At today’s Allianz Motor Day 2025, industry experts predicted that the rise of autonomous vehicles could cut traffic accidents by up to 50% by 2060 – a transformation that could also see insurance premiums fall as roads become safer.
Hosted at the Allianz Center for Technology in Munich, the event focused on the safety, regulation, and insurance implications of automated driving. Allianz unveiled findings from its new report, “Hands Off – The Safety Promise of Autonomous Mobility,” revealing that autonomous braking and driver assistance systems already reduce certain crashes by up to 66%.
Dr Klaus-Peter Röhler, Member of the Board of Management at Allianz SE, said autonomous mobility “is no longer a question of if – but how fast, how safe, and how fair.”
He added: “Autonomous vehicles will transform how we assess and price risk. As accident frequency declines, so will claims – and that means fairer, more affordable premiums for consumers.”
During the Q&A session, Allianz executives discussed how falling claim rates could reshape the motor insurance market. As vehicles become safer, policies may become cheaper – although more advanced repair costs for high-tech components could offset some of the savings in the short term.
Allianz also called for a unified EU “driving licence” for autonomous vehicles to ensure consistent testing and approval standards across Europe, along with a joint European database to record accidents and near misses involving autonomous systems.
Key predictions from Allianz’s research include:
- 20% reduction in road traffic accidents across Europe by 2035.
- Over 50% fewer accidents expected by 2060 as automated driving becomes widespread.
- Rear-end collisions cut by 30% and reversing crashes by 66% where autonomous braking systems are fitted.
Despite optimism, Allianz’s survey across seven European countries showed lingering public caution: 72% of respondents believe the technology is still “too new and untested,” while 64% want the ability to take back control at any time.
“Allianz’s position is clear,” Röhler said. “Victim protection must remain at the centre of autonomous vehicle insurance. Liability must stay with the vehicle owner, and insurers must remain the first point of contact for victims.”
The insurer believes that as automation matures and data-sharing frameworks evolve, autonomous driving will bring “a new era of safety, accessibility, and affordability” to European roads.
