Crack Down On Whiplash Claims

Published Date: 18th Jul 2014

Anyone who claims for whiplash after a car crash will have to pass a medical examination before getting any sort of pay-out sent their way.

The proposal has come from a report published by the House of Parliament’s transport committee, who are looking for ways to drive down the cost of car insurance here in the UK.

At the point MPs called for the UK to end the whiplash epidemic, a chair of the report; Louise Ellman explained:

“Whiplash injuries can have debilitating consequences for those who suffer them. However, some of the increase in whiplash claims has been due to fraud or exaggeration.”

“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.”

While taking into consideration whiplash claims for compensation, this report also suggests that there should be a ban on incentives offered to drivers for claiming for the ever-popular whiplash.

According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI) fraudulent motor insurance claims are the most expensive and common types of claims. In 2013, insurers detected a whopping 118,500 bogus or exaggerated car insurance claims, while the cost of insurance fraud in general cost a staggering £1.3 billion last year. Despite this, car insurance premiums are being reduced when compared with previous years.