Daily Motor News-Friday 18 October

ISPs urge commission to deliver vehicle data proposal in 100 days plan 

Ten European associations, representing independent service providers (ISPs) in the automotive aftermarket, have urged the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to deliver legislation on access to in-vehicle data as part of 100 days’ plan. 

In an open letter, they say, “While we appreciate your Commission’s efforts to reduce and simplify regulation where possible, this must not lead to deregulation. In this case, complementary regulation is indispensable to remove barriers to competition and foster investment in services that utilise in-vehicle data.” Full story

EU opens up spare car parts market to competition 

The European Union has adopted a clause on harmonised repair that opens up the vehicle bodywork repair industry to competition. However, the measure is subject to a transition period, meaning its full effects may be delayed by many years in some EU member states. Full story

Robertsons launches enhanced Audit & Assurance service 

Robertsons, the full-service third party administrator (TPA), has launched its enhanced Audit & Assurance service, aimed at improving efficiency and compliance within the insurance claims supply chain sector. The service, born out of decades of senior level experience, provides top-down analytical review of operational resilience through to granular claim performance. Full story

MS Amlin enhances fraud detection capabilities through Synectics partnership 

The European unit of MS Amlin has expanded its partnership with data insight specialist Synectics in a strategic move that will enhance fraud detection and prevention measures at the quote, policy, and claims stages, across multiple lines of business. Full story

Admiral and Direct Line shares sink as Labour takes aim at ‘spiralling’ car insurance costs 

Shares in insurance heavyweights Admiral and Direct Line slumped on Wednesday after the government unveiled a new taskforce to tackle the “spiralling” cost of motor insurance. The Department for Transport said the taskforce aimed to stabilise or reduce motor insurance premiums while maintaining appropriate levels of cover. Full story

Cautious response to government’s motor insurance taskforce 

Claimant representatives have raised concerns about a new government taskforce that promises to “crack down” on rising motor insurance premiums, including the lack of a legal representative. The announcement came as Financial Conduct Authority figures showed that premiums have grown by an average of 21% since June 2022, far higher than in the other major European economies. Full story

RAC warns learners to beware of the driving test booking ‘black market’  

With the average post-pandemic wait for a practical driving test still at around four-and-a-half months across England and Wales, the RAC is warning learners to avoid websites offering to book or alert them to available test slots, and only ever use the official Government site. Since January 2023, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), which is responsible for the driving test, has issued 283 warnings, 746 suspensions and closed 689 businesses for misuse of its booking service. Full story

Corporate greed drives up car premiums—not a rise in claims 

The huge disparity, in contrast to European counterparts such as France, where it has risen by only two per cent raises serious questions about the motor insurance industry in the UK. This is only further heightened by the fact that UK insurers have revealed the amount they paid for motor claims went up by about 18% last year. Full story

Claims fraud and GenAI – fighting smart! 

Philip White, lawyer at The Legal Director, has explored how insurers are using generative AI to tackle claims fraud. He has discussed the escalating tech battle with fraudsters, regulatory considerations, and the need for a balanced approach, combining AI tools with human oversight to effectively counter deepfake risks in insurance. Full story

Solera extends partnership with F&P 

Solera has extended its strategic partnership with F&P, the Danish trade association for insurance companies and pension funds, by integrating its Sustainable Estimatics tool into the Autotaks platform. Full story

‘Drop in UK electric car demand is short term,’ car maker MG insists as sales surge 40% 

Car maker MG has insisted that a drop in electric car interest is “short term” as sales of its vehicles surged last year in the UK. The company said that last year sales surged to £1.4bn from £1bn a year earlier. Full story

VW Emergency Assist video goes viral 

A Volkswagen video showing how its Emergency Assist brings a vehicle to a stop after the driver is no longer responding has been viewed more than 50 million times on TikTok in less than a week. Full story

Ryds Bilglas unveils new site 

Sweden’s largest repair company Ryds Bilglas has opened a new workshop in Umeå’s sustainable GreenZone area. Ryds Bilglas is owned by Cary Group, which also owns ILC Corporate Partner National Windscreens. Full story

Copart Muscat partnership with Al Madina Takaful 

Al Madina Takaful (SAOG), a leading provider of innovative customer-focused insurance solutions to individuals and corporations in the Sultanate of Oman, has signed a strategic agreement with Copart Muscat Auctions (LLC) to provide automated vehicle auction services ensuring a seamless process for salvage management. Full story