The latest figures from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) shows a significant shift in the structure of motor insurance claims. In Q3 2025, insurers paid out 3.0 billion in private motor claims. Remarkably, 1.9 billion of this was spent on repairing vehicles, meaning 64% of all claims cost now relates to repair work.
Personal injury reforms: the hidden factor boosting the repair percentage
The Whiplash Reforms fundamentally changed the PI landscape, leading to fewer cases entering the system, lower average payouts, and dramatically reduced legal cost exposure.
When one component of the total shrinks, the others appear proportionally larger.
The complexity of today's vehicles makes repairs more expensive than ever
The ABI notes: "Today's cars are packed with advanced electronics, integrated sensors, and smart systems - making even minor repairs more specialised, time-intensive and costly."
From our work across the UK, we see ADAS calibration requirements, specialised EV procedures, more complex diagnostics, and increased repair times.
Where Laird fits into this new landscape
Laird supports insurers by providing:
Tech-driven triage with Human-in-the-Loop decision-making
Deep expertise in EVs, ADAS and modern vehicle systems
Digital collaboration with repairers
Evidence-led cost control
