Zurich has introduced a new approved motor repairer network that handles all personal lines and commercial fleet customers. The new network has been radically overhauled in terms of the business-operating model and size, reducing from the current 170 firms to four main providers covering all regions across the mainland United Kingdom.

Zurich has appointed ADR Accident Repair Services, DWS Bodyworks, Nationwide Accident Repair Services Plc and the Seward Group to handle all of its motor repairs. All firms will be appointed on five-year long-term contracts, and the insurer will transition to the new network over the next 12 months. Under the new network model, Zurich has divided the United Kingdom into 15 key zones, with each repairer covering specifically designated zones.

Zurich says that the key driver for the review was to enhance the customer claims experience. More specifically, the insurer was looking to work with repairers that provided an innovative claims service, had the capability to cope with motor industry regulation and had the capability to repair the latest vehicle technology.