The Accident Management Association (AMA) has elected the chief executive of Hallmarque Assistance, Steve Bennett, as its chairman for the coming year.
The AMA was established in March 2001 as a trade association to unite the credit hire industry. AMA members provide services to motorists involved in accidents that are not their fault.
These services include replacement vehicle hire, vehicle repair and legal expenses insurance. It is estimated that AMA's 18 members account for around 60% of the UK credit hire market.
Bennett has worked within the accident management sector since the 1980s. He set up Hallmarque Assistance in 1995 with a focus on building and improving relationships with the UK insurers.
He was actively involved in the insurer negotiations that led to the creation and subsequent launch of the ABI initiative - the General Terms of Agreement. This has become the working protocol between the insurance and accident management industries.
Bennett said the credit hire and repair industry provided a much needed service to motorists involved in accidents that were not their fault but added that many motorists were still not aware of what was available to them.
"We need to be more visible and recognised as a valuable customer focused service.
"We have made good progress this year in improving working relations with insurers and improving trust. This benefits both sets of businesses but more importantly our shared customers. Our aim is to build on this and work with insurers to improve working arrangements, increase efficiency and contain costs."
Mr Bennett has represented Hallmarque on the executive committee of the AMA since its formation and has worked closely with the other members and ABI Insurers to secure the implementation and improvement of the GTA.
