ILC Breakfast News – Wednesday, 6 September 2023

ClaimsTech LIVE to highlight positive impacts

Corelogic’s SVP International, Michael Porter is set to ignite ClaimsTech LIVE’s look at the positive impacts of technology during a fireside chat exploring the importance of collaboration and strategy in claims automation. 

More sessions revealed for Risk and Compliance event 

More session themes have been revealed for ILC’s inaugural consumer-focused Risk and Compliance conference with trust, fraud prevention and benchmarking all key components of discussions. 

CoreLogic brings INTRCONNECT to Europe

CoreLogic will host INTRCONNECT Europe at 8 Northumberland, London, on 20 September. 

Following the success of a similar INTRCONNECT event in Los Angeles earlier this year, INTRCONNECT Europe, supported by official media sponsor ILC, will take place under the banner, Making Everything Possible Together, and will focus on three key areas of disruption: climate change; artificial intelligence and machine learning; and supply chain challenges.

MGA Claims event to unpick data insights

ILC’s MGA Claims Conference will unpick data insights relating to both overall business performance and consumer experience on 28 September in London. 

The latest announcements include key data sessions delivered by Dan King, Founder of Insurance Data Lab and Catherine Carey, Head of Marketing, Consumer Intelligence.

Castle Insurance acquires Square Circle Brokers

Brown & Brown company Castle Insurance has continued its expansion strategy with the acquisition of Durham-based commercial insurance brokerage Square Circle Brokers.

Arch continues student support

Arch Insurance has completed the second year of its student mentorship programme, supporting students working towards their General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) at Manchester Academy.

To date it has welcomed 23 students, providing guidance, advice and feedback on topics such as career planning, time management, professional etiquette, public speaking and presentation skills.

New names added to motor conference line-up

LexisNexis Risk Solutions and Wiser Academy are two of the latest names to support ILC’s Exclusive Motor Claims Conference on Thursday 5 October. 

LexisNexis Risk Solutions has pledged its support to the event as Gold Sponsor, while already Gold Sponsor Wiser Academy’s CEO, Crescens George, will be joining discussions centred around the human/technology requirements of future-proof motor claims operations. 

Rising thefts mean rising premiums

Consumer Intelligence has reported that a 25% year-on-year spike in vehicle thefts in 2022 has contributed significantly to motor premium inflation.

Meanwhile, it found that the AA was the fastest growing car insurance brand in the six months to April 2023, increasing market share by 1.2%.

Meet the member: DLH Autorecycler

e2e Total Loss Vehicle Management has introduced network member DLH Autorecyclers as part of its blog series highlighting the infrastructure, knowledge and capabilities within its network.

Norfolk-based DLH Autorecyclers serves customers from two fully licenced authorised treatment facilities, managed by Dave and Jo Horsnell.

Mirka reveals sustainability successes

Mirka is publishing its 2022 Sustainability Report, highlighting the progress it has made towards achieving a net zero future.

Supported by £26m funding from Business Finland, it has achieved a 56% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions at its Finnish production sites.

Ben steps up suicide prevention support

Automotive charity Ben has enhanced its support services for industry colleagues by launching a month-long campaign around suicide prevention.

The campaign comes after Office of National Statistics data revealed that in 2021 there were 6,567 deaths by suicide registered in the UK, with 74% being men and those aged between 45 and 49 among the most vulnerable.

EV charge drives soaring sales

A huge surge in EV sales contributed to a 24% increase in new car registrations in August.

According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, 85,657 new vehicles were sold in the month. This represents an increase of 16,799 units but is still 7.5% below pre-pandemic levels.

Aviva launches Make it Click campaign

Aviva will launch a new interactive advertising campaign on ITV, ‘Make it Click’, intended to help households manage the cost-of-living crisis.

Evolution launches new recruitment drive

Leading insurance claims management solutions specialist Evolution Claims Management is accelerating staff recruitment on the back of accelerated growth.

The tech-based West Midlands firm is bringing in employees in a range of roles from claims handlers to finance and IT.

Steepling home insurance costs still climbing

Average home insurance prices rose by 25.7% in the 12 months to July, the highest annual increase on record.

This is according to the Consumer Intelligence Home Insurance Price Index, which forecasts further price rises to come.

Ecclesiastical named Which? Best Buy

Ecclesiastical’s home insurance products ‘Set Sum Insured’ and ‘Bespoke’ were rated as ‘Best Buys for 2023’ by consumer magazine Which?

Which? analyses 21 aspects of buildings cover, 40 areas of contents cover and 25 features in both policies. 

RAAC schools fail safety test

The Department for Education has advised some schools and buildings with Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) to close until modifications have been made, after finding that RAAC is ‘weaker’ than normal concrete.

Mortgage debts bite into pensions

Latest research from the LV= Wealth and Wellbeing Research Programme has found that 32% of mortgage holders don’t think they will pay off their mortgage by age 65, with the average mortgage debt outstanding at retirement £38,000.

Activate Group announced as ILC partner

ILC is delighted to announce that Activate Group has joined the community as a Motor Corporate Partner.

Activate Group is well-established in the motor claims sector, delivering data-driven solutions to fleets, insurers, brokers and MGAs to help them exceed customer expectations and adapt to an evolving market.

Claims complaints on the rise

The Financial Ombudsman Service has reported that the total number of claims complaints rose by some 60% over the first three months 2023, with travel insurance the worst performing business line with 87% of all complaints related to claims.

Carpenters CEO in line for top award

Carpenters Group CEO Donna Richards has been shortlisted in the ‘Contribution to Gender Diversity’ category at the Lead5050 Awards.

The international awards celebrate the leading industry voices in gender equality from around the world.

ILC Industry Leader Interview: Emma Fuller, Partner- Head of Motor and Casualty Market Strategy, DAC Beachcroft LLP

Emma Fuller, DAC Beachcroft, shares her thoughts on the industry and her predictions for what is to come next.

APIL takes on government over fixed costs rules

APIL is challenging new rules to extend fixed recoverable costs in personal injury cases.

The new rules are due to be introduced on 1 October despite the fact that a government consultation into their viability does not conclude until 8 September.

FCP expands scope

Eleven new currencies have been added to the Faster Claims Payment solution, supported by Lloyds.

They are the Australian Dollar, Swiss Franc, Danish Krone, Euro, Hong Kong Dollar, Japanese Yen, Norwegian Krone, New Zealand Dollar, Swedish Krona, Singapore Dollar, and South African Rand.

DLG to repay overcharged customers

Direct Line Group will carry out a review to identify customers who paid more to renew home or motor policies than new customers would have done, and then provide appropriate compensation.

This follows an investigation by the Financial Conduct Authority.

People

Qlaims has announced that Stuart Reid has joined us as a non-executive director.

Aviva has named Jason Storah as CEO, UK & Ireland General Insurance, and Tracy Garrad as CEO of Aviva Canada.

Direct Line Group has announced that Adam Winslow has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer.

Chloe Gunn has returned from maternity leave to take up a new position as Head of Growth, Motor at Innovation Group UK.

Paul Sykes has started a new position as Motor Fleet Risk Consultant at Zurich Insurance.

Allianz has appointed Simon Powell as new Head of Travel Claims.