The Accessor Winter 2025 Web - Flipbook - Page 8
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RIGHT TO REPAIR
The Right to Repair Europe coalition
which represents more than 180
organisations from 29 European
countries, includes repair groups,
parts distributors, the FIA and
Insurance Europe, advocates for the
right to repair. The group has issued
a joint statement on repair in the
proposed regulation on circularity
requirements for vehicle design and on
management of end-of-life vehicles,
saying a repairability score should be
introduced.
Given the strong reliance of Europeans
on cars (88% of households own
at least one) and their high cost,
automotive longevity is a major issue
for consumers. Jeopardising the right
to repair for vehicles means driving
up maintenance costs, insurance
premiums, and pushing towards
premature replacement. It also means
making it dif昀椀cult for European
aftermarket actors such as independent
repairers and spare parts distributors to
stay in business.”
It said: “Vehicle reparability is
important in terms of sustainability
– it’s essential to reduce resource
use and support EU independence
from imports of critical raw materials,
especially when it comes to batteries
in electric vehicles (EVs) – but also
from a socio-economic perspective.
“The next step in the legislative
process will be the publication of a
draft report by the EU Parliament on
the Regulation proposed by the EU
Commission. We therefore urge the
co-legislators to take into account our
input as the right for consumers and
businesses to repair vehicles must be
safeguarded and strengthened. We
also invite organisations working on
vehicle repairs and spare parts to join
our coalition and advocate together
for more repairable vehicles, more
accessible spare parts, less software
tricks blocking repair, and much more!”
It calls for design for repair and
access to spare parts, and a minimum
requirement should be introduced with
regards to availability of spare parts
for at least 20 years after the end of
placement of a vehicle on the market.
DASHCAMS ARE “ESSENTIAL DIGITAL
WITNESS FOR EVERY DRIVER”
Installing a dashcam is an investment
in road safety, says breakdown
organisation GEM Motoring Assist.
According to GEM, a dashcam can
provide crucial evidence in case of
collisions or incidents, helping to
determine fault and protect against
false claims. That’s why a number of
insurers offer discounts for drivers who
use them – ranging from 5% to 20%.
GEM head of road safety James
Luckhurst said:
“If you’re a safe, conscientious driver, a
dashcam helps protect your no-claims
bonus, as well as allowing you to play
your part in reporting offences, road
rage incidents and ‘crash-for-cash’
scams.
“Price drops in recent years have made
dashcams much more affordable, with
prices starting from £20 or less.
“Dashcams provide crucial evidence
in case of collisions or incidents,
helping to determine fault and protect
against false claims. They can capture
unexpected events on the road, deter
vandalism and theft when parked.
A dashcam will also record scenic
journeys you can play back in future.”
could be prosecuted on the strength of
your own evidence.
GEM also warns drivers their own
dashcam evidence could be used
against them in legal proceedings.
The police have the right to seize it as
evidence in the event of an incident
and if it shows you to have been a
culpable driver in that incident, you
Dashcam footage is admissible as
evidence in UK courts, who will
consider dashcam evidence alongside
other forms of evidence, such as
witness statements. In that regard
it can be vital in proving fault in a
collision or other incident.
APPOINTMENTS
Aviva has announced the appointment of Craig
Fazzini-Jones as Group Chief Operating Of昀椀cer, from
1 March. Craig will report to Aviva Group CEO,
Amanda Blanc DBE, and will become a member of
Aviva’s Group Executive Committee.
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Thatcham Research has announced the appointment
of Nick Caplan as Chairman of the Board of Directors,
replacing Graham Gibson.
At Saga, Lloyd East becomes CEO of Insurance,
replacing Steve Kingshott.
Chris Payne, former Head of Networks and Engineering
at LV=, has been appointed as Head of DLG Auto
Services at Direct Line Group.
THE ASSESSORS JOURNAL | WINTER 2025 | www.iaea-online.org/news/the-assessor
