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.”
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.”
Bodyshop, Environment, People, Supplier, Technology, Training, Vehicle Repair and Words
Automotive charity AutoRaise is celebrating National Apprenticeship Week 2023 by attending a number of careers events to help showcase the sector to the next generation.
AutoRaise has been set up to address the skills gap by promoting the industry to new talent and then pairing apprentices with repairers.
As part of this, it will attend events at Emtec Automotive College and Retford Education Centre this week, while also sharing videos, testimonials, and insights from partners, affiliated repairers, and apprentices.
Vice Chair Steve Thompson said, “We are confident that the work we have done over the past few years has benefited repairers, young people, insurers, employers, training organisations, and other industry stakeholders. As we continue to get support from the industry, our position will become increasingly crucial over time. During this significant week, we are delighted to highlight the accomplishments and successes of apprentices who are currently employed in the sector.”
Bodyshop, Environment, People, Supplier, Technology, Training, Vehicle Repair and Words
Businesses and individuals have been invited to register their interest for the 2023 WorldSkills Competition cycle.
The skills competitions aim to promote and celebrate the incredible talent in the sector through a series of regional, national and international events. Challenges are set by industry experts across a number of disciplines to test knowledge, practical skills and employability.
To date, 97% of previous entrants say they improved their technical skills after taking part and 93% said they improved their personal and employability skills. Meanwhile, average earnings among those who took part are 60% higher than those of comparable peer group.
Bodyshop, Environment, Insurance, Mobility, People, Supplier, Technology, Vehicle Repair and Words
Optimising the claims journey means different things to different stakeholders. But as costs and customer expectations continue to rise, the need for effective claims management has never been greater. Here, we have canvassed the opinions of some of our partners for their take on efficiency gains within claims, and how their solutions are optimising the journey.
If you would like to take part in similar features through 2023, or contribute to our growing content output in another way, please email alan.feldberg@iloveclaims.com
Enterprise Holdings:
Customer service is becoming ever more important, especially as an exceptional claims experience has a direct impact on loyalty and renewal rates. Customers want to be kept completely updated and in the loop at all times. This means that every business involved in the claims process has to be connected and able to access the latest information on a claim.
Technology also enables a richer digital journey for the customer, where they can access more information more immediately, online or through an app.
Especially now, with the whole repair sector facing supply chain and talent challenges that are impacting speed of service and can lead to extended repair periods, a more connected industry is one that’s better placed to ensure customers are always supported as well as better-informed.
The other piece is increasing demand for mobility during those periods when a policyholder’s own vehicle is unavailable, and potentially for a longer period if repair times are delayed. Cars remain essential for many trips, especially with people working more flexibly, while commercial vehicles are the lifeblood of the economy.
This is becoming a conversation around how best to deliver mobility. For some drivers, this may continue to be a like-for-like replacement car for the entire length of the repair. Other people may only need a vehicle for a few hours or days, and we’re exploring how access to vehicles located close to where policyholders live and work, either at an on-street car club or at a rental branch, can offer a more effective and sustainable alternative.
Stuart Sandell, AVP of Replacement Sales UK & Ireland at Enterprise Rent-A-Car, said, “Optimising the claims process means repair bays shouldn’t be left vacant because there isn’t a courtesy car for a customer waiting for a repair. Many bodyshops are already exploring this wider range of mobility provision – either as an option to running a dedicated fleet of courtesy cars, or as a way of providing mobility when all their vehicles are out on loan but they still have capacity for repairs.”
Solera Audatex:
At Solera we understand that optimising the claims journey means connecting all players and partners in the claims ecosystem for a more efficient, customer-friendly and speedy claims process, while ultimately lowering costs and maximising revenue.
Solera Audatex has been a trusted partner in the automotive insurance industry for many decades. We provide a modular automotive insurance ecosystem that can be used by all players in the claims journey. It helps to provide consistency across a complex claims landscape from policy inception to claims resolution.
Our 100-plus long-standing established API connections to leading partner systems from fraud systems, recovery operators, repairers, parts suppliers, salvage companies and industry bodies make the claims workflow streamlined and seamless. Coupled with the extensive data integrated from the various Solera UK businesses, Audatex leads the way in creating a competitive advantage for our clients. This makes Audatex more than just a vehicle estimating partner but rather the ultimate partner to ensure a successful process across the whole claims journey, delivering value to every stakeholder en route.
Solera Audatex encourages faster adoption of claims digitalisation at FNOL, better claims triage, removes frictional costs on subrogation, and much more, bringing efficiencies at every stage.
Furthermore, the introduction of the suite of Qapter products into the UK workflow will accelerate the use of artificial intelligence in vehicle claims, drawing on over a decade of UK claims data. Valuations for new and used vehicles are comprehensively and intelligently updated via cap hpi, across our complete suite of solutions, meaning that every decision can be informed by accurate, timely data.
Neil Garrett, Solera Audatex UK Sales Director, said: “Optimising the claims journey for all requires a clear strategy which puts the customer at the centre. We are passionate about playing our part as a trusted partner to help connect and inform wherever our customers require additional support, better systems or added value.”
Put simply: Solera Audatex means a more efficient, more profitable operation, giving you a substantial financial and competitive advantage.
Entegral Holdings:
Entegral Holdings offers a suite of products that insurers and other collision industry professionals use to streamline the claim process across the UK.
It is an industry-leading source of innovation in the claims processing space with a goal to digitise the claims process.
Our platform is an open SaaS solution that simplifies auto claims interactions and decision-making by intelligently connecting service providers in one place and through APIs or user interfaces provides visibility to service provider statuses. It also provides secure, transparent data exchanges between service providers to reduce loss adjustment expense and provides customers with a menu of incremental service provider options (ie repair centers, rental, tow, salvage, etc.).
Today more than 60 insurers, vehicle manufacturers, and collision network sponsors in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, and Puerto Rico use Entegral.
As vehicle manufacturers integrate more technology, insurers and collision repairers continue to rely on the Entegral open platform to harmonise the claims process.
