Daily Motor News – Wednesday 06 May 2026 

“Insurance is a highly regulated, high-stakes industry, and Verisk has long been a leader for how trusted data and analytics are applied responsibly,” said Mike Ram, Head of Insurance at Anthropic. “By pairing Claude with Verisk’s governed analytics and established controls, this collaboration shows how generative AI can enhance professional decision-making without compromising the rigour and accountability the industry demands.” Read more

FCA to review claims management practices 

The FCA is launching a review of the claims management market, following concerns that consumers are being failed by some claims management companies (CMCs) and law firms. Read more

MIB joins ILC as Industry Body Partner 

ILC has announced the addition of the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) as a new Industry Body Partner, further strengthening collaboration across the UK insurance claims sector. Read more

Wakam UK highlights evolving market dynamics as MGAs prepare for the next wave of growth 

The UK delegated authority market is entering a period of change, driven by technology, actuarial insight and niche underwriting expertise. This has created an environment in which MGAs who own specialist or niche portfolios are better positioned to endure in softening market conditions. Read more

Fraudsters can’t swerve justice 

Sentencing has been passed for two criminals found guilty of fraud by false representation, on April 22^nd at Inner London Crown Court, following a joint investigation by Direct Line Group and The Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED), a specialist unit with the City of London Police. Were the fraudulent claims successful the defendants would have jointly received almost £90,000 in damages and costs. Read more

Hastings Sustainability Report 2025 

Hastings Group has published its sixth annual Sustainability Report, setting out progress against its sustainability agenda and continued support for colleagues, customers and communities throughout 2025. Read more

LKQ: What the EU’s new End-of-Life Vehicle Regulation means for the aftermarket 

In my end-of-year post, I flagged that 2026 would bring a final vote on the EU’s End-of-Life Vehicle Regulation. That vote has now taken place, and the result is a piece of legislation that deserves a closer look, not least because its implications for independent repair and remanufacturing are more significant than the somewhat unglamorous name might suggest. Read more

Nissan to close UK line and cut 900 European jobs 

Car manufacturer Nissan has announced it will stop using one of its UK production lines and will be cutting 900 jobs in Europe. The company confirmed it would be merging two of the lines producing the Leaf, Juke and Qashqai models at its Sunderland plant, but said no jobs would be lost through the change. Read more

Europe May Not Be Ready For Tesla FSD Yet. Regulators Still Want Answers 

Tesla Full Self Driving was officially approved for public road use in the Netherlands in April by the country’s road safety body, the RDW. This was seen as a major step toward allowing FSD to operate across the European Union, suggesting that a continent-wide rollout was right around the corner. Read more

Van market returns to growth with EV boost 

The new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market rose by 6.8% in April with 21,716 vans, pickups and 4x4s joining UK roads, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). While the performance is compared against a weak April last year – a month impacted by tax changes – the return to growth after a disappointing March is welcome. Read more

CEO Insights – care as a strategy 

At Carpenters Group, we’ve always believed that every claim represents a moment in someone’s life that matters. Whether it’s a family facing a home emergency or a driver shaken or injured after a collision, these are vulnerable, fragile points in people’s lives. Our role when managing a claim is to stand beside people and be of help and support. Read more

HF Acquires Hempsons LlP 

HF is continuing its growth journey with the acquisition of Hempsons – a prominent name in their primary sectors of health, social care and charity – subject to SRA approval. Hempsons has circa 250 employees in five offices across the country, and the purchase will enable HF to expand into new specialisms and sectors as well as growing existing areas of expertise. Read more

Verisk brings its trusted analytics and generative AI capabilities directly into Anthropic’s Claude 

Verisk has announced its trusted insurance analytics are now available in Claude, Anthropic’s family of AI models, through standardised Verisk Model Context Protocol (MCP) connectors. These connectors enable insurance and property restoration professionals to access insights conversationally within a secure, governed environment, and bring meaningful efficiency. Read more

TRL Blog – Driving safer streets in Wales: How TRL’s research shaped side road zebra crossing legislation 

The Welsh Government has taken a bold step toward safer, more inclusive streets by enabling simplified zebra crossings to be implemented at side roads. In our latest blog, TRL consultant Bharti Gupta discusses how this change will make walking easier and safer, giving pedestrians clear priority at junctions which is a vital part of encouraging active travel and reducing road risk. Read more

The vehicle recycling industry must not wait to be invited into circularity’s inner circle 

Vehicle recyclers must act now to secure their role in automotive circularity as regulation, OEM demand and supply-chain pressures put end-of-life value under scrutiny. ATFs that invest in traceability, data, quality systems and partnerships will be better placed to capture value from parts, cores and recycled materials. Read more

The BBC reports oil prices edged lower in Wednesday trade in Asia after US President Donald Trump raised hopes for an agreement with Iran to end the war. Trump said the US would pause its operation to guide ships through the key Strait of Hormuz trade route – a move that triggered an escalation in attacks in the region – to see if a deal could be made. Read more

New research from Europcar Mobility Group UK highlights the growing impact of rising fuel prices on business travel across the UK, while revealing a clear disconnect between short-term cost pressures and longer-term fleet electrification. The research found that 62% of motorists who drive for business said rising fuel costs have affected their business travel or driving habits, with 16% reporting a significant impact.  

Using AI to boost productivity is unlikely to create a sustainable advantage reports McKinsey & Company. The real value from AI will lie in reshaping offerings, business models, and market structures before competitors do. Read more

Blue Motor Finance is said to be ‘teetering on the brink of collapse’, with national media reports suggesting the firm is lining up administrators. Sky News reported yesterday that the lender is facing a redress bill of over £50m, which has left it ‘scrambling to secure a rescue deal’. Read more