Commitment to road safety
As the world’s leading car insurer with approximately 50 million motorists insured globally, Allianz feels a clear responsibility to communicate key safety messages to a worldwide audience.
Allianz is the only insurer worldwide to have its own road safety research institute, the Allianz Center for Technology (AZT) that has been dedicated to improving vehicle safety already since 1971. The center now conducts more than 90 crash tests per year to improve passenger protection, traffic safety for cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians.
As a way to raise awareness and understanding of road safety issues around the world, Allianz has been involved in Formula One since 2000. It was the first to brand the pit lane, the Official F1™Safety Car and Medical Car, which are key safety symbols in Formula One. As part of the team partnership with the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ team, the Allianz logo is also placed on the safety belt, the driver’s head and neck support system (HANS) as well as the race overall as visible testaments to its commitment to road safety.
Furthermore, over 24 Allianz markets drive strong local road safety programs.
Allianz Road Safety Timeline
1932: Allianz Center for Technology (AZT) founded
1971: AZT programme extended to cover vehicle technology
1976: AZT research leads to safety belt introduction in Germany
2000: Allianz partners with BMW Williams to begin association with Formula One™
2002: Team sponsorship is joined by track branding to intensify awareness of the Allianz brand
2005: Allianz launches the ‘Genius’ safety award for automotive manufacturers
2007: Focusing on safety, Allianz is the first to brand the Formula One™ pitlane
2008: Allianz becomes an Official Global Partner of Formula One™ and increases branding with safety relevance
2010: AZT research reaches average of one crash test per week. Allianz continues safety focus by sponsoring the Official Formula One™ Safety Car and Medical Car. 13 local Allianz markets with dedicated Road Safety activities
2011: Allianz partners with the FIA Foundation as a pioneer supporter of the United Nations ‘Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020’. Allianz becomes a partner of the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team, branding the safety features of the team including seatbelts, race overalls and HANS device. 24 local Allianz markets with dedicated Road Safety activities
2012: Allianz launches 'Safety starts in your head' campaign to raise awareness of road safety