The campaign by the Retail Motor Industry to expose 'anti-competitive behaviour' by motor insurers is gathering pace.

The effort, known as the Body Repair Industry Campaign (BRIC), is led by the RMI's bodyshop division director Bob Hood.

He said: "Our members have been allocated key areas of the campaign on which to focus. The next few months will witness a high profile and professional campaign highlighting the relationship between insurers and repairers.

"We have plans to elevate the debate in every bodyshop and insurance company in the UK. I confidently predict that by mid-2001 there will be few, if any, in the industry who have not heard of BRIC."

The RMI's national bodyshop consultative group has been suspended to ensure future meetings, while including industry-wide discussion, will concentrate on the campaign.

Some of the issues the RMI wants to address include allegations of insurance company collusion, cross-subsidy of insurance products and the need for MPs to initiate an investigation into possible anti-competitive practices under the Competition Act 1998.

So far , Mr Hood said, BRIC has established 'MP awareness' plans which will be accelerated despite strong probability of a spring General Election. MPs from all parties have shown support.

For more information about BRIC call 01788 538305.