Whiplash news
16/11/2010

Select Committee discusses car accident claims

The Transport Select Committee has been told that motor insurance premiums will continue to rise indefinitely, in no small part because of the frequency with which people are suffering whiplash injury in car accidents.

Duncan Anderson from EMB consultancy told MPs at the select committee, "If claims continue to rise at the rate that they have been increasing, rates will continue to increase as well."

Anderson elaborated on the impact of whiplash injury compensation claims, saying, "Bodily injury claims are increasing at a rate of 30% and other claims types are increasing by five per cent a year."

"Overall there might be a 15% to 20% natural increase in claims' costs if things continue as they are, which will be reflected in ever-increasing premiums."

During the select committee hearing, those no win, no fee firms which aggressively advertise on television came in for criticism – however, especially harsh words were reserved for those which sell their services via text message.

Those present were also told that economic pressures were making a whiplash compensation claim a more attractive prospect than ever before, particularly when injured parties find themselves unable to work and losing out on earnings.