Daily Motor News – Monday 27 July 2026 

Drivers absorb cost of fuel price surge linked to geopolitical tensions as traffic increases on England’s major roads 

New analysis shows that traffic and average speeds on England’s strategic road network increased in March and April despite a surge in fuel prices, suggesting drivers are having to absorb rising costs. The analysis, based on Freedom of Information data obtained by Co-op Insurance from National Highways, shows that motorists covered the equivalent of 15 million additional vehicle miles per week, on average, between weeks 10 and 17 in 2026, compared to the same period in 2025. Read more

You don’t need to pay to claim: FCA launches nationwide car finance campaign 

Research by the FCA found that 27% of car finance customers lack confidence to make a complaint without using a claims management company (CMC) or law firm, despite free tools from the FCA being available. Read more

European Insurance 2026 Mid-Year Outlook: Profitability To Hold Up 

Most European insurers will see decent profitability with muted growth over the remainder of the year. Investment returns are improving, but not stellar due to the slow replacement of low yield bonds purchased before 2022. We believe the European insurers we rate are well placed to weather to potential challenges such as inflation and volatility risk in financial markets. This is due to their focus on technical profitability, prudent asset allocation and material capital surplus. Read more

Aviva: Kelly Whittington on our customer-first, data-driven claims strategy 

Claims are when partnerships are truly tested. It’s the moment customers discover whether they’ve chosen the right insurer, and where brokers need confidence that the partner they’ve recommended will deliver. Read more

Don’t put a foot wrong: Allianz UK warns summer footwear could drive up accident risk 

As motorists take to the roads this summer, Allianz UK is urging drivers not to overlook their choice of footwear and opt for safety over convenience. According to new research nearly half (49%) of UK motorists admit to driving in at least one type of insecure footwear. Read more

Why evidential quality matters in BHR data 

Article contributed by BHR Assist 

Basic Hire Rate (BHR) evidence has become an increasingly important part of credit hire claims, helping to inform settlement decisions, litigation strategy and the evidence presented before the courts. As claims become more closely scrutinised, the quality and provenance of that data are attracting greater attention. Read more

Met police break their own record for seizing illegal e-bikes 

London’s Metropolitan Police have already confiscated more illegal e-bikes and e-scooters in 2026 than during the entirety of last year, as authorities continue an aggressive enforcement campaign targeting illegally modified micromobility vehicles. Read more

The new rules of competition 

One of the most interesting conversations at ARC360 2026 came not from a repairer, insurer or technology provider, but from a brand that, until recently, many in the room may never have encountered. Read more

London taxi fleet expert says availability remains largely unchanged as drivers compete for a shrinking pool of highly valued used cabs 

The shortage of new purpose-built taxis continues to drive strong demand for used vehicles, with drivers increasingly competing for a limited number of secondhand cabs as uncertainty over the next generation of taxis continues. Read more

Third of dealers see growing market for 100,000-mile used cars 

More than a third of dealers believe there is a growing market for used cars with over 100,000 miles on the clock, according to new research. July’s Startline Used Car Tracker found that 35% of dealers surveyed see an expanding market for higher-mileage used cars. Read more

Minster Law shares updates 

Minster Law has published the latest edition of its Legal & Regulatory Digest, providing an overview of some of the key legal and regulatory developments affecting the claims sector. Compiled by Stuart Hanley, Director of Legal Practice at Minster Law, the June edition covers a range of issues. Read more

LKQ Europe welcomes Commission recognition of need to modernize aftermarket competition rules 

LKQ Europe has welcomed the European Commission’s evaluation of the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation (MVBER), saying it validates longstanding concerns about independent workshops’ access to the parts, technical information, vehicle data and diagnostic capabilities needed to repair modern vehicles. Read more

Insurance sector must include every layer of organisation to succeed with AI changes 

As organisations of all kinds look to adopt AI tools in their operations, a new study has explored how CEOs and senior executives are approaching AI adoption in the insurance sector. According to Oxbow Partners, while the technology sits high in terms of C-suite investment priorities, almost seven-in-ten employees are worried about the way these changes may reshape the industry for the worse. Read more

From consultation to compromise, why the eVED needs skilled people 

The government deserves credit for listening to industry on the practicalities of Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED). Several of the decisions in its consultation response reflect points raised by the IMI, including avoiding mandatory telematics, using existing VED and DVLA systems, linking mileage validation to the MOT, and recognising the need for workable arrangements for fleets, leasing businesses and vehicle lifecycle events. Read more

Addressing AI, quantum, human agency and catastrophic risk 

Boards and C-suites increasingly recognize that artificial intelligence and quantum computing can no longer be treated as future issues. Both technologies are reshaping risk, resilience and competitive advantage today. At the same time, debates about catastrophic or “p(doom),” the probability that advanced technologies could create catastrophic outcomes, have moved into mainstream boardroom conversations. Read more