Welcome to this week’s edition of Daily Motor News, where we spotlight key developments impacting motor insurance claims and the broader automotive sector. From rising claim trends to enforcement efforts against uninsured drivers, these insights provide a comprehensive view of the evolving risk landscape.
Recent research highlights that nearly half of all car insurance claims involve accidental damage without injury, followed by windscreen damage, injury-related accidents, and theft. These trends offer valuable insights for claims management and policy refinement. Read more.
Meanwhile, uninsured drivers remain a significant liability, with millions owed to the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) from crash-related compensation payouts. Insurers continue to recoup losses, but enforcement remains a challenge. Read more.
In a proactive effort, Operation Tutelage has been launched to reduce the number of uninsured vehicles on UK roads. Police Scotland is contacting owners of uninsured cars, urging compliance before legal action is taken. Read more.
Vehicle theft remains a critical issue, with police successfully dismantling organised crime rings responsible for stealing high-value vehicles. Investigations have led to multiple convictions, underscoring the ongoing battle against theft and fraud. Read about Essex’s case and West Yorkshire’s case.
In the regulatory space, consultations are now open in Australia on updates to the Motor Vehicle Insurance and Repair Industry Code of Conduct, with stakeholders invited to provide feedback on key areas such as repair methods, assessment times, and dispute resolution. Read more.
The most common car insurance claims
Accidental damage without injury – such as a collision where no one was hurt – is the most common type of car insurance claim, Which? research has found.Our survey of 4,719 car insurance customers who’d made a claim in the past two years revealed accidental damage without injury accounted for 49% of claims. Windscreen damage came second, with 16%. While 12% of claims were for accidental damage with injuries, and 11% for theft or burglary. Full story
Uninsured drivers owe millions to motor insurers’ group following crash compensation payouts
Uninsured drivers who were involved in dozens of accidents – some of them catastrophic – are still on the hook for millions of euro in costs related to the incidents.
They owe the money to the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI), which has secured judgments against them following the crashes. In the past four years it has recouped €2m from uninsured drivers. So far this year alone, the MIBI has secured a total of €416,000 in judgments against nine individuals across the country. Full story
Operation launched to reduce number of uninsured drivers on UK roads
Police Scotland is part of Operation Tutelage which aims to reduce the number of uninsured drivers on the UK’s roads. Motorists throughout the country may have received a letter from Police Scotland about their vehicle. The letter is not a notice of prosecution. It is for information. Owners can check if there’s valid insurance on their vehicle. They can then continue to use it on the road. Full story
Millions of motorists breaking Highway Code when driving with their dogs
Dog owners have been warned they may be breaking the law when driving with their beloved pets. Vet Dr James Greenwood said, “This is about driving with pets not properly restrained. Interestingly, six in 10 dog-owning drivers admit to breaking the law and travelling with unrestrained pets in the car.” Full story
Detectives solve car theft conspiracy involving 70 stolen vehicles
An investigation by the Essex Police Serious Organised Crime Unit has identified the criminals behind more than 70 keyless vehicle thefts across Essex, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and London, with a combined value of more than £1.3m. Appearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on 4 March, Jack Reid was jailed for three years and nine months, while Connor Jones was sentenced to four years and 11 months imprisonment. Full story
Gang who stole more than £1m worth of cars jailed
Members of an organised crime group who stole more than £1m worth of cars and motorbikes from homes across West Yorkshire have been jailed. According to West Yorkshire Police, Ellis Ashley, Luke Linden, Reece Southern and Simon Hamilton targeted “high value” vehicles and threatened homeowners with weapons to make them hand over their keys. The men were caught as part of Operation Hindland, which launched following an increase in motorbike and later car thefts in Bradford and Calderdale. Full story
Drivers ‘confused’ by transition to electric vehicles, ministers warned
UK drivers are “confused” by the country’s electric car transition, ministers are being warned. Although most drivers are not hostile towards electric vehicles (EVs), many are confused about what changes are coming and when, according to new research from the AA. In a survey of more than 14,000 AA members, seven per cent thought the government was banning the sale of used petrol and diesel cars. Full story
Reports claim “substantial changes” to ZEV Mandate
Reports over the weekend have suggested that a “substantial change of policy” has been agreed by the UK Government on the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate. Speaking to The Times, business secretary Jonathan Reynolds responded to claims from Nissan that its Sunderland plant was under threat, without relaxation of the electric vehicle (EV) sales rules that are currently in place. Full story
UK Automotive collaborates globally to compete globally
The UK may no longer be in the EU but our relationship with the bloc remains critically important. The issue of defence and security looks likely to dominate that relationship and rightly so but we must also remember that our sector, like many others, is integrated operationally, with, in our case, massive volumes of vehicles and components flowing in both directions. SMMT was, therefore, pleased to visit Brussels this week to meet with colleagues at ACEA and other stakeholders to discuss how we can ensure our sectors remain at the forefront of innovation and decarbonisation. Full story
Valeo and TactoTek announce collaboration for innovative automotive lighting solutions
Valeo, a global leader in automotive lighting systems, and TactoTek, the global leader of In-Mold Structural Electronics (IMSE) technology, announced that Valeo has licensed TactoTek IMSE technology to offer advanced interior and exterior lighting applications. Full story
Hundreds of UK police officers injured in deliberate car-ramming
“The suspect was unarmed,” screams the anti-police narrative… despite a criminal using their two tons of car to deliberately drive at – and attack – police officers. Cars are weapons. And sadly ones that can badly injure police officers, if not kill.
Hundreds of UK police officers were injured in deliberate car-ramming incidents last year. Full story
A third feel less safe on ‘smart’ motorways
The survey of more than 13,500 drivers found that motorways where the hard can be switched on and off at peak times to create an additional running lane caused the highest number of respondents to say they didn’t feel safe. Full story
‘Out retailing’ competitors key to profitability growth not ‘out selling’ research finds
At a time when margins are under increasing pressure, Auto Trader has released the latest edition of its Road Ahead for Automotive Retailing report, featuring brand-new research and analysis into driving profitability within an increasingly complex retail landscape. With market dynamics and consumer behaviours shifting rapidly, retailers need to focus on ‘out retailing’ their competitors rather than simply trying to ‘out sell’ them. Full story
Consultations open on updated smash repair code
Australia: Stakeholder feedback is being sought on changes to the revised Motor Vehicle Insurance and Repair Industry Code of Conduct.
The code administration committee wants to hear about changes to several key areas, including sanctions and penalties, assessment and estimations times, methods of repair and dispute resolution. Full story
KC Autos Blackburn received a 100% pass for its recent BS10125:2022 audit from BSI.
Natalie Decordova has started a new position as Account Manager at DAC Beachcroft.
Paul Barton has started a new role as Network Relationship Lead at Avant Repair Network.
Neil Heilbron has been appointed head of sales for Fiat, Abarth and the Fiat Professional light commercial vehicle businesses.Victoria Hatfield has joined Fiat as Marketing Director.
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