Daily Motor News – Friday 03 July 2026  

Allianz launches Slick Cover car insurance 

Allianz UK is providing more choice for UK motorists with the launch of a new digital-first insurance provider, ‘Slick Cover’. It has been created as a managing general agent (MGA), allowing Allianz to quickly develop new digital propositions. Slick Cover went from being an idea to selling its first motor policy in just under six months. Read more

Five years on: reflections on the OIC Portal and what comes next 

As the Official Injury Claim Portal passes its fifth anniversary, Donna Scully, Owner/Director of Carpenters Group, says it offers a timely moment for reflection. Read more

The complicated web that surrounds liability decisions for battery electric vehicles 

As the BEV car parc expands, questions continue to arise around BEV-specific liability issues. We are regularly receiving enquiries from clients seeking guidance on which policy will respond in circumstances where the charging of the BEV leads to damage – whether that be injuries caused by a slip or trip, or first party impact or fire damage to the vehicle or the home. Read more

Research highlights risks in high-volume consumer claims sector 

A new report has found that, while high-volume consumer claims can provide an important route to redress, many people experience problems or are unclear about what they have signed up to. Read more

Motor finance scheme partially suspended 

The Upper Tribunal has confirmed it will hear the legal challenges to the FCA’s motor finance scheme on 14 to 18 December 2026 or 16 to 26 February 2027. The final dates depend on whether any of those involved in the case apply for further expert opinion or disclosure of information, and whether any such application is successful. Read more

NFU Mutual: Are electric cars more expensive to insure than petrol cars? 

If you’ve started looking at electric cars, you’ve probably noticed something odd. Running costs look lower, servicing looks simpler, but insurance quotes can come back higher than expected. Read more

Aioi R&D Lab – Oxford wins prestigious UK-Japan Award 

The Aioi R&D Lab – Oxford launched at the end of 2022 by Aioi Nissay Dowa Europe and Mind Foundry has won recognition in the British Business Awards 2023. Organised by the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan, the Awards recognise the best of UK-Japan relations, as well as British excellence, innovation, diversity, entrepreneurship and responsible business contributions in Japan. Read more

Breaking in and scaling fast: how Chinese carmakers are reshaping Europe 

For decades, Europe’s automotive industry set the global benchmark. Engineering precision, premium positioning and long-established brands created a market that defined quality and innovation. Manufacturers from Germany, France and Italy shaped not only consumer expectations, but also the structure of the global industry itself. Read more

How the UK can safeguard its domestic auto sector 

SMMT’s annual International Automotive Summit always seems to take place at politically ‘interesting’ times. At the height of tariff threats last year; during a General Election two years ago; just after the Brexit referendum a decade ago. This year’s event was no different, with a new Prime Minister on the way and urgent threats facing the UK automotive sector. Read more

AkzoNobel achieves 50% carbon reduction target four years ahead of schedule 

A strong determination to lead by example has resulted in AkzoNobel already achieving its 2030 ambition of halving carbon emissions in its own operations. Validated by the Science Based Targets initiative, the company set a target in 2020 to lower its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50%, with 2018 as a baseline. Reaching it four years ahead of schedule highlights how strongly sustainability has become part of AkzoNobel’s day-to-day business. Read more

AI: same game, different rules 

Watch WTW’s Magda Ramada and Matt Lambert discuss how AI is reshaping insurance from data liberation to agentic systems, and what organisations must do to embed expertise and scale impact. Read more

UK motorists experienced the fastest monthly fall in diesel prices since 2000 in June with the cost plunging by 17p a litre, according to motoring group RAC. Read more