Electric and hybrid vehicles tackled in ABI salvage code update

The ABI has updated its salvage code of practice, with the aim of ensuring that the guidelines are up to date with new vehicle technology.

The salvage code of practice is a voluntary scheme for insurers and salvage firms, which helps to categorise written-off vehicles in order to prevent unsafe vehicles and parts returning to UK roads.

The ABI collaborated with insurers, the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) and Thatcham Research to define updates to the code, which the ABI say will “improve the clarity of the salvage code and its vehicle categorisation and disputes processes, and reflects changes brought on by rapidly advancing vehicle technologies”.

Updated wording

The updates – the first since 2019 – now brings electric and hybrid vehicles within its guidance and considers megacasting, reusable parts and other advanced vehicle construction methods.

It also features improved wording for different vehicle types, such as heavy goods vehicles and motorcycles.

Mark Shepherd, head of general insurance policy at the ABI, said: “By ensuring that consumers have transparency about the history of vehicles they are considering buying, the salvage code is a great example of the insurance industry working together to make the UK’s roads safer.

“It’s important the code moves with the times and this update reflects the increasing sophistication of our vehicles, including new powertrains and construction methods.”