The Accessor Winter 2025 Web - Flipbook - Page 11
What are some of the major
changes you have seen in the
industry and how have you
and your team adapted to
those changes?
The constant evolution of the motor
vehicle is one that is very dif昀椀cult to
keep up with both with regards to the
materials used, and the safety systems
昀椀tted. When combined with modern
repair regulations and manufacturer
methods, it can be incredibly
challenging for someone who is not
constantly working directly within the
repair industry to keep their knowledge
up to date.
Back when I started in the industry,
there was very little regulation
regarding repairs. As an apprentice I
was told that the more MIG weld you
used, the better ‘as it was stronger’
and it was not unusual to see 昀椀breglass
being used as a base 昀椀ller for deep
dents, or to see 昀椀ller being applied
to the side of vans with number
plates. Thankfully repair methods and
equipment have moved on.
What are the key issues facing
motor engineers in 2025?
I have already touched on the technical
challenges around modern motor
vehicles. I think that the key issue for
motor engineers, particularly those
working for an insurer, revolve around
the number of ‘additional parties’
that either have a vested interest in
delaying a claim, or increasing the
repair costs. Unfortunately, this can be
seen as a result of decades whereby
some insurers have treated repairers
without respect and not worked with
the interest of their customer or the
repairer at heart. The years of dictator
type insurer/repairer relationships has
given fuel to the rise of the additional
party which had driven up costs.
paid directly. The customers desire for
like-for-like cars has led to an explosion
in the credit hire industry which often
adds thousands of pounds to a repair
cost and unfortunately drives up the
cost of insurance. Likewise, there are a
growing number of organisations who
feel the need to instruct repairers how
to maximise costs, and when combined
with accident management companies
to take a bottom line percentage
for referrals, you can understand
why garages need to maximise their
estimates in order to cover the
back-end referral fees.
For those who use Audatex, zone 99
used to be used for little additional
extras that were not covered in the
main graphics. It now often looks like a
Christmas ‘wish list’ of everything that
someone once told the repairer that
they could charge for.
These repairer cost increases lead to
an increase in premiums, which in turn
leads to policyholders taking very large
voluntary excesses in order to reduce
their policy costs. This in turn means
that they are less likely to make a claim
for smaller crashes, which leads to an
increase in low end body repairers
who can repair cheaply for cash.
Unfortunately, this also means that
the insurer is likely to only be advised
of larger repairs, which due to the
increase in repair and credit hire costs,
likely leads to the majority of vehicles
being handled on a total loss basis,
and a smaller amount of work for the
quality repairers.
Moving forward, motor engineers
need build solid relationships with
repairers, based on mutual respect,
trust and honesty. Whilst they clearly
need to stay professional, they must
take a bigger picture view to ensure
that vehicles are repaired correctly,
using the right repair methods and
for the right price. Work with repairers
to improve the level of service to our
customers and strengthen the future of
the motor industry.
Gone are the days of just informing
your insurer of a crash, that insurer
supplying a courtesy car, and the
garage repairing the car then being
www.iaea-online.org/news/the-assessor | WINTER 2025 | THE ASSESSORS JOURNAL
What in昀氀uenced your decision
to join the IAEA Council?
I have been a member for many
years but had little direct involvement
with the IAEA. I had received some
feedback from some of our motor
engineers who are working towards
IAEA accreditation, which I felt obliged
to pass on to the Institute. In response
to this feedback, I had some very
interesting conversations with David
Punter who outlined his vision for
the ongoing future of the IAEA. I was
extremely impressed with, not only
his vision, but his clear passion for the
industry. Therefore, I was honoured
when David asked if I would like to
help with moving the Institute forward
and readily accepted the offer.
What value can the IAEA
bring to Members?
I have a very practical mindset and put
a lot of trust into ‘what feels right’. This
is one thing that has always helped
me when building relationships with
customers and repairers.
I like to get things done and I am
happy to put myself forward if I believe
that I can help or make a difference.
I guess that the biggest thing I bring is
honesty. I will tell you what I believe to
be right, but won’t be offended if you
don’t agree…
Finally, outside of work, what
do you enjoy?
I am a big fan of rugby and a fan of
Exeter Chiefs although, having moved
back to Bristol a few years ago, and
living within walking distance of Ashton
Gate, I do tend to watch the Bristol
Bears more often (and cheer them on
unless they’re playing the Chiefs).
I am also a trustee for the Tobacco
Factory Theatre in Bristol. My youngest
son is an actor, having recently
passed his degree. As the parent of
a ‘wannabe’ child actor you spend
hundreds of hours chaperoning at
auditions, rehearsals and shows. At the
time I hated it, (having to sit through
a lifetime of amateur Shakespeare
rehearsals was really not my thing) but
once Joe turned 18 and didn’t need
me to attend any more, I really felt
that something was missing. Getting
involved with a local but well-known
theatre was a breath of fresh air. I don’t
act – in fact I can’t think of anything
worse – but I bring a ‘voice of the
audience’ to the board, which is where
my honesty comes in.
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