Daily Motor News – Monday 8 December 2025

Today’s updates span urgent safety messages, major industry developments, and a glimpse into the future of automotive mobility.

Startling figures from IAM RoadSmart reveal that nearly half of young drivers admit to illegally texting at the wheel, renewing calls for targeted awareness and enforcement as seasonal road risks increase (IAM RoadSmart).

In wider industry news, ILC welcomed National Accident Repair Group (NARG) as a Motor Corporate Partner – further strengthening collaboration across the repair and claims ecosystem (ILC). And in the evolving EV landscape, new insights underline the cost pressures shaping electric vehicle repair and claims trends (Gecko Risk)

Elsewhere, Precision Repair Group has made a strategic move into London through its investment in Fast Track Accident Repair Centre, expanding its operational footprint across the UK (Precision Repair Group).

From safety and sustainability to talent and innovation, these developments capture an industry preparing for the challenges ahead – driven by partnership, technology and a shared commitment to building a ‘better tomorrow’.

Nearly half of young drivers illegally use phones to text at the wheel

Almost half (43%) of drivers aged 17-24 admit to illegally writing or reading a message at the wheel while driving, while a third (34%) confess to using a handheld mobile phone to record footage or take a photo while driving. Read more

NARG joins ILC as Motor Corporate Partner

ILC has welcomed National Accident Repair Group (NARG) as a Motor Corporate Partner, strengthening collaboration across the motor insurance claims supply chain. Read more

Weather warnings issued – as ‘half a month’s rain to fall in 24 hours’ for some

More than half a month’s rainfall could hit some parts of the UK in just a 24-hour period, the Met Office has warned. A yellow weather warning for rain comes into effect from 6pm on Monday, and will be in place for 24 hours, covering parts of southwest England and Wales, and stretching to parts of Herefordshire and Hampshire. Read more

Yoga Lite launches with Ageas

Having appointed Ageas to its private car and van panel and home insurance, Yoga has now launched Yoga Lite with Ageas. This new essentials style product is part of Yoga’s mission to offer the best quality insurance for the cheapest possible price. This new product offers customers the option of budget friendly comprehensive car insurance with fewer added benefits. Read more

Top litigation funder puts consumer claims fund into liquidation

Katch Fund Solutions – which is funding consumer claims worth hundreds of millions of pounds – has put its litigation fund into liquidation, it has emerged. Read more

Ageas to take full ownership of AG Insurance and formalise long term partnership with BNP Paribas

Ageas SA/NV has today announced the acquisition of the outstanding 25% stake in its Belgian subsidiary AG Insurance SA/NV from BNP Paribas Fortis SA/NV. This transaction further accelerates and upgrades Ageas’s Elevate27 strategic and financial ambitions for the second time this year. Read more

ACSO comments on Q3 2025 Civil Justice Statistics Quarterly

Commenting on the latest Civil Justice Statistics, which measure the time taken for civil cases to reach the courts, Matthew Maxwell Scott, executive director of the Association of Consumer Support Organisations (ACSO), whose members represent consumers in the civil justice system, welcomed two successive quarters of improvement and suggested that “at last the tide seems to be turning for court delays.” Read more

Casualty Data Review

Welcome to our quarterly casualty data review. The below interactive document features analysis and forecasting on both casualty injury and disease claims in the MOJ portal. Read more

Spruce on the loose! Secure your Christmas tree before hitting the road

Aviva is urging drivers to take caution as they get ready to deck the halls, with research showing 8% have had a Christmas tree come loose or slip from their vehicle while transporting it home. The survey of 2,000 people also revealed that a further 7% had witnessed one falling from someone else’s vehicle whilst it was being transported. Read more

Next step on the UK rollout of self-driving vehicles as public, charities and businesses asked for their views

The government is asking road users, industry and disability groups to help shape the framework, which will ensure self-driving technology is safely introduced on Britain’s roads. Read more

Thatcham Research comments on Government Automated Vehicles consultation

Thatcham Research will be taking part in the UK Government’s Developing the automated vehicles regulatory framework consultation as part of its ongoing engagement with Government around the sustainable introduction of Automated Vehicles onto UK roads. Read more

EV growth and repair cost trends shape market outlook

The latest electric vehicle (EV) insights from Gecko Risk point to a market balancing growth in adoption with evolving cost considerations – trends that continue to shape claims and repair dynamics across the UK. Read more

Autonomous vehicle rollouts accelerate amid safety concerns

US: The autonomous vehicle industry is hitting the gas pedal hard this week. Waymo started testing in Philadelphia while Uber and Avride launched robotaxi service in Dallas, but federal regulators are asking tough questions about safety incidents including illegal school bus passes and a tragic cat fatality that’s sparking new controversy. Read more

Precision Repair Group expands into London with Fast Track investment

Precision Repair Group (PRG) has announced its latest strategic move with the investment in Fast Track Accident Repair Centre – marking the group’s first major expansion beyond the North of England and its entry into the London market. Read more

Insurance experts warn against using this ‘clever’ Christmas present hiding place

A new survey from Go.Compare has found that more than one in nine Brits (11%)* – approximately 5 million nationwide – plan to hide Christmas presents in their car boot this year, putting potentially millions of pounds worth of gifts at risk of theft. Read more

50,000 new apprenticeships promised in youth employment push

An expansion of the government’s apprenticeship scheme is expected to benefit 50,000 young people as part of a push to tackle youth unemployment. The number of young people starting apprenticeships has fallen by almost 40% in the past decade, Skills Minister Baroness Jacqui Smith told the BBC. Read more

Caliber Collision Just Opened An Auto Body Shop In A Shopping Center: Why More Collision Centers In Repurposed Strip Malls May Be On The Way

US: One of Caliber Collision’s newest auto body shops recently opened in a rather unique space for a collision center: A repurposed former Big Lots store which anchors a Tucson, Arizona strip mall. Read more

Swiss Re announces its targets for 2026, including a Group net income of USD 4.5 billion, supported by an updated strategy. The Group aims to complement the ordinary dividend with a sustainable annual share buyback programme, starting in 2026 at USD 500 million. Read more

Colin Davies has started a new role as Vice President – Lead Third Party Management Claims at Swiss Re.

Nova Lakeside, a site built in an incredible nine weeks and designed with the future firmly in mind, has officially opened its doors. Read more

Owen Edwards is starting a new position as Co-Head of Automotive at Interpath.