ICA to consult on motor vehicle insurance code update

The initial draft was supposed to be released within this year.

The insurance and collision repair industries will soon be consulted on a draft update to the Motor Vehicle Insurance and Repair Industry Code of Conduct, expected to be released in early 2025, according to the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA).

The draft, prepared by MST Lawyers in response to an independent review by Dr. Michael Schaper, incorporates input from the code of Conduct Administration Committee (CAC).  

CAC Chair George Manos stated that the draft follows extensive industry feedback and ongoing discussions within the committee. 

Whilst the initial goal was to release the draft in 2024, Manos emphasized the importance of thoroughly addressing each element to better align industry interests.  

The draft update, including explanatory notes, will be shared with stakeholders such as the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA), the Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA), and the Australian Motor Body Repairers Association (AMBRA) for review and feedback. 

Manos expressed appreciation for the industries’ support throughout the process and encouraged broad participation in the upcoming consultation.  

The review process, launched in December 2022, was guided by Schaper’s 15 recommendations, which focused on improving dispute resolution, accessibility, compliance, governance, and other aspects of the code. 

Stakeholders, including government bodies, regulators, and industry representatives, contributed to the review.