Category: Insurance

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March 2022 webinARC: Technology (vehicle)

In this webinARC we explore the ever-evolving and rapidly developing world of vehicle technology and explore what it means for incident vehicle management across the supply chain.

NBRA details repairer challenges

The body repair industry is ‘under a great deal of pressure from all sides’ according to the NBRA’s latest market update.

In the repairer market comment January 2022, Chris Weeks, director of the NBRA said detailed how repairers are ‘struggling’ with lead times being stretched.

He pointed to a recent survey of its members which estimates approx 100,000 damaged vehicles are currently waiting to be brought in for repairs. Across the market, driveable vehicles are taking over five weeks longer to get booked in than they were pre-pandemic.

Hills Group continues green parts expansion

Hills Group has expanded into the south-west with the acquisition of a new parts delivery hub in Gloucestershire.

The move, one year on since its expansion into Scotland, will allow Hills and the Green Parts Specialists to despatch freight in bulk to the new facility overnight from its headquarters in Skelmersdale, ready for delivery across the south of the UK the very next day.

Feature Interview: Kelvyn Waugh, Prasco UK

The supply of parts is now arguably the greatest single challenge facing the automotive incident repair aftermarket today.

Here, we speak to Kelvyn Waugh, managing director of Prasco UK, to find out how he is investing in technology, training and partnerships to streamline operations and ensure service and deliveries to customers around the UK remains as efficient as ever.

INSHUR seeks internal solution

INSHUR has launched a new in-house claims solution which it says will enable it to manage the entire value chain without the need to outsource. The technology-led solution provides a supportive and transparent journey for customers and will control claims costs, allowing savings to be passed on to policyholders.

The development is part of the company’s wider strategy of delivering fair and simple insurance.

Chartwell scoops prestigious Bentley award

Chartwell of Derby has been named Bentley Bodyshop of the Year 2021. The prestigious award underscores Chartwell’s position as the UK’s leading super-brand bodyshop, providing quality service to a long list of supercar manufacturers.

The company said, “It was wonderful to see the attention to detail and passion for Bentley that everyone showed.”

ABL opens another LV= sole site

ABL 1 Touch Group has cut the ribbon on its 17^th site. Based in Rayleigh, the LV sole site strengthens its ties with the insurer and continues its strategy of growth.

Michael Golding, LV= Network Manager, said, “It’s great to have another sole site.”

ABL 1 Touch is an award-winning repair group based in the South East and Midlands, with approvals for a many of the UK’s leading insurers and vehicle manufacturers.

Redde Northgate celebrates awards treble

Redde Northgate companies Auxillis, FMG and FMG Repair Services have collectively won the Supplier of the Year Award at Admiral Group’s ‘Manager Awards 2021’.

The awards recognise companies who have ‘demonstrated their commitment in working together to ensure Admiral is getting the very best in service provisions for their customers.’

Rob Harper, Head of Claims Business Support, Admiral Group Plc, said: “Congratulations to all three companies for winning our prestigious Supplier of the Year Award.”

Fuel prices hit new high

As anticipated, fuel prices in the UK have hit a record high with petrol soaring to 148.02p a litre and diesel up to 151.57p a litre. These new highs exceed the prices previously reached in November, and have been blamed on rising wholesale prices.

Meanwhile, exacerbating the squeeze on UK motorists, figures from the Office for National Statistics revealed that UK wage growth is still lagging behind the rising cost of living. In real terms, wages fell 0.8% between October and December.

Top marks for Fiat in safety ratings

Thatcham Research and Euro NCAP have announced the results of the world’s only Commercial Van Safety Rating programme, which was introduced last year due to concerns that safety-critical equipment on new cars was not being made available on vans.

The results found that FIAT is the manufacturer that has raised its game the most since the first batch of test results were released, with its Ducato improving from a safety score of 28% to 88%, which makes it the first van ever to receive a Platinum rating.

SMMT publishes EV action plan

The UK automotive industry has published a new seven-point plan to ensure the switch to electric vehicles is not undermined by a lagging charging infrastructure.

The plan, published by the SMMT, urges greater collaboration between government and industry to provide a charging network that is fit for purpose.

Among the measures being called for is a national strategy that is locally managed, greater investment in public chargers, binding targets around chargepoint numbers, and support for electricity networks to ensure they can cope with EV demand.

Scramble for skills intensifies

Skills is the number one challenge facing businesses today, while communication and collaboration with partners is the best way to overcome this and other challenges.

That was the message from the second ARC360 webinar of 2022, hosted in association with I Love Claims.

The session, which addressed the operational issues facing the industry post-pandemic, featured panellists: Harry Abraham, Operations Director, Halo ARC; Jeff Mack, National Account Manager, NWVA; Jane Pocock, Managing Director, Copart UK; and Robert McWilliams, Approved Repairer Vendor Manager, UKGI Claims, Zurich Insurance.

Register now…
webinARC February 2022: Operations
Wednesday 16 February – 13.30    

In this webinARC we explore incident claims processes and repair operations by focusing on the five Ps – products, processes, plant, people and programmes – to try and piece together what the challenges and opportunities are from a variety of perspectives.  

Featuring: 

• Harry Abraham, Operations Director, Halo ARC Ltd 
• Jeff Mack, National Account Manager, NWVA 
• Jane Pocock, Managing Director, Copart UK 
• Robert McWilliams, Approved Repairer Vendor Manager, UKGI Claims, Zurich Insurance plc 

Alton Cars acquired in MBO

Alton Cars Ltd Accident Repair Group has been acquired in a management buyout for an undisclosed sum.

Established in 1979, the business has grown to a turnover of £48.5m and has evolved to become one of the largest independent accident repair groups in the UK, with 370 staff across 14 locations.

The MBO was supported by Tony Parish, the exiting founder of Alton Cars, to ensure a future succession plan for the business.

Diversity challenge exposed by IMI report

The IMI’s annual UK Automotive Sector Baseline Report 2021 has exposed the significant diversity challenges facing the sector. It found that 81% of the workforce is male, while only 38% are under the age of 35.

However, it also suggested there will be an opportunity to redress this imbalance with 55,000 new jobs expected to be created in the industry by 2030.

Cost pressures starting to bite for insurance

The average price for motor insurance in 2021 fell to its lowest level in six years according to the ABI but sustained cost pressures are beginning to impact the cost of cover.

The latest ABI Motor Insurance Premium Tracker shows that in 2021 the average price paid for comprehensive motor insurance was £434. This fell by seven per cent on 2020 to its lowest level since 2015.

However, in Q4 2021, the average premium paid rose by £11 on the previous quarter to £440. Despite this rise, the average premium was three per cent lower than the same quarter of 2020.

AutoRaise celebrates apprenticeship drive

AutoRaise and its partners have been active nationwide during National Apprenticeship Week as the sector rallies to address the skills shortage.

It and Gemini were both promoting the sector at the Nottingham College Apprenticeship open evening, while ABL 1 Touch showcased the development of its apprenticeship programme following £150,000 support from Saint-Gobain. 

The Vella Group and AW Repair Group also used National Apprenticeship Week to highlight their commitment to apprentices through individual success stories.

Cost inflation set to continue

Insurance solutions provider DAC Beachcroft has warned the industry to expect claims inflation to continue at the same rate of 2021 for at least another year.

It pointed to ongoing issues such as a shortage of skills, parts disruption and higher energy costs, but said there were ways to counter rising costs, such as developing closer ties with the supply chain to ensure partners had the parts and skills to repair cars quickly, and using green parts more frequently to reduce costs and key-to-key times.

ABLE TO: lauds apprenticeship efforts

Apprentice consultancy business ABLE TO: has praised the efforts of the automotive aftermarket to attract and retain new talent during National Apprenticeship Week 2022.

Owner Bob Linwood said, “It’s genuinely heart-warming to see so many great stories about young people doing well in our industry, and this has been a continuing trend over the last few years.”

Four Ways the right way for Fix Auto UK

Fix Auto UK has appointed Midlands-based repairer Four Ways Accident Repair Centre to its network.

The repairer, which will operate as Fix Auto Atherstone, is owned by local entrepreneur Garry Wall and managed by Martin Scott, and joins network following a period of investment which commenced with relocating to new premises and installing a new, efficient, spraybooth, a raft of technical equipment, IT, staff training and additional recruitment.

Hodkinson joins ACG

Financial solutions provider, Accident Credit Group (ACG) has appointed Phil Hodkinson as National Sales Manager.

Phil has previously worked with several leading accident management companies and repair networks.

Pete Bass, Sales Director ACG said, “Phil appreciates the challenges facing the repair sector and joins ACG at an exciting time. His sales experience and industry knowledge will help drive our growth plans, working closely with existing and future partners to develop new products and services.”

GB Flint celebrates Ford approval

GB Flint Coachworks, formally Fix Auto Nottingham, has secured Ford approval. 

Managing director Carl Flint said, “Adding another vehicle manufacturer to our extensive portfolio ensures our staff can gain the specialist training and knowledge required to repair technically advanced modern vehicles. It provides reassurance to our customers that their cars are in safe hands.”

Laird Assessors introduces new Engineer Academy

Laird Assessors has launched an Engineer Academy to train, develop and support people looking for a career in motor engineering.

The academy is designed to take a person from rookie apprentice to a fully qualified motor engineer and is a formalised version of the various, and sometimes siloed, training that has been given to their staff over the years.

Auto Windscreens announces ADAS certification

Auto Windscreens has announced that its ISO accreditations now also include ADAS windscreen calibrations.

The company said, “The certificates confirm that we meet the requirements of ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001. This means our partners can be assured we provide a structured framework for ensuring a safe and healthy workplace, manage and improve the quality of our products and services, as well as reducing our impact on the environment. We’re the only automotive glazing company to have done so, making us unique in the market.”

Cazoo secures further funding

Cazoo has secured an additional $630m in additional funding. The investment, led by Viking Global Investors, follows a two per cent share transaction.

The extra capital pushes the company’s balance sheet towards the $900m mark and supports its multi-year strategy of continued growth through the UK and Europe.

Volvo man up for charity award

Volvo Body and Paint manager, Steve Plunkett is set to be honoured by blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan, at a digital awards celebration this month. 

Steve has been shortlisted for the Donor Champion of the Year Award at the Anthony Nolan Supporter Awards 2021 for raising over £20,000 for the charity.

Market Intelligence: Wednesday 09 February 2022

This month’s look at the mobility data and trends from across the sector.

To view the report click here.