ILC Breakfast News – Wednesday 26 April 2023

More experts added to ClaimsTech panel

Five more experts have pledged their support for ILC’s inaugural ClaimsTech – The Pitch special start-up/scale-up event.

The five new experts on the panel are:

• Paula Coulthard Griffiths, Insurance Director, Marshmallow
• Charlotte Halkett, Chief Underwriting Officer, ManyPets
• Marc Mercer, Claims Director, Inshur
• Sue Stansfield, Head of Home Claims, Hastings Direct
• Victoria Wallace, Head of Fraud, Zego

WTW and Zurich announce digital integration

WTW has strengthened its position in digital broking by announcing a new integration with Zurich that streamlines real-time transactions for both.

Hugo Wegbrans, the Global Head of Broking at WTW, said, “WTW is proud to be the first broker providing a successful digital submission to Zurich Commercial UK through our unique Broking Platform.”

ARC360 event to highlight sector needs of an EV future

By 2030, 93% of the UK’s total vehicle sales will be either Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), according to a study by EY and Eurelectric. A decade later there are expected to be 33.4 million EVs in the UK, equating to 72% of the nation’s vehicles.

Taking place on Tuesday 4 July at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry, ARC360’s specialist electric vehicle (EV) event will overlay these latest research findings to unravel what this means for the motor claims sector now and into the future.

Motor policy prices climb 20%

Average motor policies have risen by £107 in the last year, according to the latest Confused.com Car Insurance Price Index, produced in association with WTW.

Comprehensive car insurance premiums have risen by 20% to £657 on average, making it the most expensive it has been since 2011.

INSHUR expands US presence

On-demand insurance provider INSHUR has continued its ambitious growth strategy with the acquisition of American Business Insurance Services.

The move, which expands its footprint in the US, is part of a plan to accelerate growth by 200% during 2023.

CMA launches MVBEO consultation

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a consultation on draft guidance to accompany the Motor Vehicles Block Exemption Order (MVBEO).  

The MVBEO exempts motor vehicle aftermarket agreements if they meet the general conditions relating to vertical agreements set out in the Competition Act 1998.

The consultation closes on 16 May 2023.

DLG announces By Miles acquisition

Direct Line Group has acquired By Miles Group.

The MGA and pay-by-mile insurer has sold over 100,000 policies since launch and now boasts about 50,000 customers with £26m of Gross Written Premium.

Potholes blamed for half of windscreen repairs

Data from Autoglass has revealed that nearly half of drivers who have had chips and cracks to windscreens in the last year believe potholes are to blame.

Nearly a third of drivers (33%) have required glass repairs in the last 12 months, with 44% blaming potholes, 35% blaming road debris and 20% citing bad weather.

Copart commits to continuous learning

Copart has developed a programme of ongoing training for its specialist vehicle technicians to ensure it has the skills to handle modern vehicles.

The programme includes practical hands-on training, ongoing coaching support, technical bulletins, top tips, and videos unique to starting different vehicle types.

QuestGates enhances digital portfolio

QuestGates has unveiled a new dedicated Digital Assets Loss Adjusting Unit, which includes a 24/7 crypto response, digital assets valuation, recoveries and enforcement.

Movo confirms Moveda launch date

Movo has confirmed it will launch its managing general agent Moveda Underwriting on 1 May.

The MGA, which will be opened up to Movo’s 17 brokers on 1 June and released more widely later in the year, ups its appointed representative network target to 120 next year.

ABI to deliver Consumer Duty Workshop

The Association of British Insurers has announced a new Consumer Duty Workshop, which will be delivered free to all members by DFW on 6 June.

This online workshop will examine consumer support in detail, looking at examples of good and poor practice in respect of handling vulnerability and customer communications.

Sedgwick steps up sustainability focus

Following an alarming report by the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Sedgwick has announced that its repair solutions in the UK are now carbon neutral.

Its next step towards sustainability will include targets for repair contractors to support its wider goal of achieving net zero throughout its entire UK operation.

Marsh increases customer capacity

Global insurance broker and risk advisor Marsh has launched Fast Track, an insurance facility backed by a panel of A-rated global insurers that increases capacity available to its international clients.

Under terms of the facility, insurers will provide up to 10% of the capacity for policies written on a subscription basis.

People

Stephan Farmer has been named Motor Insurance Claims Team Manager at Carpenters Group.

Allianz Insurance has promoted Olivia Baker to Head of Motor Trade and Mark Ashwood to Head of Property Insurance.