In early July, German insurance company HUK-Coburg bought a 25.1 per cent stake in tyre and fast-fit chain Pitstop. HUK-Coburg will now add Pitstop’s garages to its auto service network offering, which sees motorists – both HUK-Coburg insurance customers and non-customers – pre-book basic vehicle servicing online.
Based on claims trends following previous UK lockdowns, insurer NFU Mutual is expecting a sharp increase in accidents from next week. This is when self-contained holiday accommodation lets, non-essential retail, personal care, outdoor hospitality and indoor leisure venues are scheduled to open to the public on 12 April. Claims to NFU Mutual for car accidents increased sharply by 22 per cent over the late May Bank Holiday last year, shortly after lockdown was eased on May 11. Car accident claims also increased by 12 per cent over the Christmas period compared with previous weeks, prompting the insurer to advise caution on the roads. The prediction comes alongside 1 in 4 drivers admitting they are feeling nervous about making long journeys once lockdown restrictions are lifted.
The majority of industries across the UK have been impacted by the effect of COVID-19 and – with up to 60 per cent of garages closed during lockdown – the tyre industry is no exception. Prevailing market conditions combined with the complexity of the pandemic’s damage means that insurers have reduced their risk exposure and overall capacity. This, combined with newer pressures on the horizon, has provided tyre companies with a rationale for bolstering their risk management measures in order to avoid costly and time-consuming slip-ups down the line. Tyres & Accessories spoke with Ben Harrison, vice president, Marsh Commercial in order to find out more.
One in five motor insurance customers were using a dash cam in 2019, according to leading data and analytics company GlobalData’s 2019 UK Consumer Insurance Survey, and Insurtech Inzura’s white-labeled dash cam offering has the potential to increase uptake considerably – reducing premiums for policyholders.
Ease of charging, distance travelled on one charge and saving money are the top considerations for drivers when it comes to buying an electric car. In a national Opinium survey of 2,000 UK drivers, commissioned by InsuretheGap, a leading supplier of GAP (Guaranteed Asset Protection) insurance for new and second-hand cars, four-fifths of drivers answered what would make them more likely to buy an electric car, leaving a fifth that would not buy an electric car in any circumstance.
A survey of more than 2,000 UK drivers, which was commissioned by InsuretheGap.com, a leading supplier of GAP (Guaranteed Asset Protection) insurance for new and second-hand cars, finds that over two-thirds (69 per cent) want new legislation for cyclists including bikes having a registration number to make them identifiable (68 per cent), and more than half (53 per cent) saying cyclists should be required to hold a licence.
Well-known industry insurance company Jelf reports that it has designed specific insurance programmes for the tyre sector in collaboration with the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA). According to Jelf, the insurance market for the tyre industry is diminishing quickly with only a small number of motor trader insurers willing to write insurance policies.
Servicesure has appointed Bollington as its insurance provider, supplying an exclusive comprehensive cover package for the national garage network.
The partnership commenced on Monday 1 April, with Bollington’s team of local account managers providing a carefully-tailored, personal service which establishes each business’ individual insurance requirements.
The polished floors, shiny cars and bright lights of car salesrooms still appeal to the over 55s, but younger age groups are much more likely than older generations to buy their car elsewhere, according to a new Opinium survey of over 2,000 UK drivers.
This Valentine’s Day, 98 per cent of the UK’s drivers are spending it with something they love, even if this is a vehicle. Maybe this is because for eight out of ten drivers, cars give them a sense of freedom and for four out of ten, it never lets them down? Both things which cannot always be said of real-life relationships.
67 per cent of drivers don’t think winter tyres are worth the investment, according to an online poll conducted by Co-op Insurance on 25 January 2019. The Twitter-based poll received votes from 4,084 individuals and a stream of interesting comments on the subject followed.
Technological tipping points are not always easy to identify, and the pace of change in the automotive industry can make it a challenge for garages not affiliated with new car dealerships to stay on top of new carfeatures as they begin to require repair. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are emblematic of this, and considering their centrality to the safe operation of many new cars, the stakes have also risen. Tyres & Accessories visited Hella Gutmann Solutions’ facilities in and around Ihringen, Germany to see how the supplier of diagnostic and camera and sensor recalibration solutions is responding to garages’ increasing need for new equipment, technician training, and data, to address the rise of ADAS.
From parking fines, to mounting the kerb, forgetting homework or being scolded by teachers for missing the school bell, it is no surprise that parents across the UK feel a sense of dread when they think about the school run. New research by MORE TH>N Car Insurance has revealed just how stressful parents find the daily journey, with 31 per cent confessing it is the most stressful part of their entire day and over a quarter (26 per cent) saying they find the school run as stressful – if not a more stressful experience – as buying a house.
The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) has introduced two new trade credit insurance schemes for SMEs and larger businesses in the aftermarket, offering protection against the effects of bad debts and bringing a wide array of benefits. The schemes, from one of the UK’s leading independent specialist trade credit insurance brokers Financial and Credit Insurance Services Limited, are exclusively available through the IAAF to its members.
Nearly three in ten UK residents (29 per cent) heading to Europe on holiday will be getting behind the wheel, equating to 15 million people embarking on European road trips in the next 12 months. While the majority of them are organised when it comes to their car insurance on the continent, new research from Sainsbury’s Bank reveals that many are unaware of specific driving laws in Europe.
Pitstop
Alexas Photos; Pixabay