Accident Exchange has added 162 dealership referral accounts within the past six months, including major franchised dealers such as HR Owen, RRG Group and Harwoods Group.

The prestige credit hire business has also bought business software developer DCML for £12m.

DCML provides a range of software solutions for the automotive sector, including courtesy car management for dealers and customer-direct test drive bookings for carmakers.

Steve Evans, chief executive, says: “We have demonstrated our ability to win substantial new referrer accounts and to increase business from existing referrers. DCML, our new headquarters, increased headcount and expanded vehicle fleet all provide Accident Exchange with the infrastructure and capability to sustain growth.”

Its year-end financial results are due next month, but Evans says claims per referral have grown by nearly 12% and dealers have been signed up at a rate of 27 per month. He has also signed up several leasing companies, including Inchcape Fleet Solutions, Bramall & Jones Contract Hire and Marshall Leasing.