Novo Insurance

Novo Insurance: car insurance based on driving safety

Novo Insurance, LLC is an insurance agency with its registered place of business in Wilmington, Delaware. It markets auto policies whose price is tied to driver behavior: the company maintains that rates should reflect safe driving, not just age or ZIP code. Policy underwriting is handled by KnightBrook Insurance Company, an insurer domiciled in Delaware with offices in Los Angeles, California, which is not affiliated with Novo.

The Safety Score and the mobile app

Operation relies on a mobile app. Once the policy starts, the customer downloads it and drives as usual; the Safety Score takes shape over the first five trips and 50 miles. No plug-in device is required. The app only considers trips made with the vehicle covered by the policy, so rides in a friend's car or a taxi do not affect the score. After each trip, it shows miles driven, driving habits, and the score, so the policyholder knows where they stand.

Discounts and ways to sign up

The quote includes a safe driver discount from the moment of purchase, with no trial period. The company states that safer driving can lead to savings of up to 40%. The site offered two paths: get a free quote first and lock in a rate, with 20% off right away, or download the app and drive before buying, then receive a personalized rate based on the score obtained. The site description advertised savings of up to 38%.

Technology background

The company presents itself as a subsidiary of Telenav, a company dedicated to navigation and location-based services since its founding in 1999. In 2002 it launched the first navigation for mobile phones with Nextel. In 2017 it received its first J.D. Power award for overall navigation satisfaction, an honor that, according to the company, it has obtained every year since. Leadership is headed by HP Jin, co-founder, president and CEO, and Sal Dhanani, co-founder and chief operating officer.

Services and customer support

The site organizes its activity around insurance plans, the mobile app, a help center, claims management, and an agent program. Support is offered via chat, phone, text message, and email, plus a contact form with reasons such as quote, policy changes, cancellation, billing and payments, claims, app issues, marketing, or other. The company states that prices, coverages, features, terms, benefits, exclusions, limitations, and available discounts, as well as privacy practices, vary by state of residence.