ABI calls for crackdown on whiplash claims

Date: 24/4/2012

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) believes there needs to be a crackdown on the number of people making whiplash claims in the UK.

According to the organisation, individuals should not receive compensation unless there is "objective evidence" they have suffered an injury.

Although there has been a decline in the number of car crashes, whiplash claims have risen by a third in three years.

Head of Motor Liability at the ABI James Dalton described this as the "fraud of choice" among motorists.

He also called for a cap on the level of damages for whiplash claims, as well as the introduction of a panel of independent doctors to assess claimants.

"Only by thinking big and bold can we reduce the whiplash problem and the costs of motor insurance," Mr Dalton stated.

The whiplash claim culture currently costs the British insurance industry over £2 billion and Prime Minister David Cameron recently backed calls from related organisations to address the issue.

Posted by Mary Treen