Central Insurance Blog

It’s hard to imagine a world without cameras anymore. Where once relegated to security at retail establishments, now these digital tools are found everywhere you are—your home, work, grocery store, and even the vehicle you drive. 

Fleet operators are no exception, as onboard cameras have quickly shifted from a nice-to-have to a vital tool for safety and performance monitoring. Video telematics, in particular, is now considered an essential part of running a safe, efficient fleet. In fact, it’s estimated that the number of video units installed will rise from 6.1 million in 2024 to 13.8 million by the end of the decade.

Whether you operate a handful of vehicles or manage a large commercial fleet, these tools deliver real-time insights that can protect your assets, improve safety, and reduce costs. Read the article below as Thomas McMillan, commercial lines staff underwriter at Central Insurance, delves deeper into the topic of fleet telematics and provides recommendations for the top apps.

Why Fleet Telematics Matter in 2026 and Beyond

Fleet telematics apps combine vehicle sensors, GPS tracking, and onboard cameras to provide a 360-degree view of fleet operations. They’re designed to help identify risks before they escalate, giving fleet managers the ability to address unsafe driving habits, track maintenance needs, and document incidents with verifiable proof.

“Prevention is always more cost-effective than reacting to a loss,” McMillan explains. “Reducing claim frequency and severity benefits the carrier, helps keep your rates low, and ultimately benefits everyone involved.”

However, there are a host of benefits that go beyond safety. Fleet telematics can also help lower fuel costs, extend vehicle life, and even improve insurance insurability by providing documented safety practices.

Below, we outline some of the best fleet telematics technologies you can consider integrating into your risk management practices.

Top Fleet Telematics Apps for 2026

McMillan highlights that, when it comes to choosing the right telematics tools, fleet managers need solutions that balance advanced technology with practical, day-to-day usability. Here are some of the best fleet telematics apps that combine safety-focused features with cost-saving insights, helping you run a smarter, more efficient operation.

1. Fleet Telematics App – Samsara

Samsara offers an all-in-one fleet management platform with real-time GPS tracking, AI-powered dashcams, and driver safety alerts. Its mobile app gives fleet managers instant access to live vehicle locations, safety scores, and maintenance schedules. By tracking risky behaviors such as hard braking and distracted driving, Samsara helps reduce accident frequency and severity.

2. Fleet Telematics App – Geotab 

Geotab provides customizable fleet telematics solutions with robust data analytics. Its platform offers insights into driver behavior, fuel usage, and engine diagnostics, helping fleets cut unnecessary expenses. 

Geotab’s rule-based alerts make it easy to address unsafe actions in real time, reinforcing safer driving habits across the board. In addition, Geotab ranks as the #1 vendor in ABI Research’s latest Commercial Telematics Vendor Competitive Assessment.

Get insights like this right in your inbox. Subscribe to the Central Blog below.

3. Fleet Telematics App – Verizon Connect

Verizon Connect focuses on efficiency, with tools for route optimization, compliance tracking, and driver performance monitoring. Its easy-to-use app allows managers to see where every vehicle is, how it’s being driven, and whether it’s on schedule—reducing both operational costs and safety risks. The app also supports geofencing, enabling managers to receive notifications when a vehicle enters or exits a designated area.

4. Fleet Telematics App – Motive

Motive’s AI video safety system detects risky driving behaviors in real time, sends alerts, and provides actionable coaching insights to improve safety. The platform also ensures compliance with hours-of-service and other regulations while capturing video evidence to protect against false claims. With scalable tools, mobile access, and seamless integrations, Motive helps fleets boost efficiency, cut costs, and safeguard drivers. It was also named the #1 Supply Chain & Logistics Software Product by G2.

5. Fleet Telematics App – Powerfleet

Powerfleet offers SaaS-based solutions to monitor and manage high-value mobile and stationary assets in real-time. Powerfleet also provides specialized hardware—such as vehicle gateways and cold chain sensors to support regulatory compliance, safety, and performance optimization. With advanced diagnostics, driver behavior scoring, and compliance workflows, it helps businesses reduce risk, control costs, and maintain accountability across their fleets.

How Fleet Telematics Improve Safety and Reduce Costs

Fleet telematics apps track high-risk behaviors such as speeding, sharp turns, and phone use while driving. McMillan emphasizes that even small changes in driver behavior can have a big impact. 

If an incident does occur, fleet telematics provide timestamped data and video evidence that can streamline the claims process. This documentation can mean faster resolution, lower legal costs, and better outcomes with insurance carriers. From an insurance underwriting perspective, fleets that leverage telematics have a clear advantage. Detailed safety records and documented policies make it easier for insurers to assess risk and often lead to more favorable rates.

In addition, by monitoring vehicle diagnostics and sending maintenance reminders, telematics apps help prevent costly breakdowns. This proactive approach extends the lifespan of fleet vehicles and keeps operations running smoothly.

The value of telematics extends beyond cost savings—they also play a key role in shaping safer, more accountable teams. Regular driver feedback, performance tracking, and safety reminders foster awareness and encourage a culture of safety. “When safety is built into the way you operate every day, it becomes second nature,” McMillan shares. “That awareness reduces risks and keeps operations running without costly interruptions.”

The Central Difference

With commercial auto insurance rates on the rise, adopting fleet telematics is a proven way to lower risks, control costs, and promote a stronger safety culture. As insurers increasingly reward proactive risk management, integrating these tools into your fleet operations can lead to measurable savings while boosting driver safety and productivity.

“Everyone knows how to use a smartphone, and most folks are pretty tech-savvy now,” McMillan adds. “These tools are easy to integrate into daily operations, and their real-time data makes a huge difference in risk prevention.”

Partnering with an insurance carrier, like Central, that understands your industry’s unique risks and operational demands is just as important as choosing a telematics solution that fits your operations and culture. Central takes a collaborative approach—offering not only coverage, but also guidance to address challenges, enhance safety protocols, and support long-term success. With Central, you gain a true partner who shares your dedication to excellence and works alongside you to protect your people, operations, and bottom line.