Global Insurance and Automotive Market Updates: Trends, Risks, and Innovations – Weekly news

Fewer UK drivers able to pay motor insurance in instalments – report

22 Oct 2025

UK motor insurance customers are paying less to spread the cost of their cover, but fewer now have the option to do so. Consumer Intelligence reports that the average cost of credit on monthly payments fell from 10.6% in August 2024 to 9.7% in August 2025, as nearly half of insurers reduced instalment charges. However, 11% fewer insurers now offer monthly payment options with most quotes, showing a decline in availability. The market has also shifted toward 11-month payment plans, affecting how premiums are displayed. Analysts say insurers are balancing fairness and accessibility as they adapt instalment models to maintain trust and affordability in a high-cost environment.

How EV Integration Is Changing the Business Vehicle Insurance Market

22 Oct 2025

The rise of electric vehicles is transforming business fleet insurance, prompting providers to redesign policies around EV-specific risks such as battery damage, charging infrastructure, and electronic faults. Insurers now offer tailored coverage for EV fleets, including protection for charging equipment and hybrid policies for mixed fleets. Telematics and battery health monitoring are increasingly used to set premiums based on real-time performance and maintenance data. As businesses install workplace or home charging stations, liability coverage is expanding to address new electrical and safety risks. With the 2030 petrol and diesel phase-out approaching, insurers expect data-driven models to make EV fleet premiums more accurate and competitive.

One in Seven Used Cars Could Have Clocked Mileage

22 Oct 2025

Vehicle tampering, including mileage rollback and VIN manipulation, remains a widespread issue in the UK used car market, with Carly data showing over 16% of checked vehicles display signs of fraud. Analysis of more than 2.5 million diagnostic sessions revealed that nearly 1 in 7 cars may conceal serious issues, putting buyers at risk of overpaying or facing unexpected repairs. Carly’s OBD-based diagnostics detect inconsistencies across vehicle systems, making hidden tampering easier to uncover than by visual inspection. The platform offers Basic and Premium packages, with the Premium package enabling a full Used Car Check from £41, helping buyers identify mileage and identity fraud before purchase. Experts warn that digital checks are especially important in the current market, where economic uncertainty and high new car prices drive demand for second-hand vehicles.

Many UK insurance customers risking claims issues due to disclosure gaps

21 Oct 2025

Many UK home and motor insurance customers are unclear about what changes to their circumstances they must disclose, risking premium adjustments, policy cancellations, or claim denials. While most understand the need to report major changes like moving home or changing cars, fewer disclose changes in occupation, marital status, or household vehicles. Homeowners are particularly unlikely to report home improvements or occupancy changes, and motor policyholders often overlook additional vehicles or dashcam installations. Non-disclosure can lead to coverage disputes and reputational damage for insurers. Experts emphasise that clear communication and education about disclosure requirements are crucial to improving customer experience and reducing disputes.

Allianz Ireland Teams Up With Ted4Parts

21 Oct 2025

Allianz Ireland has partnered with Ted4Parts to launch the Allianz Green Parts Scheme, promoting environmentally sustainable vehicle repairs while offering cost benefits to repairers and policyholders. Allianz-approved repairers can access VRA-certified Grade A Green Parts with a lifetime warranty and offer policyholders a €100 excess reduction as an incentive. The scheme supports sustainability, reduces embedded carbon, and lowers repair costs by up to 75% compared to new parts. Allianz and Ted4Parts emphasise that this initiative combines environmental responsibility with high-quality, cost-efficient repairs, setting a new standard for the Irish automotive repair industry.

2025 Car Tax: Payment and What Will Change in 2026

21 Oct 2025

In Italy, the car tax (bollo auto) is an annual ownership tax managed by regions, based on vehicle power, emissions, and location. From 2025, payment options are being simplified, including extended installment plans for unpaid taxes and the ability to split payments via PayPal in three interest-free installments. Historic and classic cars benefit from reduced rates, while non-payment triggers fines, interest, and potential vehicle seizure. From 2026, the tax will become fully regional, must be paid in a single annual installment, and even vehicles under administrative block will be required to pay. Regions retain the authority to maintain or adjust exemptions and reductions.

Italy: Car insurance: They can no longer fine you if you don’t have an insurance certificate, it’s no longer mandatory: Supreme Court

20 Oct 2025

The Italian Supreme Court ruled that motorists cannot be fined for failing to show an insurance sticker, which was abolished in 2015. Verification of vehicle insurance can now only be done via the insurance certificate or national telematic databases. The case arose after a driver was sanctioned for not presenting a non-existent sticker, despite showing a digital certificate and having coverage confirmed electronically. The Court annulled the fine, emphasizing that requests to display the old sticker are unlawful, and only proof via certificate or database is required. This clarifies that enforcement must align with current regulations, including the 2021 law allowing electronic verification.

Bulgaria: Insurance Premiums May Rise in Coming Months Amid Changing Factors, Says Association of Insurers Chairperson

19 Oct 2025

Bulgarian insurance premiums may rise if factors such as natural disasters, road accidents, higher medical costs, inflation, or rising repair and staff costs change, according to Nikolay Stanchev, Chairperson of the Association of Bulgarian Insurers. In the first quarter of 2025, non-life premiums exceeded BGN 1.5 billion, with motor insurance driving the market, property insurance growing moderately, and health insurance the fastest-growing segment. Casco premiums rose around 16%, property insurance by 9%, and agricultural insurance benefited from a new co-financing scheme covering 70% of insured value. Life insurance grew 11% year-on-year, while health insurance increased 21%, largely due to rising medical service costs. Stanchev noted that the upcoming euro adoption in 2026 will bring stability and reduced currency risk, though insurers must adapt systems and processes to the new currency.

Buying a car in Ukraine: which cars are bought most often and where are the most deals recorded

19 Oct 2025

Car buying activity in Ukraine continued to grow in September 2025, with over 72,000 purchase and sale agreements registered despite ongoing economic and security challenges. Nearly a quarter of all transactions were completed online through the Diya app, reflecting the success of Ukraine’s digital vehicle re-registration system. Kyiv led the market with 12% of all sales, followed by the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, while activity remained lowest in frontline areas such as Donetsk and Kherson. Lviv and Kyiv also topped the list for first registrations of imported vehicles, particularly from Europe and the US. Popular brands included Toyota, Skoda, Volkswagen, and Renault, with growing demand for electric cars such as the Nissan Leaf and Tesla Model 3.

Mexico: Government and insurers reach agreement on VAT collection dispute

19 Oct 2025

The Mexican government has reached an agreement with insurers to resolve long-standing VAT disputes. Insurers will be forgiven unpaid VAT from previous years if they drop ongoing legal claims and comply with certain conditions, including paying future VAT correctly from 2025 onward. The deal, formalized in the 2026 Federal Revenue Law, clarifies that insurers cannot claim VAT credits on services provided by third parties, such as hospitals or repair shops. The agreement also provides a fiscal incentive covering past VAT credits, penalties, and interest, provided payments are made by March 31, 2026, and insurers meet compliance requirements. Major insurers, including AXA, have been involved in litigation over this issue for years, with some even pursuing international arbitration.

Argentina proposes re-linking insurance to driver’s licenses

18 Oct 2025

Carlos Salinas, Executive Director of the Argentine Reinsurers Chamber, explained that all vehicles in Argentina must have mandatory third-party liability coverage for personal and property damage, typically around $55,000. However, many drivers also purchase additional liability due to the country’s strong claims culture. He noted that coverage is currently tied to the vehicle rather than the driver, but returning to a driver-based model could expand the insurance market and offer greater family protection, especially in households with multiple drivers. Salinas emphasized that linking coverage to licenses would ensure all drivers in a household are protected, not just the number of vehicles.

Curacel, Cornerstone Insurance partner to drive innovation in motor insurance

18 Oct 2025

Cornerstone Insurance Plc has partnered with Curacel to launch an AI-powered remote vehicle inspection system that simplifies motor policy issuance and claims assessment. The solution uses a secure web link to guide customers through video capture, which Curacel’s AI then analyses to detect damage and produce structured reports. This innovation reduces fraud risk, speeds up inspections, and improves consistency and efficiency. According to Cornerstone’s Deputy CTO, Oluwarotimi Adedeji, the workflow is already live and will expand across more motor insurance processes. The initiative reflects both companies’ commitment to digital transformation and enhancing customer experience in the insurance industry.

Germany: Vienna Insurance Group acquires Nürnberger Versicherung for 1.4 billion euros

17 Oct 2025

Vienna Insurance Group (VIG) is acquiring German insurer Nürnberger Versicherung for up to €1.38 billion, offering €120 per share and securing 64.4% of the shares from major stakeholders. The deal marks VIG’s largest acquisition, expanding its presence in Germany beyond its small InterRisk operations and supporting growth in Central and Eastern Europe. Nürnberger, which faced €78.5 million in losses in 2024 and needs IT investment, will retain its brand and locations under the agreement. Other potential buyers, including Versicherungskammer Bayern and Mapfre, had also shown interest, but VIG’s offer was the highest. Following the takeover, Nürnberger will be delisted from the stock exchange, with the acceptance period for shareholders running from 24 October to 21 November 2025.

Spain: Car insurance prices skyrocket due to the historic spike in comprehensive rates.

17 Oct 2025

In the third quarter of 2025, Spanish car insurance prices rose 12.28% year-on-year, reaching an average premium of €1,005. Basic Third-Party insurance increased to nearly €500, while comprehensive “All-Risk” policies without excess surged 26.7% to over €3,200, remaining largely unaffordable for most drivers. By contrast, the popular mid-level Third-Party Plus policies fell slightly to €527, reflecting competitive pricing and lower risk coverage. The overall rise cost Spanish drivers an estimated €110 more per year, totaling €1.63 billion across households. Despite price stabilization in cheaper plans, high-risk or expensive comprehensive policies continue to escalate, leaving many consumers forced to choose between costly full coverage or more limited protection.

Jaguar Land Rover Cyberattack: A Revealing Shock for the Global Automotive Industry and Initial Lessons Learned

17 Oct 2025

The cyberattack on Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) on August 31, 2025, caused production halts at key sites in the UK, Slovakia, Brazil, and India for over a month, highlighting vulnerabilities in Industry 4.0 and risk management. The attack, a supply chain breach via British logistics provider Entegra, is estimated to have caused losses of up to €150 million, or over €10 million per day. It exploited a weak link rather than a direct assault, demonstrating the high costs of overlooked cyber risks in complex industrial networks. This incident is now considered a major case study for supply chain and cybersecurity resilience.

The new tax, which will be introduced in 2026 and threatens to raise the price of cars in Spain.

16 Oct 2025

The EU plans to raise tariffs on imported steel by mid-2026 to counter unfair competition from low-cost Chinese steel, which could increase car production costs in Europe, including Spain. The quota for steel imports will be halved, and tariffs on excess imports will double from 25% to 50%, affecting manufacturers relying on cheaper foreign steel. This may lead to higher prices for some vehicles, particularly Chinese or budget models, while benefiting European brands that previously lowered prices to compete. Exceptions for certain industries, including the automotive sector, may be considered to avoid overly impacting consumers. Buyers in Spain might consider purchasing cars in early 2026 to avoid potential price increases.