Personal-lines insurers and others who serve this market arelearning that leveraging mobile technology is anincreasingly essential component to attracting and retainingcustomers. Following are some useful apps and devices companies areoffering to auto and homeowners insurance shoppers.

Distracted DrivingSolution

In April, Esurance introduced atechnology solution that can block mobile phone calls, texts,email, Internet, and other smartphone applications while the car isin motion, keeping teens focused on the road, reducing distracteddriving, and helping to save lives. Using non-pairing Bluetoothtechnology from Cellcontrol, the device is engaged when a caris in motion and limits mobile device activity during that time. Itremains active in the background and usage is blocked until the caris completely stopped.

In 2012, Progressive introduced anew service for its personal auto customers. When searching for anew quote, potential customers can, with the use of theirsmartphone, simply take a picture of their drivers' license, takeanother picture of the VIN of the car being purchased, and send thephotos via text message to Progressive. Within minutes, you get aquote from the insurer. Progressive's mobile app also letscustomers pay bills, report damage and find an agent amongother features.

Digital ID Card

Although it is still not legal in most states, Geico is offering through itsmobile app a digital insurance ID card that gives customers all theinformation needed to share with law enforcement or other motoristsin the event of an accident. You no longer need to search throughthe glovebox to find those elusive cards that probably have alreadyexpired. 

State Farm PocketAgent

Everything a State Farm customer needs can be found in this app.Customers can view their policy, submit an auto insurance claim,contact a local agent, pay bills using the State Farm Bank mobilebill pay feature, transfer funds from one eligible State Farm Bankaccount to another, and search for and locate roadside services andauto repair facilities.

Wreck Check

In August of 2012, the NAICintroduced its WreckCheck mobile application that outlineswhat to do immediately following an auto accident and takes usersthrough a step-by-step process to create their own accident report.Additionally, the app lets users email a completed accident reportdirectly to themselves and their insurance agents. The app is freeand available for both iPhone and Android smartphone users.

Vehicle SafetyApp

Consumers can now receive more vehicle safety information ontheir car from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration'sSaferCar.gov website with afree app for iPhones and iPads. The SaferCar app lets users file avehicle safety complaint, find recall information, and locatecar-seat installation help. Consumers also can register theirvehicles to be notified by NHTSA if their vehicle is subject to arecall. They can also look up federal crash test ratings andcompare them across different makes and models. The app also can beused as a bar code scanner to find vehicle identificationnumbers.

Digital Locker

Allstate Digital Locker isa mobile application that enables policyholders to create aninventory of items that can be stored on their smartphone. They canorganize their personal property by room, category or in itemlists; take new pictures, or choose from their existing iPhone orAndroid library. This gives the policyholder the information theyneed should they ever need to make a claim. A web version is alsoavailable.

Travelers Auto AccidentHelp

Travelers'mobile app for iPhone and Android guides customers through thesteps they need to take to document an accident and submit a claim.It also automatically detects the accident date, time and location,allows customers to take photos, provides an accident report andkeeps track of submitted claims and accident reports.