Daily Motor News – Monday 30 March 2026

ILC ARTICLE

30th March 2026

Today’s Daily Motor News highlights the growing complexity and scrutiny across all corners of the motor claims landscape, from regulatory reform to consumer behaviour and evolving risk.

A new multi-agency taskforce has been launched to clamp down on poor practices in motor finance claims. Ahead of the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) final announcement on its compensation scheme, SmartSearch has also urged claims firms to prepare or risk non-compliance.

Meanwhile, insurers are seeing the effects of real-world pressures. Tesco Insurance has reported a record rise in pothole-related claims, while van insurance premiums are climbing once more after a year of decline. At the same time, Admiral Business has entered the taxi insurance market, expanding its commercial portfolio.

In automotive, weak global demand and local restructuring have driven UK vehicle production to its lowest level in decades, prompting a government review of flagship EV policy.

Elsewhere, Trend Tracker data suggests the market continues its pivot toward total loss outcomes, reinforcing the need for strategic responses across the sector.

From vehicle supply and pricing to claims processes and regulation, the industry is moving fast – and staying informed remains critical.

Regulators launch joint taskforce to crack down on poor practice in motor finance claims

A new taskforce will tackle poor handling of motor finance claims by some claims management companies (CMCs) and law firms, after the FCA, Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) agreed to join up their efforts. Read more

Pothole insurance claims hit record high, Tesco data shows

Pothole-related car insurance claims in the UK have reached record levels, according to new data from Tesco Insurance, with the company settling 12% more pothole damage claims in January 2026 than in the entire second half of 2025. Read more

Compensation details for millions of drivers set to be revealed

Millions of drivers will find out how they can claim compensation for mis-sold car finance when the financial regulator outlines its final rules on the scheme. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will publish its final decision late this afternoon, detailing the payout programme for 14 million motor finance agreements. Read more

EU road deaths drop by 3% in 2025

The European Commission has released preliminary figures on road fatalities for 2025, reporting around 19,400 deaths. This represents a 3% decrease from 2024, meaning that 580 fewer people died on European roads. Given the increase in vehicles on EU roads and kilometres driven, this is a significant achievement. Read more

Van insurance prices start rising again after a year of decline, new data shows

Van insurance premiums are beginning to rise again after a year of falling prices, signalling a potential turning point in the market, according to the latest Van Insurance Price Index from Consumer Intelligence. Read more

esure posts annual reports

esure Insurance Ltd has posted its 2025 Solvency and Financial Report, meanwhile esure Group plc has published its 2025 Annual Report and Accounts. Read more

Admiral Business launches new Taxi insurance proposition for public and private hire drivers

Admiral Business, a specialist insurer dedicated to supporting SMEs, sole traders and contractors, has launched a new Taxi insurance proposition for public and private hire drivers across the UK. This marks the first time the business has entered the taxi market and reflects the team’s continued focus on expanding into specialist commercial insurance sectors. Read more

Almost a third of drivers re offend after attending speed awareness course

New research by Churchill Motor Insurance shows that 29% of motorists have attended a speed awareness course, with 11% doing so in the last three years. However, despite the educational focus of these courses, nearly a third (31%) of attendees say they went on to receive further speeding tickets afterwards. Read more

Exclusive 20-year agreement with Saga strengthens Ageas’s offer in UK for people aged 50+

In 2025, Ageas UK further strengthened its position for people aged over 50 by finalising an exclusive 20-year partnership agreement with Saga, an established UK brand specialising in products and services in the over 50’s market. Read more

Govt reviewing flagship EV sale quotas after biggest car production fall in 73 years

The government is reviewing its electric car sale quotas – one of its flagship green policies. With 2025 having the lowest vehicle production in the UK since 1952, ministers are now looking at how to change the zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate, the government confirmed. Read more

Vehicle production down again amid weak global demand

UK vehicle production fell -17.2% in February, with 68,061 units leaving factories, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Output comprised 65,885 cars (down -10.7%) and 2,176 commercial vehicles (-74.0%) as export demand in markets outside Europe remained weak, model changeovers impacted output and CV volumes continued to be affected by a major plant restructuring. Read more

The automotive map is being redrawn – Europe must decide its place 

Extreme economic pressure and geopolitical tensions continue to mount, and everyone is waiting for Europe’s next move hoping that it doesn’t end at abstract ambitions or roadmaps. Suppliers have already lost 104,000 jobs since 2024 to political inaction. Strategic autonomy is the only path forward to secure our automotive future – and the industry can’t wait any longer. Read more

Muhammad Nauman Nasir of Mercedes-Benz on building safe, AI-driven, human-centered autonomous systems

In this interview with Focal Point Positioning, Muhammad Nauman Nasir, ADAS lead at Mercedes-Benz, explains how cutting-edge vehicle autonomy balances innovation, safety and trust – emphasizing that in ADAS, every line of code carries both a moral and a technical responsibility. Read more

Bosses blame £300m tax hike as disabled Motability users face higher costs

Changes to the Motability scheme are set to leave disabled drivers facing higher bills, as the system continues to face fierce political scrutiny. Bosses at Motability say the firm needs to offset £300m of new taxes, imposed following last year’s Budget, with costs – in part, at least – set to be passed on to users. Read more

New consumer protection enforcement cases launched

Using new powers under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, the CMA has opened investigations into 5 businesses that it suspects may have infringed consumer law with their practices in relation to online reviews including AutoTrader. Read more

Trend Tracker: The acceleration of total loss

Following the thought-provoking piece from e2e (https://iloveclaims.com/partner-articles/the-future-of-total-loss-belongs-to-the-few-who-choose-differently/), Trend Tracker has reviewed its data and believes the last five years have reshaped the economics of repair, 2025 seeing a market tipping decisively toward total loss. Read more

SmartSearch urges FCA readiness ahead of motor finance scheme

SmartSearch is warning claims firms to act now or risk compliance breaches, as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) prepares to publish final rules for its motor finance compensation scheme on 30 March 2026. Read more

Kennedys recognised in GAR 100 for excellence in international arbitration

Kennedys has been included in this year’s Global Arbitration Review (GAR) 100, the definitive guide of the world’s leading law firms in international arbitration. Widely recognised as the benchmark for excellence in international arbitration, GAR’s 19th edition reflects a rigorous, global assessment of the market. Our inclusion reinforces the firm’s strong global presence, established reputation, and consistent involvement in complex, high-value disputes across a wide range of sectors. Read more

Drivers undeterred by fuel price concerns with nearly 21m Easter getaway trips planned

Drivers are committed to making the most of the four-day Easter bank holiday despite sharply rising fuel prices, with nearly 21m leisure journeys planned, according to a new study of drivers’ getaway plans by the RAC and traffic analytics specialists INRIX. Read more

Stored over winter? check your tyres before you tow

As caravan, motorhome and trailer owners prepare to take vehicles out of winter storage, TyreSafe is urging road users to prioritise tyre safety, as new data highlights the growing scale of towing-related incidents on UK roads. Read more

Palantir Technologies Inc has announced the renewal and expansion of its longstanding partnership with Stellantis. The new fiveyear agreement continues a collaboration that began in 2016, supporting Stellantis in the ongoing industrialization and secure use of data and artificial intelligence across the company.

Deloitte UK has announced Darren Graves as its next senior partner and chief executive, following a confirmatory vote by the firm’s partners. He will succeed Richard Houston, the firm’s outgoing senior partner and chief executive, who will lead the newly formed Deloitte EMEA from 1 June 2026.

FMG has been awarded a contract renewal by Alphabet for the ongoing provision of incident management services. FMG will continue to provide 24/7 vehicle and driver support when Alphabet’s leasing customers are involved in vehicle incidents, with services including incident reporting, vehicle repair and downtime management.

QBE Insurance Group Ltd has announced that Kathy Lisson will step down from the QBE Group Board at the completion of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 8 May 2026, following her decision to retire.