Fix Auto appoints Portsmouth-based Motorworld Car Bodyshop to its national network

Fix Auto UK has further strengthened its national bodyshop network with the appointment of Portsmouth-based Motorworld Car Bodyshop Ltd.

The latest signing comes less than two weeks after Fix Auto Tavistock joined the operation and cements Fix Auto's position as the UK's largest fully-branded body repair network.
Owned and managed by brothers Chris and Terry Clemens who started the business in 1996, the new appointment will trade as Fix Auto Portsmouth and is strategically placed in the heart of the historic naval city.

The BSI Kitemark-accredited 10,000 sq ft operation employs 10 people and has the capability to repair up to 150 cars and LCVs each month.

"We have succeeded so far by providing a high quality repair service," said Terry, "but my brother and I recognise that despite our high standards, to continue to flourish we needed the very best business support and guidance the industry has to offer. Fix Auto UK brings those qualities, and far more besides, to our business. We're very proud to be working alongside like minded repair centres who share the same vision."

Chris added: "We are extremely excited to become part of Fix Auto UK. We have been working behind the scenes with the Fix Auto UK team over the past month and in that short amount of time we are already reaping the benefits with the implementation of new working practices and systems. We're looking forward to seeing the tangible impact on our bottom line and we believe that we will have a bright and prosperous future."

Commenting on the latest appointment, Fix Auto UK's Managing Director Ian Pugh, said: "These are really exciting times for the entire business. Adding Fix Auto Portsmouth is a major coup for our network because it strengthens our service offering in the south of England to insurers and motorists alike. It dovetails nicely with our existing bodyshops in Petersfield and Brighton in the area, and fits perfectly with the requirements of our major clients. I'm delighted to welcome Chris and Terry on board!"

Road Safety Insight: Councillors Deem Potholes As ‘Annoying, Common And Uncontrollable’

The top road safety priority for local councillors is improving road surfaces and reducing potholes, according to a survey conducted by road safety charity, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).

74 per cent of councillors placed potholes in their top five road-safety priorities while 61 per cent think that the budgets for repairing them will decrease or stay the same.

Almost half of councillors surveyed think that road safety targets should have been kept. Fifty-eight per cent of local councillors agree that budget cuts are having a negative impact on roads and road safety, with one in four councillors strongly agreeing.

Although councillors agreed that transport was a priority half of them thought that their transport budget would reduce in the next year.

In a separate Motortrades Insight survey of councillors across the UK, nearly one in four (23.8 per cent) say potholes in their local area are ‘very annoying, common and uncontrollable’.

Road safety is a huge topic for councillors, with 80 per cent of those in Motortrades Insight’s survey knowing a person who has been ‘dramatically affected by drink driving’.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “It’s good to see that potholes are councillors’ top priority as this is a big concern for motorists.  More must be done to fix our roads before the backlog of repairs becomes unmanageable.

“The results show that different political parties offer the electorate real choice on their transport priorities. Conservative councillors are more likely to focus on road building, road surfaces and car parking, while Labour councillors appear to be more likely to prioritise road safety and the use of public transport. Liberal Democrats are more likely to focus on cycling and walking.

“Councillors say that road safety is a priority so they must put up a stronger fight to protect road safety budgets.  It’s also clear that there is a need to set up smart new targets that will help everyone in road safety focus on the highest risk groups in society.”

End to compensation culture as government announces cracks down on ambulance chasing law firms

- Ambulance chasing law firms facing crackdown by ministers in move that could see insurance premiums drop

- Justice Secretary Chris Grayling wants to 'turn the tide on Britain's compensation culture'

- The fees lawyers can make for processing minor injury claims are to be reduced by more than half

- New limits will be placed on 'no win, no fee' cases

- The cost of car insurance could fall 10-15 per cent as a result of reduced payouts

Insurance premiums are expected to fall as ministers attempt to halt the gravy train for 'ambulance-chasing' lawyers.

Justice Secretary Chris Grayling will say today it is time to 'turn the tide on Britain's compensation culture' as he sets out reforms designed to slash rip-off legal fees and prevent insurers, claims firms and garages selling on details of accident victims.

So-called 'referral fees' are being banned, and the fees lawyers can make from processing basic claims for minor injuries suffered in road accidents will be cut by more than half from £1,200 to £500.

The Government is also imposing new limits on what lawyers can earn from controversial 'no win, no fee' cases.

Experts predict a 10 to 15 per cent drop in motoring premiums over the next 12 months as the changes take effect.

The existing system has pushed up legal costs and damages, and is blamed for a boom in whiplash injury claims, making car cover more expensive for all.

Ministers say it has also forced up insurance premiums in other areas, leaving schools, community groups and local authorities fearful of staging events and activities.

Mr Grayling told the Daily Mail: "We are turning the tide on the compensation culture. It's pushing up the cost of insurance, and making it more expensive to drive a car or organise an event. It's time the whole system was re balanced."

Referral fees were legalised in 2004 by the last Labour government, leading to a boom in the claims management industry. The cost of personal injury claims doubled to £14 billion in ten years.

Police, insurance companies, unscrupulous lawyers and breakdown firms have been accused of conspiring to profit from unsuspecting members of the public.

Fees are paid to claims management companies, garages and insurance firms which provide details of accidents to personal injury lawyers in a business estimated to have been worth £3 billion a year.

Claims managers then bombard motorists with texts and phone calls offering to help them to pursue compensation claims for alleged injuries.

The practice of referral fees has also left many hospitals, local councils and businesses with large legal bills.
Personal injury work is worth around £1.8 billion a year for solicitors, while the NHS is paying more than £1 billion a year in damages

The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act, which has just come into effect, prohibits payment and receipt of referral fees in personal injury cases by solicitors, claims management companies and insurers.

Claims firms are also being banned from offering upfront cash incentives or other gifts to those who bring cases to them.

Mr Grayling said that fees in 'no win, no fee' cases in the civil courts would also be limited. Previously, it has been possible to claim a 'success fee' on top of damages from defendants, often doubling what lawyers earn. Now, defendants will have to pay only the damages and the lawyer's basic fee.

From July, Mr Grayling said, a system used to settle payouts for road accidents quickly and simply without expensive court cases will be extended to also include claims for accidents at work and in public places.
The so-called 'claims portal' will also start handling claims up to the value of £25,000, up from £10,000 now.

The minister also promised action to crack down on the spiraling number of whiplash claims.

The Ministry of Justice has consulted on proposals to set up independent medical panels to improve injury assessment and allow the more questionable claims to be more easily challenged in court by insurers.

Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance, said: 'The reforms should go some way towards bringing "no win, no fee" type whiplash injury claims under control and will thus reduce the costs of claims.'