Looking back at how we’ve partnered with clients, embraced meaningful technology, and helped unlock value across the automotive claims ecosystem.
Over the past year, the automotive claims and repair landscape hasn’t stood still. Rising costs, tighter margins, and demand for faster, more transparent outcomes continue to shape how insurers, repair networks, fleets and legal partners operate. At Laird Assessors, we’ve focused on evolving our contribution to that ecosystem; not for its own sake, but to help our clients and partners navigate these changes more effectively.
Here’s how that focus translated into practical progress in the last 12 months:
Smart Technology, Smarter Outcomes
One of the biggest shifts we’ve seen (and helped drive) is the move from static reporting to data-driven, intelligence-first workflows. Traditional PDF reports aren’t wrong; they’re just falling behind expectations for speed, connectivity and actionable insights.
This year we rolled out a suite of system upgrades to our SwiftCase-powered platform that:
- Deliver live API data feeds directly into client claims and repair systems
- Enable real-time updates on vehicle status to insurers, repairers, hire partners and fleets
- Use image recognition and structured data to automate early triage & vehicle damage assessments
- Still keep expert engineers at the point where judgement matters most (Human-In-The-Loop)
What this means for partners:
- Faster resolution times — actionable insights reach stakeholders sooner
- Greater transparency — everyone sees the same trusted data
- Lower administrative drag — systems do what they’re good at, people do what they’re best at
This isn’t automation for its own sake; it’s about better outcomes for clients and their customers.
Putting Metrics to Work
We believe progress is best measured in terms that matter to clients and the wider supply chain. Over the past year, those practical benefits include:
📈 ~65%+ of case handling automated through AI-assisted workflows
⏱️ ~30% reduction in turnaround times for desktop assessments
💻 100% API-enabled integrations with core partner systems
📷 90%+ image recognition accuracy in damage capture
🏆 5+ industry award nominations for tech and workplace achievements
These aren’t vanity metrics; they reflect improvements that translate into time saved, fewer errors, and better claims outcomes.
We’ve also doubled down on how we manage desktop (virtual) reports, letting drivers upload images and allowing engineers to produce compliant assessments within hours, not days, often without the need for a site visit. This approach has helped reduce “key-to-key” times for claims management, insurer, bodyshops and fleets, and lower downtime for policy-holders and fleet operators alike.
Service That Scales with Demand
At Laird, we pride ourselves on being a partner that can handle volume without sacrificing quality. This year our accident damage reports have continued to be CPR-compliant, engineer-validated and accepted across legal and insurance use cases, from fleet claims to litigation support. Our network of assessors provides coverage that lets us deliver engineer inspections across mainland UK on tight timeframes, often within 24–48 hours.
That consistency matters because uncertainty costs more than time: it costs trust.
Our clients tell us that when they can share accurate, timely insights with repairers and policy-holders, everyone can make better decisions faster. That’s a win for insurers, AMCs, solicitors and vehicle owners alike.
People + Culture = Sustainable Performance
None of the above would be possible without a team that embraces both technical curiosity and practical problem-solving. Over the last year, we’ve continued to attract and develop talent who understand the balance between expert engineering and evolving technology—from AI tools to bespoke client integrations. Whether it’s enhancing internal processes or supporting client outcomes, our team’s focus has been on building sustainable capability—not just ticking boxes.
Looking Ahead: What Matters in 2026
As we head into the new year, the signals we’re watching closely include:
- Predictive repair insights: Using aggregated data to anticipate outcomes, not just react to them
- Greater ecosystem visibility: Connecting more parts of the claims and repair journey so stakeholders can trust the same truth
- Human-centric automation: Ensuring that efficiency gains always support, not replace, expert judgement
Our commitment is straightforward: technology should enable better decisions, not obscure them. It should serve people, not replace them. And it should always be deployed in service of outcomes that matter: speed, accuracy and fairness.
Thank You
To our clients, staff, partners, and supply-chain collaborators: thank you for your feedback, your challenges, and your trust. We’re committed to evolving with you, not just ahead of you.
If you’d like to explore any of these developments in detail, whether integration options, performance metrics, or workflow redesign, reach out. Let’s make 2026 even more productive together.