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Motor insurers under fire as claims fall but premiums rise
Insurance companies faced a fresh charge of profiteering yesterday after figures showed that motor premiums had soared despite a drop in the number of claims. Drivers have seen policies rise by an average of £110 in the past year, with motorists being quoted an average of £781 for comprehensive cover. The increase has been mainly put down to a government-imposed … Read More
Academic “debunks” claim that UK is whiplash capital of Europe
The claim by insurers that the UK is the “whiplash capital of Europe” is a flimsy one based on unreliable data that has been cherry picked to support “specific reform agendas”, an academic has argued. Ken Oliphant, professor of tort law at Bristol University, said this cast doubt on suggestions that fraudulent or exaggerated whiplash claims are common, raising the … Read More
Car insurance: Economists debunk industry claims whiplash crackdown will result in lower premiums
If the Government really wants to help motorists it should ask the competition watchdogs to take a fresh look at insurers There are two explanations for the sharp rise in bills faced by motorists courtesy of their insurance companies. If you believe the likes of me, it’s because they want to make more money (as much as £700m a year … Read More
MPs’ forensic examination of soft tissue injury reform undermines case for blanket increases in small claims limit
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has conceded to MPs that the insurance industry saved ‘hundreds of millions of pounds’ from reforms to personal injury in 2013 and that whiplash claims have come down in the last year. President of the Law Society of England and Wales, Robert Bourns, has welcomed comments made by ABI director James Dalton to the … Read More
Consultation Fraud. The real story you need to hear.
We want to bring your attention to government proposals which will if implemented directly affect your right to justice. The small claims limit is currently £1,000. A claim below that level does not permit recovery of legal costs, and so a solicitor would not be able to represent a person with an injury worth any less. Injuries falling below £1,000 … Read More
Admiral to price car insurance based on Facebook posts
Insurer’s algorithm analyses social media usage to identify safe drivers in unprecedented use of customer data One of the biggest insurance companies in Britain is to use social media to analyse the personalities of car owners and set the price of their insurance. The unprecedented move highlights the start of a new era for how companies use online personal data … Read More
Car insurance premium increases: all for profit?
Insurance premiums are rising even though the cost of claims has fallen, law firm claims. A law firm has accused car insurers of profiteering. Earlier this week, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) released five ways it wants the Government to help cut car insurance premiums. The suggestions include increased training for young drivers, safer cars, a freeze on Insurance … Read More