Dear sirs,

Compensation for painful, avoidable whiplash injuries was slashed to a fraction of their actual value in reforms which came into effect three years ago. The concept of full and fair compensation for victims of negligence was abandoned.

Removing the right to full compensation was predicated on policyholders seeing savings in their premiums, but instead they have increased to eye-watering levels, despite insurers making significant savings on motor-related injury claims.

Consumers should be furious. They are spending large amounts on compulsory motor insurance which should be on the understanding that they will be looked after if anything goes wrong. Policyholders are paying more and getting less.

In 2022, the number of motor injury claims was down by 25 per cent when compared to 2020, despite a 17 per cent increase in road traffic injuries. There is quite clearly a ‘justice gap’ where genuine injured people are not being compensated.

Generally, the reason for price increases given by insurers themselves is soaring costs of vehicle repairs. Whilst car insurers’ total claims cost has increased by 17 per cent since the reforms were introduced, during the same period drivers saw their premiums increase by more than five times that amount.

It now seems insurers are making a fresh, shameless, play for injured people to be the scapegoats for the high cost of motor insurance.

Jonathan Scarsbrook

President

The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL)