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The UK Government released the list of new tariffs that set out base levels of compensation awarded as damages for whiplash injuries.
As a result, the new whiplash reforms means motorists in England and Wales should see a significant reduction in annual car insurance premiums.
The 'Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021' take full effect from the 31st of May - setting out three noteworthy improvements:
So, why has the government introduced changes to the process for making low value road traffic accident (RTA) claims (e.g. soft tissue injuries)?
The primary reason is to reduce the high number of whiplash injury claims made each year - a statistic described as 'totally unacceptable'.
To put that into perspective, there were well over 500,000 claims in 2019/20. Thus, reducing this number means insurers can cut annual premiums for millions of drivers.
The new online portal has an upper claims limit of £5,000 and is much simpler to use. Essentially, it removes the need for claimants to hire a lawyer.
Furthermore, banning the settlement of whiplash cases without acquiring medical evidence to support it will save insurers huge sums of money.
So, if insurers keep to their pledge and pass on the savings to drivers from the introduction of new reforms when claiming whiplash, it could be worth an extra £1.2 billion.
Note: The main section contains more health and safety news articles including a list of archives from previous years.
Without doubt, the United Kingdom has some of the safest roads in Europe. As a matter of fact, there have been fewer crashes reported year-on-year since 2013.
Yet, the number of road traffic accident claims is now a staggering 40 percent higher than it was back in 2006.
Why is that?
One reason is the reported increase in so-called 'exaggerated' and sometimes 'disproportionate' claims payouts for road traffic accidents. The net result is a sizable increase in the costs of insurance premiums for the majority of motorists.
So, clamping down on this type of unethical behaviour should go a long way in reducing the cost of car insurance premiums.
Important whiplash reforms include:
Note: The whiplash injury reforms are part of a raft of other similar measures contained in Part 1 of the Civil Liability Act 2018.
Note: This short video explains more about the claims process for a whiplash injury and what steps you should take if you have a car accident.
Whiplash Injury Claims Process Comes into Force in England and Wales