Daily Motor News – Thursday 20 March 2025

This database was set up to provide the legal authorities with the motor insurance details for all vehicles on Irish roads, allowing the Gardaí to identify any uninsured vehicles in seconds through their handheld mobile devices or via their Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems. According to the report, by the end of 2024 details for 3,471,083 vehicles and 5,629,873 drivers were being updated and passed to An Garda Síochána on a daily basis. Read more

ILC announces Mobility in Insurance Conference 2025

ILC is thrilled to launch the Mobility in Insurance Conference 2025, set to take place on Thursday, 16 October 2025, at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon.  

The groundbreaking event, in association with The CHO, will bring together key industry stakeholders to explore the future of mobility within the motor insurance sector. Read more

Over 18k vehicles seized for being uninsured in 2024 following introduction of irish motor insurance database – MIBI

A total of 18,676 vehicles were seized by An Garda Síochána  for being uninsured in 2024 following the introduction of the new Irish Motor Insurance Database (IMID) last year. This was up by 67% from the 11,201 vehicles that had been seized for the same offence in 2023.

While the number of insurance related summons and charges issued by An Garda Síochána reached 26,094 in 2024, up by 23% from 21,198 in 2023. Read more

Kennedys IQ launches Insurtech industry’s first neuro-symbolic AI solution for global insurance market

Kennedys IQ has launched the first fully explainable neuro-symbolic AI risk analysis solution, Kennedys IQ SmartRisk, the latest addition to their data-powered technology IQ Platform. Kennedys IQ SmartRisk will transform how insurers approach policy review, liability, and coverage analysis by accelerating review and decision-making whilst improving accuracy and consistency. Read more

Drivers warned not to hand over details in new twist on ‘crash for cash’ scam

The Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) warned that handing over such information could lead to identity theft.

In the latest twist on the crash for cash scam, moped scammers are persuading victims, who may be distressed or confused, to show a copy of their insurance certificate or driving licence, which is then photographed at the roadside. Read more

Motorists forced to pay millions in ‘extra charges’ for car insurance premiums through hidden fees

Millions of drivers have been overpaying for monthly car insurance premiums through “undisclosed charges” with calls for the UK’s financial regulator to act.

It comes as a report found that a huge portion of car insurers have been charging annual percentage rates (APRs) equivalent to pricey credit card lenders for customers to pay for coverage monthly. Read more

Allianz Partners signs MoU with Hyundai

Allianz Partners has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hyundai Connected Mobility, Hyundai Motor Company and Hyundai Marine & Fire insurance. The four parties aim to develop together data-driven insurance products and to determine the best strategies for building and positioning Usage Based Insurance (UBI) products. Read more

Operation Henhouse: 422 arrests and £7.5m seized in national crackdown on fraud

422 people have been arrested in a UK-wide campaign against fraud, coordinated by the National Economic Crime Centre and City of London Police.

The activity, which was the fourth iteration of the multi-agency Operation Henhouse, ran across February 2025. Read more

From crisis management to strategic resilience: Lessons from the auto industry

The global automotive industry is at a crossroads. Traditional risk management strategies aren’t enough in an era of rapid technological advancements, geopolitical tensions, and supply chain upheavals. Carmakers saw abrupt changes in consumer demand during and after the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to grapple with persistent supply chain bottlenecks and transformative technological trends like electrification and autonomous driving. Read more

The hidden cost of pothole repair backlog

More drivers than ever are being left out of pocket and stranded at the roadside due to a £17bn pothole repair backlog, says Start Rescue.

The leading breakdown provider has witnessed a 44.7% increase in the number of pothole-related call-outs in the five months from October 2024 to now. Read more

Used Tesla sales reach record level despite brand image challenges

Used Tesla sales have reached a new record level in the UK, despite challenges around new car volumes and brand perception. Car dealers sold 2,690 Teslas in February, the highest level ever sold in one month, according to data from Marketcheck. Read more

New British-based brand Perseus hoping to take on Porsche Macan

Perseus, a new UK-based premium electric car start-up, has announced plans to launch a ‘performance and technology-focused compact SUV’ by late 2027.

According to the newly established brand, its first as-yet-unnamed car will be “defined by attainable premium values” and “will combine inspirational and emotive design, groundbreaking technology, engaging performance and exceptional user experience with compelling value.” Read more

ANCAP launches new advertising campaign

Australia: Life is full of choices. Some easy. Some more difficult. That’s the tagline used in ANCAP SAFETY’s new advertising campaign calling on all Australians to choose safety.

Launching nationally this week, a series of campaign advertisements are being rolled out to remind Australian mums, dads, boyfriends, girlfriends, grandparents and neighbours to stop, think about, and check the ANCAP safety rating of their car or that of a family member, loved one, or friend. Read more

Developing Technology to Prevent Vehicles from Running Red Lights 

US: Crashes that result from vehicles driving through red lights are often very serious because they are typically right-angle or side-impact crashes. While newer vehicles have many standard safety features such as lane departure warning and brake assistance systems to support drivers, they do not have technologies to help prevent driving through red lights. Read more

Right To Repair – A Growing Trend for States Creating Compliance Challenges for Manufacturers

US: In 2023 and 2024, several U.S. states enacted extensive “Right to Repair” laws, reflecting a growing legislative focus on ensuring consumers have access to the parts and resources needed to repair their own products without relying on the product’s original manufacturer. As the “Right to Repair” movement continues to gain significant traction across the United States, it is critical that manufacturers understand these laws and how these laws will impact their individual businesses. Read more

39% of SMEs to offer staff benefits to mitigate NIC hike

As the Chancellor prepares her Spring Statement amid ongoing concerns over the rate of inflation, a new survey of SME decision makers suggests a third of businesses (35%) are planning to  implement price increases to help mitigate the uplift in NIC from April 2025. Furthermore, 39% of firms are planning to introduce staff benefits to avoid higher wage bills. Read more

#InspiringWomen with SUFC

Through its partnership with Sheffield United Women, Autoglass is driving change beyond its business. In a special bitesize podcast, female trailblazers share their experiences in male-dominated industries—proving that skill and passion, not gender, define success.

The company has also announced it is partnering with industry leaders Jade Price (Automotive Capture & MOT Tester for Audi) and Sophie Lydon (multi-award-winning founder of Fresh Drivers UK). Read more

Smart charging solutions could reduce UK Electric Vehicle costs and boost grid capacity, report finds

Smart vehicle charging solutions, such as Time of Use (ToU) tariffs and selling surplus energy back to the grid, could save EV owners in the UK more than £10,000 over seven years of ownership based on a large EV, according to a new study by EY and Eurelectric. Read more

Towers Watson, a WTW business has announced the appointment of Craig Baker as Chief Investment Strategist in its Investments business. Jon Pliner has been appointed to succeed Baker as Global CIO.

Coplus has announced the appointment of David Shaw as Sales Director.David brings with him almost three decades of experience in the insurance industry and has worked across both the commercial and personal line of the market.