Daily Motor News-Thursday 24 October

Half of UK truck drivers switch off safety assistance systems 

As part of this year’s 12th Allianz Motor Day, road users across five countries were surveyed regarding the safety of vulnerable road users in urban areas. The key finding of the survey showed that 54% percent of UK heavy vehicle drivers, such as trucks and vans, ‘often’ or ‘sometimes’ switch off the driver assistance systems in their vehicles. Full story

Motor insurance premiums rose 2% last year – Central Bank 

The average premium paid by consumers for motor insurance in Ireland last year rose 2% to £473, the first increase in five years. It comes as the cost of a claim per policy rose by 5% in 2023 to £307, bringing it back near pre-Covid levels in 2019. Of that figure, the cost per policy of damage claims climbed to £148 as a result of the increased average cost and frequency of damage claims. Full story

Supreme Court rules PI clients must agree to deductions 

Personal injury clients must have been informed of their solicitors’ bill – and agreed to it – before payments can be taken, the Supreme Court ruled. In Oakwood v Menzies,  ive justices agreed that the opportunity for clients to consider the detail of their bill was of ‘central importance’. The ruling overturns a Court of Appeal judgment. Full story

DAC Beachcroft summarises successful defence 

David Knapp, a Partner within the Specialist Liability Team at DACB, has provided a summary of a case in which he successfully a defended a police officer against a charge of gross misconduct. The officer attended a scene after a motorist reported black ice, and after leaving the scene a fatal road traffic accident occurred. Full story

Six future technologies you (might) need to be ready for 

Zenzic’s Programme Director Mark Cracknell has identified six technologies that could influence the industry going forward. Zenzic was created by the government and industry to champion the UK Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) ecosystem and has become a gamechanger for SME’s who win a place on it. Full story

Around 30 jobs created as Solus opens car repair centre in Sunderland 

Around 30 new jobs are set to be created through the opening of a new car Solus repair centre in Sunderland. The centre, at Hillthorn Park in Washington, will be the company’s first North East centre and once operational it will create around 30 jobs. The opening comes as Solus announces expansion plans to open new sites in Sheffield and Exeter. Full story

Mixed results in lates Euro NCAP testing 

Euro NCAP has assessed the assisted highway driving features of five new models, with one Chinese model receiving a rating of ‘not recommended’. Ratings are based on two key areas: assistance competence – the balance between automation and ensuring driver engagement; and safety backup – measures taken in an emergency to avoid a collision. Full story

Fraudster guilty of false claims 

A man has been handed a 12-month community order and must complete 120 hours of unpaid work, after he made fake claims against an RSA home insurance policy. Insurance Fraud Bureau officers also obtained a compensation order, which means that Roshan Pariag, 52, must pay back the £2,500 he received from RSA as a result of the claims. Full story

90% of insurers have genAI budgets; 10% can fully comply with AI regs 

A report published by SAS and Coleman Parks Research titled, ‘Your journey to a GenAI future: An insurer’s strategic path to success’ has found that 89% of insurance industry respondents plan to invest in GenAI in 2025 and 92% have a dedicated GenAI budget, but only 11% say their organisations are fully prepared to comply with current and upcoming GenAI regulations. Full story

Motorway creates new insurance product to protect car dealers when buying stock 

Used car marketplace Motorway has launched a new insurance product to protect car dealers when buying stock online. Motorway Protect is powered by warranty provider Opteven and will provide dealers with protection against sudden and unforeseen mechanical and electrical issues discovered after purchasing a vehicle. Full story

Allianz becomes top global insurance brand, ranks 29th worldwide 

Allianz has solidified its position as the top insurance brand globally, ranking among the 30 most valuable brands worldwide for the first time. Serge Raffard, managing director of Allianz UK’s personal lines business, said, “Launching home and motor insurance for UK consumers is a big step in our long-term strategy.” Full story

Fix Auto Hereford joins the network 

Fix Auto Hereford is open for business – completing the ambition of owner Kevin Dunlop who joined the network just 20 months ago with Fix Auto Tewkesbury. He got the keys to a dilapidated former warehouse six months ago and has now transformed the site into a 5,500 sqft state-of-the-art repair facility with capacity for 50 vehicles a month. Full story

Paris Motor Show 2024: French carmakers focus on future 

Stellantis-owned Citroën and Peugeot announced world premieres at the Paris Motor Show, with Citroën unveiling its new C5 Aircross Concept and Peugeot launching its new 4-408. Meanwhile, the Renault Group unveiled the Renault 4, a B-segment battery-electric vehicle. Full story