The fast-changing nature of mobility: how do you respond as a company?

The original recording of this videopodcast is available in Dutch.

The term ‘mobility’ is a very broad one. It means all the journeys we make to get from A to B, whether by car, bicycle, speed pedelec, public transport, plane or scooter. The way we live and work has a major influence on how we move about, in both our private and our professional lives.

The mobility landscape has changed significantly in recent years. We’re spending less time physically present in the office. For many of us, remote working can be done from anywhere: in the living-room, at a co-working facility, in a coffee bar, on a workation (= a combination of holiday and remote working) abroad, and so on. Many employers are moving away from the 9 to 5 mindset and introducing flexible working hours – and that’s good news for work-life balance. Tip: employer and employee should both be sure to make clear agreements about working hours and the workplace so that everyone remains optimally insured at all times.

Important developments are also taking place concerning means of transport. For example, the electrification of the corporate fleet has been implemented with determination. In addition, the rise in the use of electric bicycles, speed pedelecs and electric scooters is continuing and shared mobility is growing ever more attractive, especially in urban settings. These developments mean that new infrastructure must be built and new regulations are also needed.

The new forms of mobility bring new risks with them, of course. The legal framework is lagging behind in some cases, and insurance cover is not automatically adapted to the changing nature of mobility either.

Some examples:

• An accident with a speed pedelec during the commute usually causes more serious injuries than an accident with an ordinary bicycle. We have also seen an increase in the frequency of accidents.
• In the event of a work accident, the victim must be able to prove three things: the accident, the injury and occurrence of the accident during the performance of the employment contract. This is often far easier at the office than when working from home.

To ensure that all road users can travel safely, the need for accident prevention is increasing. Both the government and the insurance sector are giving thought to this complex mobility issue. As an employer you also have an important role to play here, for example by organising training courses on bicycle safety.

As an employer, you can help to make your mark on mobility policy with a budget for flexible mobility. By creating certain incentives, you can encourage – or discourage – the choice of a particular means of transport. This includes bicycle leasing – a tax-efficient way to rent a bicycle for your commute.

To achieve the climate objectives, we need to make our mobility greener and more sustainable. For many mobility experts, leasing and shared mobility are components of the vision for the future of mobility in this country. We will increasingly move away from owning a means of transport and opt for whatever mobility mix suits our individual needs. Concepts such as ‘mobility as a service’ and ‘EASCY’ (= Electric, Autonomous, Shared, Connected and Yearly updated) have emerged. Such technological innovations will enable us to move around in ways that are sustainable, efficient and smart.

As an insurance broker, Vanbreda keeps a close eye on trends and changes, because they affect the services we provide. Many companies have already made the shift to hybrid and electric company cars in the past few years. This presents several challenges for the insurance sector. With the arrival of self-driving vehicles, premiums may also come under pressure and there will be greater emphasis on liability – including cyber liability. Given that mobility and insurance are so closely intertwined, we are increasingly moving towards an integrated B2B model in which users expect fast, intuitive and streamlined services.