Drivers with motor insurance policies from Aviva are being invited to trial technology which allows the insurer to use a customer's smartphone to rate their driving and adjust their premiums accordingly.

The insurer has previously trialled policies using black box telematics technology, which fits in a car and tracks a driver's behaviour and car use, but the new technology allows customers with android phones to do a similar job.

Telematics has tended to be targeted at younger drivers who face high premiums for insurance, and research suggests that as well helping them to reduce costs it also makes them safer.

Policy holders who download the Aviva RateMyDrive app will have their first 200 miles driving monitored, with the phone recording data on acceleration, braking and cornering. This is turned into a score which is used to determine their insurance premium.

Aviva said those deemed to be safe drivers could save up to 20% off their premium. However, those already paying less than £200 a year will not be entitled to a discount, while those paying between £200 and £400 will have it capped at 10%.

Those whose driving does not come up to scratch will remain on Aviva's standard premium.

The insurer has tested the technology on its staff, but wants 5,000 drivers to volunteer to help. "We need a wide range of motorists to test the proposition and help us develop the final product and customer experience before we bring it fully to market," said Steve Treloar, Aviva's retail director.

"We believe that by using smartphone technology in this innovative way, Aviva will be able to tailor premiums further to individual drivers – basically the premium will be for you, not people like you."

The move comes as insurers gear up to implement EU rules which will prevent them taking into account a driver's sex when setting insurance premiums.