Premium hikes are forcing larger motor fleets towards self-insurance according to bodyshop network ABS, which has been approached by many companies to provide repair services.
The move to self-insurance requires the fleet to take responsibility for a range of functions that would previously have been handled by the insurer.
ABS network director, Alan Hodgkinson, said: "The motor insurance market has been hardening and, in these conditions, many large fleets look carefully at self-insurance. It makes financial sense, especially if you have suffered a poor accident rate.
"The problem for many of them is the repair factor. They do not have access to a network of bodyshops. This is where we are in a unique position to help. A few fleets have started using ABS for this purpose while others are showing significant interest."
