Contact your MP with this simple message. First4Lawyers believe that 29 million motorists CAN make a difference
First4Lawyers #RepairTheRightBody campaign is urging members of the public to contact their MPs to protest against government’s plans to reform personal injury claims, and put a stop to repairing cars before repairing people.
This video illustrates how an ordinary person will suffer and be left to fend for themselves, while insurance companies reap the benefits in increased profits.
Support the CampaignThe government is putting forward changes in the law about what happens to innocent people after a car crash. It seems to think that it is more important to repair a car than a person.
The new reforms are proposed as part of the Civil Liability Bill, which from April 2019 would slash personal injury compensation payments. These reforms have come about because the government, under pressure from the motor insurance sector, asserts that too many people are claiming for injuries. Something for which there is little evidence.
The proposed changes could see the amount of compensation paid to innocent victims slashed by up to £1,850, reducing payouts to as little as £235 for months of pain and suffering. What's more the proposals will cut off access to legal support when trying to make a claim.
This is wrong and we need you to help us change their minds.
The proposed changes would mean that insurers would scoop an estimated £200 million windfall, while road traffic accident victims could see compensation payments fall by up to £1,850.
For example, someone who suffers neck and back injuries for up to three months would receive just £235, representing an 87% cut in compensation. Meanwhile insurers can spend thousands repairing damaged vehicles, as their amounts remain uncapped.
More about the proposed reforms and why we are opposing them
Accidents happen, but every motorist in the UK is legally required to buy car insurance to ensure that, if an accident does happen there is money available to repair the vehicle AND human. The proposed reforms will devalue YOUR motor insurance and REMOVE YOUR RIGHTS to seek support for access to justice.
We need your support to tell the government that these proposals are skewed - there is no problem in spending what is needed to get a car back on the road, but apparently those who suffer up to two years of pain and suffering should not receive the compensation that independent judges currently consider they deserve.
How you can support the campaign
More questions for your MP and how you can support the campaign
The number of road traffic accident-related personal injury claims fell by 21% between 2011 and 2018. They are now at the lowest level in a decade. Hardly the compensation culture insurers would have us believe.
(Source: Compensation Recovery Unit, claims 2011/12 v. 2017/18)
Between 2013 and 2014 insurers spent an average 16% more on repairing vehicles while the amount of compensation for those injured in an accident fell by 5%. The proposed changes will see payouts to injured people fall by another £1 billion and innocent accident victims could see compensation reduced by up to 87%.
(Source: Association of British Insurers report)
Those suffering back and neck injuries that last up to 12 months could see the amount of compensation they are entitled to for pain and suffering reduced by up to £1,850. In some cases accident victims will lose out on almost 87% of the compensation they are entitled to today.
(Source: Ministry of Justice proposed tariffs for minor claims)
The proposals will lead to a £200m cash windfall for insurers who already make billions of pounds every year, yet only a handful of these firms have publicly stated they will pass on any savings to motorists.
(Source: Government impact assessments of the proposed reforms, published by the Ministry of Justice, November 2016)
On average there is one personal injury claim for every 40 vehicles on the UK roads each year. Claims for neck and back injuries account for 49% of all motoring-related personal injury claims. That's the equivalent of one claim for every 80 vehicles on the UK roads.
(Source: First4Lawyers research, comparison of 2014/15 motoring-related claims registered by the Compensation Recovery Unit and number of insured vehicles on UK roads)
Five of the UK’s leading insurance companies earned over £2.6 billion in profits in 2016, up from £2.3 billion in 2015. The proposed changes will further swell their coffers by hundreds of millions per year and you MAY see your insurance fall by ONLY £40. They’ve never had it so good.
(Source: Annual reports of Aviva, Royal Sun Alliance, Direct Line, LV= and Admiral)
The UK’s leading insurers paid out £2 billion to their shareholders in 2016. The proposed changes will see insurers and their shareholders earn even more money while innocent motorists see their insurance policies become devalued.
(Source: Annual reports of Aviva, Royal Sun Alliance, Direct Line, LV= and Admiral)
While fraud should not be tolerated, the premise of the reforms is that fraud is widespread. However, insurers own figures show that only 1 claim in every 100 is proven to be fraudulent.
(Source: Industry reports on fraud)
Read the newspapers and you might think there is a "compensation culture" running wild in the UK. The truth, however, is very different. Here are a few #RepairTheRightBody myth busters:
