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AonSmartDrive Measured Safety Program Reduces Auto Related Liability Costs by 50%
Risk adviser solves fleet operation challenges during declining economy with rocketing fuel costs
PRNewswire-FirstCall
CHICAGO
(NYSE:AOC)

CHICAGO, June 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Aon Corporation, the leading global risk and insurance firm, and SmartDrive, a global leader in driver safety and risk management solutions, have teamed up to provide a joint service called AonSmartDrive.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041215/CGW049LOGO)

The AonSmartDrive measured safety program is launching in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia featuring a dual lens in-vehicle camera that records and analyzes unsafe acts on roads. As part of Aon's wider risk management program, Commercial Fleet Solutions, it aims to reduce commercial fleet accidents by 50 percent and help protect companies in a continually increasing litigious environment.

AonSmartDrive includes an in-vehicle unit consisting of a dual lens camera that uses G-force and speed sensors to capture 30 second video clips of before and after a triggered incident. These are then reviewed to identify possible driving errors, such as tailgating or speeding, or common distractions, such as eating, using a cell phone, or reading a map. The system is entirely Web-based, allowing clients to easily and quickly access events, run reports, and counsel drivers.

Benchmarking means good drivers can be appropriately rewarded, while drivers displaying unsafe behaviors can be retrained.

"We consider this innovative joint program to be ground-breaking. It leverages the complementary strengths of Aon's risk management expertise and our driver safety solutions effectively to deliver significant value to customers," said Greg Drew, CEO of SmartDrive. "We are already seeing the results. Companies in the U.S. and UK have already seen accident frequencies cut by over 50 percent within three-six months of deploying the program and improved compliance to their safety initiatives."

  AonSmartDrive benefits also include:

  -- Reduced exposure of fraudulent claims and litigation
  -- Reduced insurance premiums and retained risk costs
  -- Reduced security threats through "panic button" camera trigger
  -- Driver development and retention
  -- Reduced maintenance costs
  -- Reduction in mystery damages
  -- Reduced fuel consumption from speeding

Aon's Commercial Fleet Solutions also includes a thorough review of existing risk management measures; driver profiling, assessment and training provision; detailed analysis of claims data; accident management/claims handling solutions and other types of driver/vehicle performance monitoring devices.

Luke Harrison, Director of Aon Global Risk Consulting, said, "We are working to bring innovative and proactive risk solutions to our clients. After evaluating multiple sources of technology, Aon knew SmartDrive was best positioned to assist clients in adding cost-saving technology to Aon's existing Fleet Risk offerings. AonSmartDrive will become an integral program for fleet operators wanting to survive, at a time when competition is fierce and fuel costs are rising."

"Initiatives such as AonSmartDrive supplement a company's risk management program by influencing driver behavior and preventing accidents. This is a key message, through which companies should pro-actively identify and manage the risks posed by the vehicles, their drivers, and the job that is being undertaken. In this litigious environment AonSmartDrive will help companies to show that they are taking all reasonable steps to reduce costs and save lives."

About SmartDrive Systems

Based in San Diego, SmartDrive Systems mitigates risk by monitoring the safe operation of vehicle fleets worldwide and assesses liability in collisions. By combining sight and sound, event analysis and driver coaching, SmartDrive's automated event recorder (AER) technology and associated web-based service reduces vehicle damages, workers' compensation and personal injury costs by over 50 percent. Customers include enterprise with fleets: from small- to mid-size fleets (e.g. motor coaches, ambulances, and taxi companies) to large 1,000+ fleets (e.g. school bus, utility, waste management, and transit companies). For more information, please go to http://www.smartdrive.net/.

About Aon

Aon Corporation (NYSE: AOC) is the leading global provider of risk management services, insurance and reinsurance brokerage, human capital and management consulting. Through its 43,000 professionals worldwide, Aon readily delivers distinctive client value via innovative and effective risk management and workforce productivity solutions. Our industry-leading global resources, technical expertise and industry knowledge are delivered locally through more than 500 offices in more than 120 countries. Aon was ranked by A.M. Best as the number one global insurance brokerage in 2007 based on brokerage revenues, and voted best insurance intermediary, best reinsurance intermediary, and best employee benefits consulting firm in 2007 by the readers of Business Insurance. For more information on Aon, log onto http://www.aon.com/.

   For more information contact:
   Rahsaan Johnson
   312.381.2684
   Rahsaan_Johnson@aon.com

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041215/CGW049LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

SOURCE: Aon Corporation

CONTACT: Rahsaan Johnson of Aon Corporation, +1-312-381-2684,
Rahsaan_Johnson@aon.com

Web site: http://www.aon.com/

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