Thatcham Research - Crash prevention will be the ultimate key to 5-star cars

Coveted 5-star safety ratings may soon be awarded only to those cars that can avoid or reduce the impact of a crash, as Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) marks the way forward for future road safety, according to Thatcham Research.

Euro NCAP today releases data on AEB crash tests, collected from approved test centres around Europe. Half of the tests* were carried out by Thatcham, the British motor insurers' automotive research facility.

Thatcham has been researching and testing Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) systems on behalf of insurers for the last 3 years and has carried out hundreds of tests on a wide range of new vehicles.

Peter Shaw, chief executive of Thatcham Research said: "The vast majority of major vehicle manufacturers are already providing AEB technologies on their vehicles and such is their effectiveness, we are delighted that international safety body Euro NCAP will incorporate the Thatcham led test as part of their overall vehicle safety standard in 2014. We expect that, by 2016, cars will find it increasingly difficult to achieve a 5-star rating unless they have this powerful safety measure. UK insurers are already offering favourable insurance groupings on vehicles fitted with AEB as standard – a clear sign of its effectiveness."

"The evidence from our testing is undeniable, and combined with a growing body of real world research and evidence we firmly believe that AEB and other ADAS (Advanced Driver Assist Systems) have a critical role to play in avoiding both common low-speed bumps that can cause injuries such as whiplash, and mitigating injuries and fatalities from medium-speed crashes," said Shaw.

*Thatcham carried out AEB testing on the following vehicles:
Ford Focus (Active City Stop)
Volvo XC60 (City Safety)
Volvo V40 (City Safety + Collision Warning with Full Autobrake)
Mercedes E-Class (Pre-Safe Brake)

http://www.motorworldarc.co.uk/news.asp

Ministry of Justice (MoJ) - announces further measures to clamp down on 'whiplash fraudsters'

Justice Secretary Chris Grayling is today announcing measures to help motorists to cut the cost of running a car including:

- a crackdown on whiplash fraud
- a freeze on MOT test prices
- a scheme designed to reduce the cost of fuel at motorway service stations,

Average motor insurance premiums have already fallen by more than 12% over the past year, equivalent to an £80 reduction on an average policy, thanks to Ministry of Justice reforms to no-win, no-fee deals and action on rogue claims firms - according to new statistics from the AA.

Justice Secretary Chris Grayling said:

"We are turning the tide on the compensation culture and helping hardworking people by tackling high insurance premiums and other motoring costs.

"It's not right that people who cheat the insurance system get away with it while forcing up the price for everyone else - so we are now going after whiplash fraudsters and will keep on driving premiums down."

He has announced today that:

. Whiplash cheats, whose bogus compensation claims have helped to force up average motor insurance premiums, will be targeted by new independent medical panels which will ensure only evidence from accredited professionals can be considered.
This will mean people can no longer profit from exaggerated or fraudulent compensation claims but victims with genuine cases can still get the help they deserve.
These will be introduced from next year.

. The statutory maximum price of the MOT test for a car will be frozen at £54.85 until 2015 - potentially saving up to £50m for drivers every year.

. Action will be taken on high motorway fuel prices. New comparison road signs will be trialled which will show prices at different service stations along a route, making it easier for drivers to get the cheapest deal and encouraging competition on prices.

. The fees charged for the driving test will be reviewed, including the current £31 for the theory test, £62 for the practical test and £50 fee for the provisional licence, to identify any opportunity to save money for the 1.5m car drivers who take their test every year.

Roads Minister Robert Goodwill said:

"The costs of owning and running a car are felt by millions of households and businesses across the nation. The Government is determined to help keep those costs down. That is why we are freezing the price for an MOT test and looking again at the costs associated with getting a driving licence.

"We also want to make it easier for people to get a better deal on fuel at motorway service stations, for instance through a trial of motorway signs that will show motorists the different fuel prices on offer on their route."

New statistics from the AA show that motor insurance premiums are now falling at the fastest rate since 1994 - a fall of 12.3% in the year to October for an average comprehensive insurance policy, from £648 in October 2012 to £568 in October 2013.

New figures from the MoJ's Claims Management Regulation unit also show that the number of claims firms in the market has plummeted by more than 1,000 following the law changes, from a peak of 2,553 in December 2011 to 1,485 last month. The firms are responsible for bombarding the public with adverts for profitable compensation claims.

Despite these successes whiplash claims remain an issue which Government will continue to fight. The number of claims has fallen since 2011 but there were still almost half a million whiplash claims in 2012.
Insurers say these claims cost them more than £2bn in payouts and lead to an average premium increase of £90 for drivers.
Each whiplash compensation payout costs an average of £2,400 insurers say, with an additional £2,000 in legal costs.

The Government will now work quickly with experts to implement the independent medical panels.
This will include developing a scheme for accrediting medical experts who can assess whiplash injuries, enhancing the medical reporting process, improving information for medical assessments and carrying out spot checks to ensure quality.

Plans for improved data sharing by insurers will also help police, including the specialist Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department, to track down criminal fraudsters.

Prime Minister David Cameron pledged action to tackle high insurance premiums following a summit with the insurance industry in February 2012, where insurers committed to pass on savings to their customers.

Since then the Ministry of Justice has:

. Transformed no win, no fee deals so lawyers can no longer double their fees if they win, at the expense of defendants and their insurers.

. Banned "referral fees" paid between lawyers, insurers, claims firms, garages and others for profitable claims - which have driven the growth of compensation culture.

. Reduced by more than half the fees lawyers can charge insurers for processing basic, uncontested claims for compensation for minor injuries suffered in road accidents - from £1,200 to £500.

. Banned claims firms from offering cash incentives or gifts to people who bring them claims. Recommend a friend deals also banned, along with contracts agreed only over the phone.

http://www.motorworldarc.co.uk/news.asp

Uninsured driving - police make £218,000 profit from selling-off uninsured Lamborghini Aventado

Police made a tidy £218,000 profit today after a seized Lamborghini Aventador was auctioned off when the owner failed to come forward to claim it. 

ABP carried the news on 3 October that the car had been seized after being stopped in Newham, East London aspart of Operation Cubo, an on-going Police action to crack down on uninsured vehicles.

The Lamborghini was stopped because its front number plate was missing, causing police to carry out further checks when they discovered that the driver had no insurance.

When the owner failed to provide the correct paperwork, the car was put up for sale at Manheim's in Colchester.

http://www.motorworldarc.co.uk/news.asp

27 arrested in 'ghost broking' fake car insurance scams

Twenty-seven people have been arrested in dawn raids across the country by detectives investigating the sale of fake car insurance policies, a practice commonly known as 'ghost broking'.

Twenty-eight warrants were executed in the Leicestershire, London, Manchester, Thames Valley, West Midlands areas early this morning (Wednesday 9 October 2013), in a police day of action that marks the culmination of months of investigation by the City of London Police's Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED).

One hundred and sixty-eight officers took part in the operation, with the City of London Police unit supported by colleagues from the force's Economic Crime Directorate as well as officers from Greater Manchester, Leicestershire, Metropolitan, Thames Valley and West Midlands police forces.

Ghost brokers often target young drivers by offering cheap deals but anyone who buys one of their policies will find themselves driving without insurance, which could lead to their car being seized by police, fines, penalties and a criminal record. Uninsured drivers will also have to pick up the bill for any damage or injuries they cause in a crash.

IFED has already brought to justice ghost brokers who have tried to sell or sold cheap fake car insurance policies online, using phony websites as well as genuine classifieds and social media websites. The unit has had reports of ghost brokers operating in communities, approaching people in restaurants and internet cafes as well as on university campuses.

DCI Dave Wood, Head of IFED, said: "This day of action reveals ghost broking to be a UK-wide problem which is being met by a national law enforcement response, led by IFED.

"The consequences for innocent motorists who fall victims to ghost brokers can be dire, so it is absolutely vital that drivers shopping for car insurance online, or through other means, question what they are being offered to ensure they get a real deal.

"Driver diligence, coupled with enforcement action being taken by IFED and supported by local forces, is the best way to confront this threat now and in the future."

Advice for drivers on how to secure the cheapest legitimate policy possible is available on the
Association of British Insurers' website.

Anyone who believes they have fallen victim to insurance fraud should contact Action Fraud.

Information on suspected ghost brokers can be reported confidentially through the Insurance Fraud Bureau's Cheatline, powered by Crimestoppers, on 0800 422 0421.

Arrest breakdown across the police force areas as follows:

.  Greater Manchester Police = 3
.  Leicestershire Police = 1
.  Metropolitan Police = 9
.  Thames Valley Police = 3
.  West Midlands Police = 11

The precise offence the 25 people were arrested on suspicion of is fraud by false representation. One person was arrested on suspicion of burglary and another was arrested on suspicion of immigration offences.

http://www.motorworldarc.co.uk/news.asp

Crash-for-cash - 86 people charged by Gwent Police in alleged scam involving garage known as St David's Crash Repair and as Easifix

A total of 86 people have been charged in relation to an alleged insurance scam in Caerphilly county.

Charges include fraud against insurance firms, conspiracy to steal vehicles and money laundering, said Gwent Police.

Those charged, from Caerphilly county and Cardiff, are due to appear before Cwmbran magistrates on 10 October.

Gwent Police said it followed a two-year investigation into a "crash for cash" scheme - where accidents are staged to defraud insurance companies.

The force said the inquiry, called Operation Dino,(see ABP News of 29 Oct 2012 and 13 Mch 2012) is into allegations relating to a garage known as both St David's Crash Repair and Easifix, which was based in Pengam, Blackwood.

Det Sgt Andy Cullen, who has been part of the investigative team, said:

"A team of officers and detectives have been investigating this sophisticated 'crash for cash scheme' alongside the Insurance Fraud Bureau for more than two years, and this has led to the arrest and charge of these 86 individuals.

"If you suspect anyone of committing insurance fraud, you can contact the police on 101 or report them directly to the free and confidential IFB Cheatline on 0800 422 0421, or online at www.insurancefraudbureau.org/report."

Gwent Police said the Operation Dino team was established in 2011 using officers from several different departments of the force to specifically investigate suspected "crash for cash" insurance frauds.

http://www.motorworldarc.co.uk/news.asp

Over 2 million motorists carry out of date licence

There are over two million motorists in the UK who are currently driving with an out of date driving licence.  Most drivers believe that their new style licence is for life but the licence actually expires after a set period and has to be renewed, in fact photocard licences must be renewed every ten years.

It is a good idea to dig your licence out and do a quick check and avoid a £ 1000 fine. There are a few dates printed on the photocard, but the one you are looking for it the photo expiry date printed on section 4b on the front of the card.  If you find it is out of date then you need to renew it, the process is the same as if you were replacing a lost or stolen licence, you can either apply online, providing you've a had a new digital passport issued in the last five years (it'll use the same photo as on your passport), by post or in person at selected post offices (this does incur an extra cost of £ 4.50 on top of the £ 20 fee).

Check name and address

When checking that date on your licence also check that you have the correct address on it. It is free to change your address and you still risk the £ 1000 fine if it has not been updated. It has been reported that over 2.6 million motorists have not updated their driving licence with their current address and 3% of married women had an out-of-date name on their licence, which can also incur a £ 1,000 fine.

The first batch of ten year photo licences was issued in July 1998 so if you received your licence that year your licence will most certainly be out of date.

The DVLA state that drivers are allowed to continue driving if they have failed to renew before the expiry date but they ‘could’ be charged with ‘failing to surrender their licence’ which is an offence carrying the  £ 1000 fine.  The Association of British Insurers and the Department of Transport said that insurance cover was not affected if drivers failed to update their photocard. It's also worth noting the DVLA advises any driver travelling abroad to carry a photocard licence, rather than the older all-paper version, whilst this isn't obligatory, it may make your journey easier where required.

- See more at: http://www.motoring.co.uk/car-news/over-2-million-motorists-carry-out-of-date-licence_57847#sthash.sd595zDh.dpuf

HPI - warn that they check 625 cars a day which are revealed to be an insurance write-off

HPI urges used car buyers to protect themselves against the threat of purchasing a potential death trap masquerading as a bargain.

One in 33 vehicles checked by HPI, in 2012, was an insurance total loss - otherwise known as a write-off.

This equates to 625 cars a day or over 223,000 cars per year being dangerously repaired and sold on to unsuspecting consumers.

Don't take the risk, warns HPI, get a vehicle history check, such as the HPI Check to confirm if a vehicle has a hidden past.

All vehicles that are written off are put in to one of four categories, depending on the level of its condition.
The categories include cars that can be repaired and returned to the road, or ones that are recommended to be totally scrapped and never allowed back on the road again.

It is not illegal to repair or return 'written off for salvage' vehicles back to the road as long as the seller declares the facts and provides evidence that the car has passed a Vehicle Identity Check (VIC).

However, says HPI, a lack of good quality second hand cars for sale, means unscrupulous sellers are using a variety of ways of conning used car buyers out of their money.

Daniel Burgess, Managing Director for HPI explains,

"Criminals continue to capitalise on a shortage of used cars for sale by disguising write-offs as a good buy.
It's all too easy to be taken in by shiny paintwork and a low price, but it could be hiding a multitude of faults that haven't been fixed.
Unscrupulous vendors will sell a write-off to make a quick profit but if the vehicle is not properly repaired any price is too high."

An HPI Check will give a used car buyer the complete picture of a vehicle's history, including revealing if the car has been an insurance write-off and if so, which category.
This offers protection from paying good money for a vehicle that is not fit for purpose and a possible safety risk.

Daniel Burgess concludes,
"A check against HPI's registers will tell you if the car has ever been written-off.
However, we recommend that anyone looking to buy a car that has been declared an insurance write-off should seek to have it independently checked by Autolign or Thatcham to ensure that it is in fact road worthy before they part with their cash."

The ABI Categories of 'Write off'

Category A

Scrap only - i.e. with few or no economically salvageable parts and of value only for scrap metal e.g. total burnouts. These vehicles should not appear on the road.

Category B

Break for spare parts if economically viable. These vehicles should not reappear on the road.

Category C

Repairable total loss vehicles where repair costs exceed the vehicle's pre-accident value.

Category D

Repairable total loss vehicles where repair costs do not exceed the vehicle's pre-accident value.

The HPI Check includes a mileage check against the National Mileage Register (NMR) as standard, now with over 160 million mileage readings.
HPI also confirms whether a vehicle is currently recorded as stolen with the police, has outstanding finance against it or has been written-off, making it the best way for consumers to protect themselves from fraudsters looking to make a fast profit.

In addition, the HPI Check offers a £40,000 Guarantee in the event of the information it provides being inaccurate, offering added financial peace of mind to used car buyers.

- All cars written-off, excluding Category D write offs, must pass a Vehicle Identity Check (VIC) with the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA).

- Insurers notify the DVLA of all cars 'written off' within salvage categories A, B, C and D.

- This notification will set a 'VIC marker' against the DVLA vehicle record for Category A, B and C write-off.

- While a VIC marker remains set, DVLA won't issue a registration certificate V5C, or vehicle license reminder V11.

- VOSA carries out the VIC which is designed to confirm the car's identity, not its road worthiness.

- This helps to ensure that the genuine car is returned to the road in a bid to reduce the problem of ringing - when stolen cars are given the identity of a written-off vehicle.

- The VIC marker will only be removed when the car passes a VIC test by VOSA.