Daily Motor News – Monday 31 March 2025 

ILC ARTICLE

31st March 2025

This weekend’s news reflects a dynamic period across motor claims, mobility, and insurance – with developments in regulation, technology, and business operations continuing to shape the sector.

On the regulatory front, the impact of the Civil Liability Act 2018 has been revisited in light of a recent HM Treasury report. Several organisations have responded, including the Association of Consumer Support Organisations (ACSO) and the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), raising questions about the correlation between whiplash reform savings and consumer benefit. This follows broader commentary on the distribution of financial outcomes since the reforms were introduced.

In the courts, scrutiny continues over credit hire claims processes, with a recent judgement highlighting concerns around process-driven litigation. Separately, a new legal requirement now mandates motorists to provide driver numbers when arranging or renewing insurance policies in Ireland, aiming to improve verification and reduce fraud.

Technology remains central to the conversation. Industry stakeholders are exploring how AI-integrated vehicle cameras may support incident prevention in commercial fleets. In parallel, analysis of global ADAS trends suggests that Level 2+ systems are currently outpacing Level 3 in adoption, with regulatory complexity cited as a key factor. The fleet industry is also considering the operational fit of autonomous vehicles.

In the supply chain, Cary Group’s acquisition of Autoglazing expands its UK presence in automotive glass services, while TTC reports a 74% increase in driver training e-learning uptake, with more than 54,000 hours completed in 2024. Additionally, Hastings’ 2024 sustainability report outlines progress against environmental and social objectives, with a focus on supporting colleagues, customers, and communities.

As always, ILC continues to monitor and share developments shaping claims and mobility – supporting the industry as it works towards a better tomorrow.

ACSO comments on Treasury report into whiplash reforms savings

Commenting on HM Treasury’s report on the effect of the 2018 Civil Liability Act on motor insurance premium holders, Matthew Maxwell Scott, Executive Director of the Association of Consumer Support Organisations (ACSO), said: “Consumers surely deserved better than this wafer-thin report from HM Treasury, which feels like the financial services industry is marking its own homework and somehow still failing the test.” Read more

Whiplash reforms: motorists got pennies, insurers got millions

As a kid, one of my favourite shows was Take Your Pick with Des O’Connor. It was a simple concept where prizes of varying degrees were hidden behind numbered boxes, and the host offered cash in return for walking away without winning the contents of the box. Read more

Can AI Cameras Help Reduce Commercial Vehicle Claims?

It’s a valid question, as bigger vehicle claims tend to be more expensive and offer more danger to other road users as well. Artificial intelligence, in the case of road safety, when combined with vehicle camera systems, it has a revolutionary capability of preventing incidents before they occur. Here’s the word; Read more

Reaction to HM Treasury report on the effect of the Civil Liability Act 2018 on motor insurance policyholders

Jonathan Scarsbrook, immediate past president of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) said: “There has been a 71 per cent increase in motor insurance premiums since the reforms were introduced despite an 11 per cent decrease in the cost of injury claims settled by car insurers*. The evidence has always pointed to repair costs being behind rising premium prices. It’s time the Government focussed on these costs and the cost of hire vehicles rather than removing the right to full compensation for physical and psychological harm.” Read more

Judge attacks process-driven approach to credit hire claims

A senior district judge has again attacked credit hire claims, as well as a process-driven approach to bringing them, in a case where he awarded £1,200 for a claim valued at £50,200. Read more

Driver number needed for new car insurance from today

The new legal requirement for motorists to provide their driver number when renewing or taking out motor insurance is in effect.

It is now an offence for any insurance provider or broker to issue motor insurance to anyone if the driver numbers for all the named drivers on their policy are not provided. Read more

Drivers are ‘spending more than ever’ after rollout of ‘lose-lose’ car insurance law changes – ‘Furious!’

Experts have warned that drivers are losing out on car insurance claims amid calls for the Government to intervene with expensive vehicle repair costs.

The Civil Liability Act 2018 reformed the claims process for road traffic-related whiplash injuries in England and Wales. Read more

Why Level 2+ Is Outpacing Level 3 In Global ADAS Race

The promise of self-driving cars has long captivated the automotive world, but the reality of autonomous mobility has proven far more complex than once envisioned.

In 2017, Audi’s attempt to bring Level 3 (L3) autonomy to the market with its L3-ready A8 met a major roadblock, which is regulation. Without a clear legal framework to govern such advanced systems, deployment stalled—and with it, the momentum around consumer-owned L3 vehicles. Read more

Is there a place for self-driving vehicles in the fleet industry?

You’ve likely heard about the rapid advancements in self-driving vehicles. Autonomous vehicle (AV) technology promises increased efficiency and reduced labour costs, but is the industry ready for large-scale adoption? Read more

Fact check: Donald Trump’s tariff claims on auto industry

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday imposing 25% tariffs on all cars and light-duty trucks imported into the U.S., saying it would force more automakers to move production to the U.S. and lead to lower prices for vehicles for consumers. Read more

Cary Group announces acquisition of Autoglazing

Cary Group has announced it will acquire Masterglass Windscreens Limited, which trades as Autoglazing, on 1April 2025.

Cary UK, who trade as National Windscreens in the UK, describe the acquisition of this Cambridge-based automotive glass specialist as a strategic move to strengthen its presence in a high-demand region. Autoglazing will now extend National Windscreens capacity to serve customers efficiently throughout East Anglia. Read more

TTC reports a 74% year-on-year increase in e-learning for driver training

New data from training and compliance expert TTC has revealed a 74% increase in the popularity of driver training e-learning in the last year. Over 54,000 online business driver training hours were completed in 2024 including Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). This surge underlines the growing commitment of UK businesses to reduce road risk and fulfil their duty of care obligations, contributing to safer roads for everyone. Read more

Ben: Our CEO’s comment on Spring Statement 2025

Commenting on the Government’s Spring Statement, Rachel Clift, Ben’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “The recent Spring Statement announces tighter public funding with £5bn in welfare cuts and the abolition of NHS England.” Read more

Hastings Sustainability Report 2024

Hastings Group (“Hastings”, the “Group”) has published its fifth annual Sustainability Report outlining progress made against the Group’s sustainability agenda and the continued support to colleagues, customers and communities throughout 2024.

Colleagues continue to be the driving force behind our ambitious plans of growing sustainably by working to support each other, our customers and our communities for a positive future. Read more