Insurers have a vital role to play in developing new approaches to driverless cars, according to Zurich Head of Risk Engineering Australasia Mervyn Rea.

Australia conducted its first automated car trial in Adelaide at the weekend, following the two-day International Driverless Cars Conference.

The successful trial was part of the Australian Driverless Vehicle Initiative (ADVI), which is supported by Zurich.

Mr Rea says the insurer is “actively involved” in motor technology that reduces risks for customers.

“Consequently, we are deeply interested in the potential for self-driving vehicles and related technologies to make road usage safer for everyone.”

Mr Rea says Zurich supports the project through its expertise in fleet risk management, crash reduction and prevention engineering, and the potential implications of self-driving vehicles from an insurance perspective.

“We can add value to the project as one of the world’s largest motor insurers, and we have an established reputation for innovation in motor technology.”

Mr Rea says given the potential to increase vehicle safety and change the basis of insurance from individual liability to product or vehicle designer liability, self-driving cars will significantly affect assessment and pricing.

“Insurers have a very important role to play in the dialogue about this liability, which needs to be resolved before self-driving vehicles can further evolve.

“In Australia, we are already offering telematics-based technologies for our motor fleet customers and we are the world’s first insurer to offer a tailored insurance proposition for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle owners.”

Volvo’s Senior Technical Leader in Crash Avoidance Trent Victor says it is impossible to guarantee a self-driving car will never be involved in a crash.

“Other vehicles can still crash into the car,” he said.