Environment, Finance, Mobility, Supplier, Technology, vehicle sales and Words
Automotive data platform Cazana is being acquired by Percayso Inform for an undisclosed sum and will now be known as Percayso Vehicle Intelligence.
Cazana, which was acquired by Cazoo in 2021, delivers in-depth insight on individual cars through more than a billion unique data points and is trusted by 60% of leading UK insurers as well as the Motor Ombudsman.
The deal will support Percayso’s ambition to grow its footprint in the UK motor insurance sector and develop its own vehicle data insight proposition.
Percayso Managing Director Rich Tomlinson said, “Cazana’s unrivalled database provides motor insurers with a one-stop-shop, enabling them to truly understand the risk factor of a vehicle including its likelihood to be involved in a claim. Combining that data with our own unique insurance intelligence services will enable insurers to determine potential fraudulent activity, identify if a risk is right for their business, swiftly respond to changing market conditions and ultimately write better business.”
He added, “This is a transformational deal for our business. We’ve made considerable headway in the motor market over the past three years. Acquiring Cazana will provide a springboard for us to grow our relationships with the motor insurers already using their services and I believe will open the door to many new opportunities.”
Insurance, People, Supplier, Technology, Training and Words
Wiser Academy has responded to the ongoing skills challenge in the insurance industry by introducing free ‘introduction to insurance’ courses to new starters.
The two-day courses will be held every month until the end of the year and will cover insurance basics such as regulation, risk, structure, claims, ethics and professional behaviours.
It is hoped that more than 500 people will complete the online course by the end of 2023.
Wiser Academy Managing Director Crescens George said, “It is a course designed specifically for new starters to broking, especially smaller brokers who don’t have their own training and development facilities in-house. We’re aiming for 50 people for each of the courses, and there is no charge as Wiser Academy is 100% committed to playing its part in encouraging people to make the most of their new career in insurance.”
He continued, “There’s a broader challenge for our sector in the shortage of talent at all levels in insurance, which tends to create wage spirals and companies taking staff from each other. Getting new joiners to kick start their career in a supported manner is vital means of keeping them in broking, and we hope the industry will respond positively to this new course.”
Environment, Insurance, People, Salvage, Supplier, Technology and Words
Copart UK emphasised the need for partnerships and collaboration in the insurance sector during a special programme assessing the UK insurance sector produced the ABI Annual Conference.
‘Securing Futures’ was produced by ITN Business to consider the work taking place within insurance and how the sector needs to evolve going forward.
Jane Pocock, CEO of Copart UK & Ireland, who featured in the programme, said, “Over the 15 years that Copart has been in the UK, we have worked incredibly closely with our insurance partners and more broadly in the sector. Our involvement with this programme demonstrates how we fully align with ABI’s ongoing advocacy and campaign work to highlight the role of the insurance sector in supporting customers and society. We are, as market leader, proud and honoured to have been offered this opportunity.
“With motor claims volumes increasing and large-scale extreme weather events becoming more common place, it is great to be able to raise awareness to both individuals and companies of the ways that the industry can support them.
“At Copart we provide trusted and valuable partnerships to the insurance, automotive, and accident management sectors, continually investing to strengthen our operational capabilities, transport, and technology to ensure that we can collect, process, and resell vehicles as quickly as possible with minimum disruption and economic impact.”
Bodyshop, Finance, Insurance, People, Supplier, Training and Words
Crash. Detect. Settle. Digitising the motor claims journey.
Reducing the claims journey is key to better customer service, greater efficiencies, and more savings. The benefits of beginning a claim with 24 hours of a collision are well-established – but what might the benefits be if the process was even quicker? Industry leader Solera will deliver a showcase webinar session offering viewers an insight into Solera Mentor by eDriving.
ILC event to tackle skills shortage
ILC has announced a new event that will shine a light on the skills gap within the sector and discuss strategies for overcoming it.
Headline sponsored by specialist training provider Wiser Academy, the inaugural ILC New Generation in Claims will take place at etc.venues Manchester on 26 April and is aimed at anyone who is either directly or indirectly impacted by a lack of new talent entering the sector.
The Data Act, which is currently under review, will offer users more control over the data generated by vehicles and provide third parties ‘fair and non-discriminatory access to this data.’
The new facility, which will accommodate all Truck and Luton Van repairs for key clients, increases repair volume within the group to more than 10,000 vehicles a year.
The committee is now inviting evidence on a number of issues around the reforms, such as impact on claims volumes and costs, and the effectiveness of the portal.
Steve Nash, CEO of the IMI said: “Although our sector continues to battle a skills shortage, it is tremendous to witness such a diverse wealth of talent across all our award categories.
People
Inspiro Learning has named Martin Darby as new Volkswagen Group Key Account Manager.
Volkswagen Group UK has appointed Lee Harrison as ADM Sales Channel Manager.
Kelly Oakley has started a new position as Resource Planning Analyst at Solus Accident Repair Centres.
Audio, Bodyshop, Finance, Insurance, People, Technology and Words
Crash. Detect. Settle. Digitising the motor claims journey.
We all know how important it is to begin the claims process as soon as possible following a collision – doing so within 24 hours offers multiple benefits and savings. What if you could speed the process up even more? During this showcase webinar session, viewers gain an insight into Solera Mentor by eDriving.
Headline sponsored by specialist training provider Wiser Academy, the inaugural ILC New Generation in Claims event will take place at etc.venues Manchester on 26 April, aimed at everyone who is impacted directly or indirectly by a lack of new talent entering the industry and the challenges associated with keeping skillsets ahead of the curve.
Industry rallies behind National Apprenticeship Week
Leaders in the automotive aftermarket have been busy this week promoting the sector to next generation talent as part of National Apprenticeship Week 2023.
AutoRaise, Copart, Gemini ARC, Indasa and Steer Automotive Group were among those celebrating the successes of apprentices and encouraging more young people to consider a career in the sector.
Squad UK announced for WorldSkills Competition
WorldSkills UK has announced its squad of 94 young people that will represent GB at the 47th WorldSkills Competition, taking place in Lyon, France, in September 2024.
Meanwhile, used EV transactions rose by 37.5% last year to a record 71,071, although the overall used car market fell by 8.5% to 6,890,777.
Fix Auto Basingstoke achieves PAS 2060
Fix Auto Basingstoke has become the latest franchise partner to achieve PAS 2060 certification.
The Hampshire-based repairer worked with Purchase Direct to calculate its carbon footprint and then establish a bespoke net zero programme which outlines specific targets for energy reduction and a carbon offsetting plan.
VisionTrack unveils video tech ‘game-changer’
AI video telematics specialist VisionTrack has launched a new solution that it believes can transform commercial fleet safety while reducing insurance costs.
Daren Nichol has been promoted internally to Technical Sales Executive for the Midlands from his position as Remote Technician, while Jamie Willis has joined from Solera as Technical Sales Executive for the South.
Compliance to Consumer Duty will require all organisations to be able to prove that they are making customer outcomes their priority in every area of business.
Neil Joslin, Chief Operating Officer, said, “We’re looking forward to welcoming Charlotte, Charlotte, Francis, Jack & Rory into their new career with us.”
People
Ruth Moring-Beale will step up from her role as National Sales Director at Morelli Group to become Director for Strategy and Growth. Mark Moring will take over her sales position.
Steer Automotive Group has appointed Chloe Sinfield a Site Manager at Steer Aylesbury.
Paul Buckingham has been named UK Market Manager for Sherwin-Williams.
GT Motive has named Steven Hames as new Business Development Manager.
S&G Response has appointed Paul Chance as Network Manager for the south.
e2e Total Loss Vehicle Management has appointed Chris Hulls as Business Development Manager.
Bodyshop, People, Supplier, Technology, Training, Vehicle Repair and Words
WorldSkills UK has announced its squad of 94 young people that will represent GB at the 47th WorldSkills Competition, taking place in Lyon, France, in September 2024.
Squad UK, comprising students and apprentices across 27 disciplines, will now begin an 18-month intensive training programme to prepare them for what is regarded as the ‘skills Olympics’.
Representing the UK are:
Autobody Repair
Ben Priestley – Riverpark Training
David McKeown – Riverpark Training
Ieuan Morris-Brown – Cardiff and Vale College
Car Painting
Dominic Everington – Steer
Training in both techniques and mindset will be led by a team of highly skilled instructors, industry experts, former medal winners and performance coaches, with the final team expected to be announced next spring.
WorldSkills UK Deputy CEO Ben Blackledge said, “This is a life-changing moment for the 94 members of our squad. They now face months of intensive training that will take their skills to a whole new level. They have done so well to get to this stage and are fantastic examples of the very best of our further education system, but the hard work really starts now as they prepare for international competition.
“These are such important opportunities to both raise the profile and prestige of UK skills and enable us to transfer the insights and best practice gleaned from other countries to drive standards at home.”
Environment, Mobility, Supplier, Technology, vehicle sales and Words
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has reported that one in five new vehicle registrations in January were plug-ins. It expects that to increase to one in four during 2023.
Latest figures reveal that hybrids comprised 14.4% of new car registrations during the month, increasing volumes by 40.6%, while battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations rose 19.8% to reach 17,294 units, or 13.1% of new registrations.
Demand for plug-in hybrids also rose to account for 6.9% of new car sales.
This growth in the plug-in sector drove a wider market bounce, with new car registrations increasing by 14.7% in January to reach 131,994 units, making it the best start to the year since before Covid-19 and the sixth successive month of expansion.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “The automotive industry is already delivering growth that bucks the national trend and is poised, with the right framework, to accelerate the decarbonisation of the UK economy. The industry and market are in transition, but fragile due to a challenging economic outlook, rising living costs and consumer anxiety over new technology. We look to a Budget that will reaffirm the commitment to net zero and provide measures that drive green growth for the sector and the nation.”
Meanwhile, UK new light commercial vehicle (LCV) registrations grew to 22,098 units in January, a year-on-year increase of 25.8%.
Bodyshop, Insurance, People, Supplier, Technology, Vehicle Repair and Words
Repairify has strengthened its technical sales expertise and enhance customer service with two key appointments.
Daren Nichol has been promoted internally to Technical Sales Executive for the Midlands from his position as Remote Technician, while Jamie Willis has joined from Solera as Technical Sales Executive for the South.
Gareth Newbery, National Sales Manager for Repairify, said, “These two new appointments bring extensive experience and technical expertise into our growing customer service and support network. With our big ambitions to continue to forge long-term relationships with businesses in the motor industry, both Daren and Jamie will enhance our team further, enabling shops to build their diagnostic and calibration expertise inhouse, supported by our range of tools and specialist services.”
Insurance, Mobility, People, Supplier, Technology and Words
AI video telematics specialist VisionTrack has launched a new solution that it believes can transform commercial fleet safety while reducing insurance costs.
NARA (Notification, Analysis and Risk Assessment) uses computer vision models with sensor fusion to assess footage of driving events, near misses and collisions.
These are then reviewed automatically, providing fleet managers with accurate analysis to better protect road users and help prevent collisions.
VisionTrack, which is part of Markerstudy Group, also believes the solution can reduce insurance costs by an average of £2,000 per claim detected.
Richard Kent, President of Global Sales at VisionTrack, said, “Our cloud-based NARA software is a true game-changer in the world of video telematics as it will help save time, costs and most importantly lives, by providing proactive risk intervention and accurate incident validation.
“NARA proactively removes false positives and monitors driver behaviour, without the need for human involvement. With traditional video telematics solutions, commercial fleets can be experiencing hundreds of triggered daily events, so this will enable them to deliver more efficient working, whilst not compromising on road safety.”
