Commercial motor collision claims rise sharply as winter approaches, and brokers should help fleet clients prepare now, according to Aviva.
Aviva’s commercial motor claims data from 2021 to 2025 showed collision claims rose by an average of 19% between August and November each year. The seasonal rise was steeper in 2025, with collision claims 22% higher in November than in August.
Darker evenings and worse weather increase the risks for businesses that rely on vehicles, Aviva said, and an accident can mean injured staff and vehicles off the road.
“Extreme weather is no longer a one off, it is a recurring challenge that businesses must consider,” said Kelly Whittington, commercial claims director at Aviva.
Aviva is encouraging clients to report claims by the end of the next calendar day and to use Solus, its nationwide repair network. Eligible mini-fleet customers who report by the end of the next day get a £100 excess reduction. Those who also use Solus can cut their excess by up to £200 and benefit from repair times up to 50% faster, Aviva said.
Whittington said acting quickly when an incident occurs could make a big difference in getting clients back to business.
Aviva’s advice for fleet operators starts with questioning whether journeys are necessary when forecasts are poor, and considering safer alternative routes. Drivers should be briefed on driving in bad weather, carry emergency equipment and know what to do if they break down. Managers should monitor conditions and pause vehicle movements when the risk is too high.
Vehicles should be serviced, with enough fuel or charge for the journey. Aviva noted that cold weather can reduce battery range in electric vehicles, a growing consideration as fleets electrify. Fleet buyers registered almost 191,000 new cars in September alone, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, with battery electric vehicles taking a record share.
Drivers should slow down, increase their stopping distances and avoid flood water. Aviva said just 30cm of fast-flowing water can move a car. Regular breaks help with fatigue, and drivers should carry warm clothing, food and drink, keep phones charged, and share their routes if vehicles don’t have telematics.
The warning follows a turbulent start to winter. Storms Austen and Boelo brought fallen trees, flooding and travel disruption across the UK within days of each other last month, and a man was killed when a tree fell on his car in north London.
For fleet brokers, the data gives a clear reason to contact clients before the winter peak. Sharing driver guidance and checking clients’ claims reporting processes can help reduce both the frequency of claims and the time vehicles spend off the road.
The excess reductions are a practical point to raise with eligible mini-fleet clients. Fast reporting and network repairs can lower costs and downtime. Brokers should check the eligibility criteria and make sure clients’ internal processes allow claims to be reported by the end of the next day, which can be difficult for fleets without clear incident procedures.
