Thatcham's three year plan

Thatcham’s new focus is on mitigating rising motor insurance claims costs.

The research centre, funded by UK insurers, has announced a significant investment in new resources to put Thatcham at the forefront of research and testing of emerging technologies such as Autonomous Emergency Braking systems (AEB).

Thatcham will also be investing in new facilities to gain full Euro NCAP safety testing accreditation, working closely with vehicle manufacturers to improve car safety and design features.

In response to rising personal injury claims losses, the new approach will rapidly develop Thatcham’s expertise and inform the industry which systems are most effective in reducing the most common types of accident – rear end, low speed crashes that are the cause of the majority of claims. A more collaborative approach and closer engagement with vehicle manufacturers is planned to achieve this.

Chairman Bill Paton summarised the change in direction; ‘Following Peter (Shaw’s) recent appointment as CEO, we were keen to fully understand how the Thatcham business model could be optimised to drive increased value to its members. Our work on theft loss reduction and savings to the repair market from our Times, Methods and Training is well documented and will be maintained, but it is essential Thatcham evolves in line with the developments in the insurance and manufacturing sectors.”

CEO, Peter Shaw added, ‘’Thatcham is ideally placed to play a pivotal role in guiding standards and influencing the rapid roll-out of the emerging vehicle technologies, as we have done in the past with ESC, bumpers, car seats and security systems. We have worked closely with our international counterparts in the research sector and can now see demonstrable reductions in accident damage frequency from deployment of AEB, which has massive potential to motor insurers and their customers. Essentially, if we can help avoid collisions in the first place, we can reduce both bodily injury and vehicle damage.”

Enhanced repair data delivery

An integral aspect of the new strategy will be an extensive update to Thatcham’s data, enabling it to provide its core products and services in a more efficient and dynamic way. This will feature an online portal where vehicle data can be conveniently exchanged with insurers, vehicle manufacturers and repair body shops.