Daily Motor News – Friday 19 December 2025  

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 

As the last ILC Daily Motor News of 2025 we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support throughout the year. 

The ILC community has continued to grow in number, extend its reach, and develop throughout the year with just shy of 12,000 engaged ‘followers’, more than 40 Corporate Partners, and 35 Insurer Partners today. 

Our events continue to be market leading – recognised for the highest calibre attendance, unrivalled networking opportunity and valuable shared insights. Supporting our events, our newsletters and the new ILC App are now also central to the ILC community providing a live platform for content and information. 

With our ‘App first’ focus, we have also significantly increased our digital content output – generating more insight, driving engagement, and helping the sector keep informed.  

And, of course, the ongoing support for our charity partner Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity is a constant via ILC Day, our networking lunch fundraising activities and ongoing promotion throughout the year. 

All of this is only possible with the support of the ILC community – and we’re excited to continue our ‘better tomorrow’ drive for 2026 and beyond. 

We will be back with our regular news feeds week beginning Monday 5 January. 

In the meantime, wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 

Motor Networking Lunch countdown begins 

Final preparations are underway for ILC’s Motor Claims Networking Lunch 2026, with the sector once again set to unite in support of Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity. Taking place on 16 January 2026 at London’s iconic Grosvenor House, Park Lane, the sell-out event will welcome more than 750 key figures from across the motor claims industry. Now nearing capacity, the lunch promises to be one of the biggest and best yet, offering high-level networking, insight and community impact in equal measure. Read more

James Daley’s response to FCA response to Which? super-complaint 

James Daley, Managing Director of consumer group Fairer Finance says that while the FCA has recognised problems in the general insurance market, its response falls short of tackling deep-rooted issues such as a race to the bottom on price, hollowed-out products, poor claims experiences, opaque comparison sites, and unfair pricing that disproportionately harms low-income consumers. Read more

Legal leaders explore ‘new normal’ in motor claims 

The UK motor claims landscape is settling into what some are calling a ‘fragile new normal’ following four years of wide-reaching legal reforms. Speaking at the ILC Exclusive Motor Claims Conference back in October, Donna Scully, Director at Carpenters Group, and Emma Fuller, Partner and Head of Motor and Casualty Market Strategy at DAC Beachcroft, offered valuable dual perspectives on the current claims environment – from both claimant and defendant viewpoints. Read more

Public backlash against whiplash claims ‘crackdown’ 

Radical reforms which slashed compensation for whiplash injuries have proven to be unfair and unpopular, new polling reveals four years on. Read more

CII: Data infrastructure and governance required for AI vulnerability management 

A new Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) roundtable report outlines the need for firms to have adequate vulnerability management data infrastructure, governance frameworks, and a supportive culture as the pre-requisite for effective implementation of AI customer vulnerability management. Read more

Van Insurance Premiums Fall 8.9% As Market Deflation Accelerates 

Quoted van insurance premiums fell 8.9% in the year to the end of November, with Q4 deflation accelerating to 3.0% in the past three months, according to the latest Consumer Intelligence Van Insurance Price Index. The sustained market decline reflects intensifying competitive dynamics as insurers manage claims experience and market positioning. Read more

Europe’s Auto Industry Future May Be Electric Even After EU Climbdown 

Brussels’ proposal to abandon a 2035 deadline for a total shift to fully electric driving allows Europe’s legacy carmakers more time to sell hybrids, but for the longer term, EVs are still the future, analysts and experts said. Read more

Drivers feel less safe as aggression and distraction rise on UK roads 

A growing number of motorists believe UK roads are becoming more hostile and less safe, with aggressive driving, road rage and distraction now key concerns, according to new research from Aviva. Read more 

Vehicle output down in November as next gen EV production poised to begin 

UK vehicle production fell by -14.3% in November with 65,932 units leaving factory lines, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The decline was driven by a slight reduction in car output, down -1.7% to 63,126 units, and a much steeper -78.0% drop in commercial vehicle (CV) output, with just 2,806 units produced – 9,943 fewer than in the same month last year. Read more

What happens in Europe matters to UK Automotive   

New data published by SMMT this week shows the fourth monthly decline in vehicle manufacturing in November which, while disappointing, is unsurprising given it continues trends seen across the year. Read more

Millions head home for Christmas on busiest day of festive getaway 

Britain’s roads, railways and airports are set to be thronged by festive travellers on what is anticipated to be the busiest day for Christmas trips. The AA has warned of gridlock on Friday, with a survey suggesting as many as 24.4 million cars could hit the roads. Read more

Financial Ombudsman Service shares a festive finance warning 

From stolen presents and fake online deals to unexpected winter weather damage and disrupted festive travel, the holiday season can bring costly surprises if things go wrong. Each year we hear from people who face substantial unexpected bills when something goes wrong over the holidays. Read more

Christmas Colouring Competition 

Ford Accident Management have launched a Christmas colouring competition on social media, open to everyone, children and adults. Read more

Exclusive: AI Insurance Startup Nirvana Nearly Doubles Valuation To $1.5B with $100M Series D 

Nirvana Insurance, an AI-based commercial insurance platform for the trucking industry, has raised a $100 million Series D round at a $1.5 billion valuation, it tells Crunchbase News exclusively. The raise comes just over nine months after the startup raised $80 million in a Series C round of funding at an $830 million valuation. Read more

Michael Reynolds will become Motor Fleet Underwriting Director at HDI UK & Ireland on 1 February 2026, leading strategy and innovation through telematics and risk management. Read more

ERS has welcomed back Gary Tuppen to its Private Client team after gaining valuable experience in broking. With 15 years’ Private Client underwriting experience and a decade previously spent at ERS, Gary’s return strengthens ERS’ capability as it builds towards its 2026 Private Client ambitions. Read more

Allianz UK is thrilled to share the success of its recent Toy Appeal, which brought together colleagues, brokers, and suppliers in a heartwarming effort to support children and young people through Barnardo’s. Read more