type. The insurance is underwritten by Axa, which handles the claims.

To get cashback, the kilometre reading is taken from the car’s odometer at the start of the policy coverage and at the end of the year, either by uploading a Tasjeel certificate or through a scheduled visit.

The fully comprehensive insurance includes 24-hour accident and breakdown coverage, personal injury cover, hire car benefit and Oman cover. It is touted as a convenient product for owners of more than one car and those who clock low mileage.

Paolo Gagliardi, chief executive at Beema, said the company is "all about convenience and value".

“This offering was designed specifically with the UAE market in mind, knowing the diverse pool of driving needs we have in the country," he said.

Mr Gagliardi added that customers can have “peace of mind that they are underwritten by Axa,” an established global insurance provider.

During the pilot phase of Beema, Axa Gulf chief executive Cedric Charpentier told The National that insurance linked to the number of kilometres driven is "a concept which has been successful in other parts of the world".

Metromile in the US is car insurance that promises “a low base rate then just pennies per mile”. ByMiles in the UK charges a fixed annual cost and then per mile through a Miles Tracker plugged under the car’s dashboard. Beema is slightly different in that it is not truly a “pay-per-kilometre” product, but it does reward customers for driving less.