ACCIDENT management company AutoManagement is calling for an industry standard to be set, allowing potential accident repair bills to be included in wholelife cost calculations. The idea has been branded unrealistic and impractical by some industry experts, but the Peterborough-based company says such a standard would fill a 'black hole' in fleet sums and suggests that by using a 'model accident' as a base, potential parts and labour costs could be calculated for a typical smash.

Operations director David Thacker said: 'A way of including accident repairs into wholelife costs needs to be formulated. It is a fleet cost which is substantial and can be predicted like any other.' According to AutoManagement figures, typical repair costs will equate to around 10% of the overall wholelife cost of a mainstream fleet car over three years.

However, ACFO director Stewart Whyte advised fleet managers not to cost such factors into the wholelife equation. He said: 'The minute you accept it is a statistical probability that company cars are going to crash, you destroy the incentive to improve the situation. If you budget for accidents it makes it acceptable to have them and stay in budget.'