According to telematics specialist Trimble, in the light of last week's ruling by European Union's top court that insurance companies can no longer make risk assessments based on gender after 2012, in-vehicle technology can provide far more salient information that can enable insurers to take into account speeds, times of travel, road usage and harsh manoeuvring when determining premiums.

Andy Yeoman, managing director of Trimble's UK Mobile Resource Management (MRM), said: 'By basing premiums solely on age, sex, where we live and the type of car we drive, insurance companies can make some very general assumptions about the way we behave behind the wheel, and those assumptions may not always be accurate.

'We are already seeing a number of insurers take a "pay-as-you drive" approach to premium calculations, but this is currently only in its infancy and involves those drivers considered a higher risk based on age.'

Trimble recently announced that it is collaborating with Zurich globally on a new integrated fleet risk management programme. The firm offers its telematics devices to insurance customers seeking ways to minimise fleet operating costs and reduce crashes.