A recent Downing Street meeting with the Prime Minister, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and representatives of leading insurance companies, focused on what measures can be taken to tackle the rising costs of motor insurance.
The ABI has called for a ‘clampdown on the UK’s pain in the neck culture’ saying that nearly 1200 whiplash claims are made every day, costing the NHS an estimated £8 million a year and insurers nearly £2 billion a year in claims. The Government have been urged to introduce legislation to crack down on the UK’s whiplash epidemic.
The Commons Transport Select Committee recommended last month that the government should bring forward primary legislation that would require evidence of a whiplash injury and the effect it may have on the claimant’s life before compensation is paid. Insurers are calling for the introduction of measures similar to those in Germany, where there is a 6.25mph threshold for whiplash claims. Drivers in Germany also have to provide two medical opinions to diagnose the injury.
Mr. Cameron told the meeting that the government was ‘determined to tackle this damaging compensation culture which has been pushing up premiums’ and stop ‘trivial claims.’
The ABI Director General, Otto Thoresen, said the cost of motor insurance reflects our society, where it is all too easy to make a ‘spurious and exaggerated personal injury claim.’ He added that tackling these issues will bring down the cost of motor premiums and that insurers were committed to this, but help was needed from the government.
Injury Claims Solicitor Imogen McMillan comments "It is important to ensure that there is a clamp down on those who are making exaggerated or spurious claims as it drives the costs of insurance up for everybody. However, the recent publicity over this also also taints the idea making a claim for those who have genuinely suffered an injury such as whiplash. The reason we all have insurance is to protect us financially when an accident has caused damage or injury and people should not be put off pursuing a claim if they have genuinely suffered due to an accident."
For a free initial meeting please call 01202 499255 and Imogen or a member of her team will be happy to discuss any questions you may have.