(NewsUSA) - Commercial auto insurance and fleet safety are meeting the demands of modern-day risk management by analyzing telematics, but more work is needed to optimize this information and put it into action in the industry, according to results of a new report from SambaSafety, the leading provider of cloud-based driver risk management solutions.

Telematics is used by commercial insurers to capture driving patterns from telematics devices their fleet customer use, such as visibility into riskier driving such as speed, mileage, and braking— empowering insurers to collaborate with fleets on tailored coverage and proactive risk consulting strategies.

The 2025 SambaSafety Telematics Report: Uncovering Market Dynamics and Technology Trends, shows that telematics is front and center in the risk and safety ecosystem, according to SambaSafety CEO Matt Scheuing.

“The current state of commercial auto reflects an industry under strain, but also one on the edge of transformation, with telematics at the center,” said Matt Scheuing, CEO of SambaSafety. “When fleets and insurers connect through shared data and trust, we move closer to a market that prevents losses instead of reacting to them. 

“At SambaSafety, we’re closing that gap for millions of drivers through our Risk Cloud, integrating telematics, court, DOT and claims data to deliver actionable insights and targeted training—through our newly enhanced driver app. With our SambaSafety Verified program, we’re also helping insurers identify and reward fleets that actively manage risk. Together, these advancements represent the next step in connecting our customers through shared data, smarter insights and measurable safety outcomes.” 

The new report includes survey responses from industries including trucking & transportation, construction, energy, utilities, government, and healthcare. SambaSafety collected responses from 152 individuals from fleets, 180 insurance brokers and 70 insurance carriers, all based in North America, in June and July 2025.

Overall, 88% of fleets reported using telematics for safety reasons, and 95% considered driver training important.

However, the complexity of the data and technical challenges of integration were mentioned often as barriers to using telematics more widely in optimizing insurance.

Nearly two-thirds (66%) of fleets said that “interpreting or acting on the data” was a challenge, and 58% of fleet drivers said that linking drivers to their data remains an operational concern.

Telematics data is reshaping relationships between commercial fleets and insurers, but there is room for improvement in collaboration, according to the SambaSafety survey. Although 41% of fleets reported that use of telematics lowered their insurance premiums, 70% of fleets rarely interact with insurers around telematics, creating a gap in shared innovation and risk reduction. When insurers initiate telematics discussions, fleets report strong partnership in risk reduction—yet 79% of non-engaged fleets say that outreach never happens.

The 2025 SambaSafety Telematics Report: Uncovering Market Dynamics and Technology Trends is available for download. For more information and to access the report, visit sambasafety.com.