Daily Motor News – Wednesday 04 March 2026 

Casualty figures also highlight that turning right remains the most dangerous manoeuvre for drivers with 19,469 casualties taking place when turning across oncoming traffic. More than 6,500 casualties happened when drivers turned left. Read more

Kennedys: War with Iran – implications for the insurance market 

The geopolitical turbulence which has marked the start of 2026 reached new levels on Saturday morning when the US and Israel launched air strikes on Iran. Although the initial attack eliminated the highest echelons of the Iranian regime, including the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei, there remains huge uncertainty over how the conflict will end and whether, as encouraged so to do, the Iranian people will seek or achieve regime change without the US or Israel putting boots on the ground. With Iran launching retaliatory strikes across the Gulf and Israel, the insurance market will be watching the situation very closely. Here, we examine the potential impact on various lines of business. Read more

Van insurance premiums continue downward trend, new index shows 

Van insurance premiums have continued to fall in early 2026, extending a sustained softening in the market that began in mid-2024, according to the latest Quarterly Van Insurance Price Index from Pearson Ham Group’s Market Pricing Business. Read more

Beazley plc results for year end 31 December 2025 

Adrian Cox, Chief Executive Officer, said: “In 2025, Beazley delivered another strong profit, amidst a volatile global backdrop and in a softening insurance rating environment. In these conditions, our robust underwriting discipline and active cycle management continued to ensure our success.” Read more

A climate signal is emerging in U.K. winter rainfall, and models may be underestimating it 

The winter of 2023/24 was one of the wettest on record for the U.K., bringing widespread flooding and disruption, contributing to record breaking weather-related insured losses according to the Association of British Insurers. For many in the reinsurance industry, that season underscored just how vulnerable Europe is to prolonged periods of heavy rain. Read more

FCA: Motor finance compensation scheme to include implementation period 

We’re considering over 1,000 responses to our proposals for a compensation scheme for motor finance customers who were treated unfairly. If we proceed with a scheme, we are likely to make several changes. If we do go ahead, we expect to publish final rules in late March. The timing of publication will be outside market hours and we’ll confirm the date in advance. Read more

The widening lead–follow spectrum presents an opportunity for a disciplined approach to strengthening market positioning 

Underwriting in the Lloyd’s and London Market is evolving. The days of a simple binary distinction between leaders and followers, defined solely by slip position, are giving way to a more nuanced spectrum of participation. Read more

Will petrol and diesel prices go up now? 

The jump in the price of oil triggered by the conflict in the Middle East has raised the possibility of higher fuel costs for motorists. Iran has warned vessels not to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway in the south of the country through which about 20% of the world’s oil and gas is shipped. Read more

The second largest purchase in your life? 

I’ve been struck a few times recently by the inclusion from industry executives, consultants and journalists in presentations, blogs and media interviews of the oft-quoted ‘fact’ that buying a new car is the second largest transaction in your life. Read more

Spring Forecast 2026: The right economic plan for Britain 

The Spring Forecast has shown that the government’s economic plan to cut the cost of living, cut national debt and grow the economy, is the right one.  Read more

UK Paint Update – 3 March 2026 

Audatex can confirm that we will be updating the UK paint material tables effective 03rd March 2026. The impact of the detailed data supplied by the paint manufacturers is an indicative average increase of  5.4% on the calculated paint and materials. Read more

Drivers dislike crossroads, but T and staggered junctions are Britain’s biggest crash hotspots 

Around a quarter of drivers (23%) say that unmarked crossroads are their most disliked junction layout, according to new research by The AA’s Accident Assist team. Unmarked crossroads are mostly found on rural roads and forego either the accompanying road signs or road markings typically found at major crossroads. Read more

Good Practice of the Month – March 2026, awarded to Hellas Direct for establishing the ‘Safe Roads Project’ 

Our March spotlight features the ‘Safe Road Project’, established by Hellas Direct in Greece. The project aims to improve children’s road safety on their journey to and from school, by restoring faded pedestrian crossings and strengthening the link between road safety education and safe infrastructure. Read more

New Malta Data Update – 5 March 2026 

The very latest vehicle data D4.78 is now available for AudaEnterpriseGold in Malta. Read more

Sandra Fells has started a new position as Claims Capability & Development Coordinator at AND-E. 

Ryan Boniface has started a new role as Technical Controller – Group Claims at Markerstudy Group. 

Laura Maunder has been promoted to UK Head of Third Party Risk Management at Zurich Insurance. 

QBE has appointed Stephanie Cryer as Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO) for its International division, effective 1 April 2026, subject to regulatory approval. Read more

David Jackson has started a new position as Strategic Customer Development Manager at Alphabet GB. 

Rebecca Aston has started a new role as Head of Professional Standards at Chartered Insurance Institute.