RAC launches new accident management service with major investment

The RAC has today (7 May) launched RAC Accident Management, a revolutionary new B2B service for businesses with large fleets, following a £2 million investment in a market leading IT platform.

Created and headed up by some of the best known names in the industry, the Accident Management service builds on the RAC’s strength of brand to secure strong commercial terms in the supply chain that are then passed on to fleet companies.

Added to this, suppliers have also invested in technology that enables them to deal with a significant proportion of work using the well-established RAC Rapid Repair.

This solution means that an increasing proportion of repairs are able to be fast tracked, to reduce overall time – guaranteeing effective cost control and a materially faster-than-average repair process.

Considering that some larger fleets can have up to 50% of their vehicles damaged in accidents a year, the overall benefits of this new service are significant.

To help the prevention of accidents from occurring in large fleets, there are also a number of risk management tools built in as part of the new service.

Head of accident services Jim Monteith said: “The main focus for fleet operations remains effective risk management and cost control – this has always been the case and never more so than now.

“Obviously, the ideal is to prevent accidents in the first place, however, if they do happen then our objective at RAC Accident Management is to ensure that repair costs don’t spiral and the repair is carried out as quickly as possible.

“The £2 million investment in a state-of-the-art IT system called ICE Claims, coupled with the recruitment of experts from within the industry, has resulted in a number of key benefits aimed at facilitating an efficient and cost effective solution for RAC and its customers.

“Having extensively researched the marketplace, RAC firmly believes that our new Accident Management service gives us a leading edge as we re-establish our fleet accident management proposition.”

RAC chief executive Chris Woodhouse said: “British businesses lose millions every year when their vehicles are off the road due to accidents. Lost business they can ill afford. While a vehicle is in the repair shop, additional hire costs can also severely impact bottom line profits, not to mention the worry and hassle they have in sorting out repairs.

“As the motorist’s champion, it is important for the RAC to support all our business and corporate members with the same solutions-driven approach we do our individual members. We have brought our extensive fleet management experience, industry knowledge and buying power to the design of this new service. Customers get on with running their business or fleet and we sort out getting their vehicles and drivers back on the road quickly, safely and at minimum cost – keeping Britain on the move and business thriving.”

RAC Accident Services cover all business vehicles including HGVs. The Service includes breakdown and roadside assistance with a First Notification of Loss (FNOL) capability and a new online claims management system. Repairs are then carried out by a nationwide network of 150 RAC Approved Repairers using genuine manufacturer parts. RAC scrutinises repair estimates and underwrites all repairs for three years. The new IT system enables customers to view their own claims status online. RAC can also provide customers with total loss management and salvage or disposal of vehicles.