Credit hire
OFT to refer credit hire study to Competition Commission
The Office of Fair Trading has provisionally decided to refer the private motor insurance market study to the Competition Commission after finding that insurers were too "distracted" with lowering costs and pushing up rivals' premiums to provide…
Friend or Foe: Q&A with Accident Exchange CEO Steve Evans
Steve Evans has spent four years bringing the activities of rate surveyor Autofocus to light, making him an unpopular figure in insurance circles.
Williams denies Accident Exchange settlement claims
Axa boss David Williams has rubbished Accident Exchange's claim that the insurer is reluctant to reach a settlement over the use of Autofocus evidence.
ABI and credit hire firms establish working party for GTA portal
The Association of British Insurers and the credit hire industry have formed a working party to establish a general terms of agreement portal for road accident claims with hire charges.
CHO boss champions General Terms of Agreement at OFT meeting
Credit Hire Organisation director general Martin Andrews has welcomed the opportunity to explain the advantages of the Association of British Insurers' General Terms of Agreement after meeting with Office of Fair Trading officials today.
CPS to decide on Autofocus fraud charges next month
The Crown Prosecution Service is to decide next month whether it will bring a fraud case against the seven former Autofocus employees who Accident Exchange will apply to commit to prison for contempt of court.
OFT to hold meeting with credit hire industry
The Office of Fair Trading is to meet with a host of credit hire companies on Tuesday as part of its market study into the rising cost of motor premiums.
Aviva pays Accident Exchange "seven figure" settlement
Aviva has paid credit hirer Accident Exchange a "seven figure" out-of-court settlement after using "dishonest" Autofocus evidence to reduce its hire charges.
Comment: Uncertainty is the only certainty
2012 could see a raft of changes to the insurance industry
Ancillary income still under scrutiny, despite boost to Admiral profits
After easing the pressure built up during a bodily injury claims-ravaged third quarter, bosses at Admiral have been warned that this year's hot topic of ancillary income could yet provide a sting in the tail.
CPS investigates 'fraudulent' Autofocus employees
The Crown Prosecution Service has confirmed it is examining the case of the seven Autofocus staff who allegedly doctored credit hire rate evidence.
Ai Claims signs three-year deal with ULR
Accident management business Ai Claims Solutions has signed a three-year deal with ULR Additions for the provision of credit hire services.
Ai Claims revenue hit by warmer winter weather
Ai Claims has posted a 21% drop in revenue to £47.5m (from £60.1m in December 2010) for the six months to 31 December 2011, citing warmer winter weather and shorter repair times.
Helphire extends banking agreement until 2014 as it slips into the red
Helphire has announced that it had reached an agreement with the group's bankers for the extension of the expiry date of the existing committed banking facilities from 31 December 2012 to 31 December 2014.
Credit hire: Groupama and MMA "close" to agreeing deal with Accident Exchange
Credit hire firm Accident Exchange is said to be "close" to reaching a compromise agreement with Groupama, Provident and MMA Insurance which used Autofocus to demonstrate that Accident Exchange's rates were too high.
Autofocus Legal Action: Rival CHOs line up to take on insurers as Autofocus employees face prison
Long-running legal battle could bring the credit hire industry and the insurance industry closer together
Helphire to investigate Autofocus cases
Credit hire company Helphire is to re-open and review its cases which used evidence from Autofocus with a view to making recoveries.
Aviva and Brit credit hire cases reach Court of Appeal
Seven credit hire cases involving Aviva and Brit are set to be heard in the Court of Appeal later this month, Post has learnt.
Credit hire: Collision course
The thorny issue of credit hire continues to tax insurers — but should they be doing more to control costs?
Law report: Claim for hire appeal denied due to procedural irregularities
This law report has been contributed by national law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer.
Former Autofocus employees face prison over 'doctored' credit hire evidence
“Flabbergasted” judges have granted Accident Exchange permission to apply to commit seven former Autofocus employees to prison for contempt of court.
Helphire cancelled agreement due to low level of hires, claims WNS
Bosses at WNS Assistance have said the termination of a partnership agreement with Helphire was sparked by the accident management firm following concerns that WNS was failing to provide enough credit hires through its repairer network.
WNS to ditch Helphire in favour of Accidents Happen brand
The commercial relationship between WNS Assistance and Helphire will come to an end in April - one year after Helphire was appointed third party provider for credit services following concerns expressed by the WNS Approved Repairer Network.
Credit hire: Two sides to the story
Credit hire organisations and insurers are blaming each other for the cost of credit hire. With the Office of Fair Trading conducting a review, will anyone emerge victorious?