Daily Motor News – Thursday 16 April 2026 

Jonathan Pearson, Head of consumer policy, FCA: “The good news: the Duty [Consumer Duty] is making a difference. Firms are continuing to mature in how they use data and insights to understand their customers’ experiences. Boards are more actively shaping and scrutinising this work. Still, some areas need more attention to ensure reporting is genuinely outcome‑focused.” Read more

ARC360 countdown builds momentum 

With just weeks to go, momentum is building for ARC360 2026 as the industry prepares to come together for one of the most anticipated events in the motor claims and vehicle repair calendar. Taking place on 21 May at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon, the event is set to welcome more than 400 delegates from across insurance, repair, manufacturing and the wider supply chain. With demand high and final places remaining, the conference is fast approaching capacity. Read more

Sompo and Zego partner 

Sompo Holdings and Zego have announced a strategic partnership to develop telematics-based motor insurance products for the Japanese market, alongside a $28m (£20.6m) funding round. Read more

Year 2 Consumer Duty Board Reports: progress and what comes next 

Consumer Duty Board reports help turn governance into real change and better outcomes for consumers. Firms have improved, but more progress is needed. Read more

Fake damage and imaginary watches – how AI images are being used in insurance scams 

Fake number plates, imaginary watches and exaggerated damage have all been found in AI-generated insurance claims. Cardiff-based insurer Admiral recorded a 71% rise in fraud during 2025 compared to the previous year, partly blaming the increased use of artificial intelligence software to manipulate evidence. Read more

Transformational year positions Saga for sustained growth 

Mike Hazell, Saga’s Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “This has been a transformational year for Saga. The restructuring of our Insurance business, and the partnership with Ageas, derisks and simplifies our operating model, creating a more stable platform for growth.” Read more

Alpha’s Insurance Outlook 2026 

Alpha’s latest Insurance Outlook is available now. The industry is entering a new phase where investments in technology and AI must deliver measurable performance improvements. After years of modernisation, the focus is now on execution, efficiency, and outcomes. Read more

‘Crater’ pothole takes Transport Secretary off the road: insurance experts reveal how to claim 

With news just in that Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has been taken off the road after a ‘crater’ of a pothole took her Mini Cooper off the road, the car insurance experts at Go.Compare are urging motorists to claim back their pothole damage – and revealing how to do so. Read more

From Pilot to Partnership at Scale: Echoes and Volkswagen Group Info Services AG 

With rising pressure to cut emissions, reduce risk, and stay competitive, connected vehicle data is quickly becoming the heartbeat of modern fleet operations. As an early pilot partner for Fleet Interface Data, Echoes helped shape how authorised Volkswagen Group vehicle data powers connected fleet services. Read more

UK-built cars could miss out on EU grants thanks to new ‘Made in Europe’ legislation 

The UK’s car industry has called on the EU to reconsider its plans to introduce new legislation that would effectively exclude British-built cars, parts and EV batteries from receiving the same incentives as those produced in mainland Europe. Read more

Ford Establishes New Product Creation and Industrialisation Organisation to Scale Next-Gen Vehicles and Technology 

Ford Motor Company today announced the establishment of a new end-to-end organisation, Product Creation and Industrialisation, to deliver one of the most intensive product, software, and services roll-outs in Ford’s history. Read more

£470 million government support package for automotive industry  

The Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) has announced the latest government-backed projects under the DRIVE35 programme. It is a package of over £470 million in grants to support the UK automotive industry. Read more

10 minutes with… Emma Fuller, DAC Beachcroft 

In a fast-moving sector like insurance claims, the sharpest minds are often too busy to sit still – which is why we caught up with Emma Fuller, Partner- Head of Motor and Casualty Market Strategy at DAC Beachcroft to give us 10 minutes of honesty, perspective, and insight… Read more

Big energy shock will push up prices, Bank boss tells BBC 

The world is facing a “very big energy shock” that will push up prices, the governor of the Bank of England has told the BBC. Speaking at the meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington, Andrew Bailey said despite this the UK’s central bank would not rush to make a decision on interest rate rises. Read more

Half of all UK firms targeted by fraudsters impersonating senior bosses as executives’ personal lives become increasingly exposed online 

Senior executives are more visible, identifiable, and exposed than ever before and criminals are exploiting this exposure, with half of UK businesses targeted by fraudsters impersonating senior leaders in the past year, according to new research from global insurance broking and risk management firm, Gallagher. Read more

UK backs Fusion Processing to explore driver-less airport transportation 

UK-based developer of SAE Level 4 automated drive systems, Fusion Processing, has been awarded funding through the government-backed CAM Pathfinder program to investigate how autonomous vehicle technology proven on public roads can be adapted to transform airside staff transportation at UK airports. Read more

Financial Ombudsman Service has announced a new charity partnership with Dementia UK. Read more