Daily Motor News – Friday 20 February 2026

ILC launches MGA Claims Conference Better Tomorrow

ILC has released its MGA Claims Conference Better Tomorrow – the official post-event publication – capturing key insights, expert commentary, and standout moments from the sector’s flagship event. Read more

CII responds to Coroner’s Report on young driver safety

The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) has today (19 February 2026) issued its formal response to the Coroner’s Office of Coventry and Warwickshire following the Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths concerning the tragic loss of Harry Purcell and Matilda (Tilly) Seccombe. Read more

Precision Repair Group joins ILC as Motor Corporate Partner

Precision Repair Group (PRG) – launched in 2025 as a new national collision repair group – has joined ILC as a Motor Corporate Partner. PRG brings together leading independent repairers from across the UK to deliver high-quality repair services spanning mainstream, prestige and commercial fleet. The Group has been established to support the long-term success of its partner businesses while building a resilient and sustainable national repair network, aligned to the evolving needs of insurers, fleets and OEMs. Read more

Motor claims trends signal pricing pressure beyond recent frequency relief

For much of the past two years, the UK motor market has taken cautious comfort from declining claims frequency. Fewer reported accidents have eased short-term loss ratio pressure. Whether that represents a lasting shift is less certain. Read more

Minor bump becomes major dishonesty as Keoghs and Somerset Bridge Group defeat £140k claim

A minor parked car collision which became a claim for more than £140,000 has been found dishonest at trial, with Keoghs and Somerset Bridge Group defeating the hugely inflated claim. What began as a relatively inconsequential knock to a parked car’s rear nearside corner swiftly escalated when the claimant switched accident management company to Stocalfe Response Ltd. Read more

QBE announces Full Year 2025 result

QBE today announced its full year 2025 financial results, reporting a statutory net profit after tax of $2,157 million, which increased from $1,779 million in FY24. Adjusted net profit after tax increased to $2,132 million from $1,729 million in the prior year, resulting in an adjusted return on equity of 19.8%. Read more

10 minutes with… Dean Witherington, Chief Claims Officer (UK), Wakam (UK)

In a fast-moving sector like insurance claims, the sharpest minds are often too busy to sit still – which is why we invited Dean Witherington, Chief Claims Officer (UK), Wakam (UK) to give us 10 minutes of honesty, perspective, and insight… Read more

The most stolen cars in the UK

Don’t be fooled into thinking that if you buy a new or nearly new car it will be impervious to thieves, because the majority of the cars stolen in the UK last year were just a couple of years old. Although the problem of car theft abated slightly in 2025 — 54,830 vehicles reported stolen compared with 61,343 the previous year — that still equates to 150 cars taken every day and 10.4 every minute of the year. Read more

SMMT Motor Industry Facts 2026

The automotive industry is a vital part of the UK economy and integral to supporting the delivery of the agendas for levelling up, net zero, advancing global Britain, and the plan for growth. Automotive-related manufacturing contributes £92 billion turnover and £25 billion value added to the UK economy, and typically invest around £4 billion each year in R&D. Read more

The “European vehicle”: Choosing sovereignty over dependency

Ahead of the anticipated publication of the Industrial Accelerator Act, CLEPA’s President, Matthias Zink, and Vice-Presidents, Iñigo Laskurain, Jean-Luc di Paola Galloni, and Marco Stella, have issued an open letter urging President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Commissioners to take decisive action to support European suppliers against mounting unfair competition. Read more

Position paper – REACH revision: The automotive industry perspective

The automotive industry has successfully worked towards the objectives of Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). For many years, however, we have realised several shortcomings that would benefit from introducing various amendments. We therefore welcome the opportunity to support the upcoming targeted REACH revision. Read more

Mitsubishi in ‘advanced negotiations’ with retailers as brand targets 60 dealer partners

Mitsubishi is in ‘advanced negotiations’ with potential dealer partners as the Japanese brand prepares to return to the UK. The outfit is hoping to have its first retailers appointed within the next few months, almost six years after the manufacturer pulled out of Britain. Read more

Anticipation builds for ARC360 2026 with new speakers and key industry backing

Excitement is building for ARC360 2026, with more than 70 senior insurance leaders confirmed to attend and a growing speaker line-up set to deliver powerful insight and strategy for the vehicle repair and motor claims sector. Taking place on Thursday 21 May at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon, ARC360 2026 brings together the sector’s most influential voices for a day of high-level discussion, market intelligence and future-focused collaboration. Read more

Safety first! ADAS prevents accidents for almost half of UK van drivers

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ latest research reveals that Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) helped almost half (45%) of the UK’s van drivers to avoid one or more accidents in 2025. Read more

European Commission remains committed to halving road deaths by 2030

The European Commission published its report to track progress towards the EU’s goal of halving road deaths and serious injuries by 2030. While progress has been made in reducing road fatalities, it reveals that the current pace is insufficient. Read more

Qualcomm and Tata Electronics Partner to Manufacture Qualcomm Automotive Modules in India

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., and Tata Electronics announced a collaboration between the companies under which Tata Electronics, a leading electronics and semiconductor manufacturing company in India, will serve as a manufacturing partner for Qualcomm® Automotive Modules. Read more

Supply Chains & Stability: Why Toyota is Looking Beyond BEVs

Toyota is broadening its supply chain, adopting a multi-pathway strategy that prioritises diversification over singular focus. Through the creation of a varied product portfolio, the company is establishing resilience against market volatility rather than concentrating its investment in a single area. Read more

EU’s Industrial Accelerator Act to require 70% local content in EVs

The EU plans to require electric vehicle manufacturers that receive state support to source 70% of their car components from within the trading bloc. This will include 25% of aluminium products that are low-carbon, while for steel the requirement will focus on meeting a 25% low-carbon threshold without rules-of-origin conditions, Fastmarkets heard on Wednesday February 18. Read more

National Windscreens has added the Ford E-Transit to its service vehicle fleet. The business is also continuing to invest in its charging infrastructure across its workshops.

YTL Live, the operating company for the new live entertainment complex in Bristol, has today announced Aviva, the UK’s leading diversified insurer, as the new partner of Bristol’s 20,000 capacity indoor arena, marking a major milestone in the delivery of one of Europe’s most ambitious live entertainment venues. Read more

Autonomous vehicles are a growing, strategically important technology for the U.S., and new approaches are needed to help Americans of all backgrounds find opportunities as it expands. Waymo is delighted to announce a new partnership with the TechForce Foundation, the only national nonprofit dedicated to the advancement of professional technicians across U.S. transportation sectors, to do just that. Read more

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) has become an official partner of UK road safety charity TyreSafe, strengthening a shared commitment to improving road safety across the region and promoting safer journeys for all road users. Read more