Car Insurers Rapped On Whiplash Fraud

Insurance companies have been told to "get their house in order" and end the additional cost to drivers from fraud and exaggeration in whiplash injury claims.

A report by the House of Commons Transport Committee said industry practices encouraged bogus cases and ministers should consider imposing several measures if insurers fail to act.

While companies insist progress has been made in bringing down premiums as a result of identifying fraud, they admit whiplash still costs UK motorists over £2bn a year, adding £90 to the average premium.

Among the committee's recommendations were reducing the limitation period for road accident insurance claims and requiring whiplash claimants to produce more supporting evidence of injury.

In their report the MPs concluded: "We were surprised to hear that insurers will sometimes make an offer to personal injury claimants even before a medical report has been received.

"We also note that our previous recommendation on making the links between insurers and other parties involved with claims more transparent has been ignored.

"Insurers must immediately get their house in order and end practices which encourage fraud and exaggeration. If not, the Government should take steps to protect motorists."

The committee's chairman Louise Ellman added: "The Government should consider requiring claimants to provide proof that they have either been seen by a doctor or attended A&E shortly after the accident.

"There should be a presumption against accepting claims where adequate proof of injury is not provided."

Justice Minister Helen Grant said: "Honest drivers should not have to bear the price of a whiplash claims system which has been abused and has contributed to increased insurance costs.

"We have already made major law changes to turn the tide on compensation culture to help ordinary people with the cost of living."

The Association of British Insurers said the committee was right to identify the need to tighten the rules.

Its motor insurance head, James Dalton, said: "There has been a growth in recent years in claimant lawyers and claims management companies encouraging people to submit an increasing number of frivolous or exaggerated claims.

"Following recent reforms to the civil litigation system, insurers committed to pass on cost savings to motorists. We have delivered on that commitment and average premiums have reduced by 10% in the last year."

But he added: "The committee's report has kicked into the long grass making the tough calls for reform that are needed to help insurers combat the whiplash epidemic and deliver further premium reductions for hard-pressed motorists."

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