The motor industry has moved on but many automotive engineering assessors and governing bodies haven’t. Outdated methods are frustrating insurers, bodyshops and accident management companies alike.
At Laird, we’re driving the change: modern assessors offering 24/7 service, instant data, and expertise built for today’s vehicles, not Sierras & Cavaliers!
In an industry where cars get smarter by the month, motor assessment processes clinging to age old methods are causing real frustrations for insurers, bodyshops, and accident management firms alike.
The Problem with “Traditional” Assessing Models
1. Legacy Governing Institutes, Stuck in a Time Warp
Some assessing bodies still rely on outdated codes of practice, slow seminars, repetitive training, and check-box leadership structures. While well-meaning, and great in the Nineties, these programs often deliver one-size-fits-all training that barely touches the surface on modern vehicle complexities.
2. Static Workflows, Manual Bottlenecks
Old-school workflows stick to PDFs, paperwork, delayed updates, and siloed data. This creates slow, disjointed processes that hamper collaboration and leave claims stakeholders grappling with delays, miscommunication, and inefficiency.
3. Inadequate Tech, Evolving Vehicles
Cars today are packed with ADAS, EV components, connected systems, carbon-fibre bodies, and more, all tech that evolves monthly. Traditional training often doesn’t train assessors on these emerging systems, leaving them ill-prepared for the complexities modern vehicle claims present.
The result? Frustrated insurers, delays in repair, inaccurate reports, mounting pressure on bodyshops, and ultimately dissatisfied clients.
Laird’s Modern-First Approach: Reimagining Motor Assessment
While tradition stagnates, Laird Assessors is powering ahead with innovation built into its DNA.
1. Training That Works for Today and Tomorrow
Laird rejects cookie-cutter learning. Instead, it recruits based on values, growth mindset, adaptability and then teaches the rest. Training is tailored via psychometrics and structured in digestible modules, bolstered with AI where it supports learning.
Our engineers not only master estimates but also understand diverse stakeholder needs, from insurers, accident management companies to fleet & hire car managers. And they remain up to date on smart systems: ADAS, EV/hybrid tech, connected infotainment, and more.
Laird cultivates an agile, start‑up culture with room for failure, turning mistakes into learning opportunities rather than things to cover up.
2. From PDFs to Live, API-Driven Intelligence
We’ve augmented traditional static reports with real‑time, AI-driven data. Through Swiftcase’s AI-powered automation, we feed live updates, like repairability or roadworthiness signals or parts delay alerts directly into client CRMs, ensuring everyone stays informed in real time.
AI-assisted systems use driver-uploaded images for remote damage assessments & triage, conduct quick damage recognition, and forecast repair costs and timelines based on historical data, cutting delays and reducing supplementary reports.
3. Instant, Accurate Valuations Powered by Real-Time Data
Gone are the days of hunting multiple sources to value a vehicle. Laird integrates with several valuation systems, such as Glass’s and Percayso Vehicle Intelligence (PVI), and cross-reference it with examples of similar vehicles from AutoTrader, giving assessors instant access to aggregated, real‑time market valuations. By entering a few data points, assessors generate well-evidenced valuations that plug directly into their systems, streamlining the workflow and slashing error margins.
This has led to far fewer disputes. Policy holders and clients appreciate the transparency and reliability in documentation, plus we have a chatbot to help policy holders agree settlement values 24/7.
4. Beyond Technology; A Holistic, Tailored Service
Laird doesn’t just provide tech, we offer a 24/7 service, deep expertise with modern vehicles, customisable workflows, and seamless system integration. Our team understands client philosophies (e.g., how an insurer views total loss vs. a hire‑fleet manager), adapting solutions accordingly.
Why This Matters Now
Insurers, bodyshops, and accident management firms face mounting pressure: claims need to be faster, more accurate, and more responsive. Clients expect transparency. Modern vehicles demand assessors who understand cutting-edge tech.
Traditional institutions, with their legacy frameworks, simply can’t pivot fast enough and their slow, generic methods are increasingly out of step.
Laird, by contrast, offers a future-facing model: smart, agile, tech-savvy, tailored, and responsive all backed by real-time data, AI, and a culture of continuous improvement.
The automotive world is evolving fast. If you’re still using last decade’s rules and antiquated processes, you’re already falling behind. Laird are reimagining what motor assessment can be, dynamic, intelligent, and built for today’s challenges.