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What recent steps he has taken to prevent fraudulent whiplash claims.
What recent steps he has taken to prevent fraudulent whiplash claims.
The Government are taking forward a whiplash reform programme that will deter unnecessary, exaggerated or speculative claims. Reforms to control the costs of claims were implemented on 1 October, and on 2 December we announced further plans to have independence and quality safeguards in the system for obtaining expert evidence.
What recent steps he has taken to prevent fraudulent whiplash claims; and if he will make a statement.
What recent steps he has taken to prevent fraudulent whiplash claims; and if he will make a statement.
The Government are taking forward a whiplash reform programme that will deter unnecessary, exaggerated or speculative claims. Reforms to control the costs of claims were implemented on 1 October, and on 2 December we announced further plans to have independence and quality safeguards in the system for obtaining expert evidence.
The Government are taking forward a whiplash reform programme that will deter unnecessary, exaggerated or speculative claims. Reforms to control the costs of claims were implemented on 1 October, and on 2 December we announced further plans to have independence and quality safeguards in the system for obtaining expert evidence.
What recent steps he has taken to prevent fraudulent whiplash claims.
This Government have made and continue to make major changes to deter fraudsters and reduce the number and cost of whiplash claims. We have already seen an impact from these reforms and industry data show that they have contributed to a 14% reduction in premiums since February 2012.
This Government have made and continue to make major changes to deter fraudsters and reduce the number and cost of whiplash claims. We have already seen an impact from these reforms and industry data show that they have contributed to a 14% reduction in premiums since February 2012.
What evidence does the Minister have to demonstrate that his measures have been effective in cracking down on fraudulent whiplash claims, as it would seem that, as a nation, we are happy to allow both the profits of insurance companies and our reputation for having the weakest necks in the world to go unchallenged?
I very much hope that there are no long-lasting effects from the experience my hon. Friend had. The Government take insurance fraud very seriously and have recently set up a taskforce to tackle this important issue and drive down premiums. The taskforce will consider insurance fraud across the board, and will aim to publish an interim report by March 2015 with a final report issued by the end of 2015.
I very much hope that there are no long-lasting effects from the experience my hon. Friend had. The Government take insurance fraud very seriously and have recently set up a taskforce to tackle this important issue and drive down premiums. The taskforce will consider insurance fraud across the board, and will aim to publish an interim report by March 2015 with a final report issued by the end of 2015.
Some years ago, I was shunted up my rear end—by a car on the M1, Mr Speaker—and I was then contacted by a number of companies that all said, “Surely you are suffering from whiplash. You should be making a claim.” Does the Minister agree that such actions are reprehensible?
For too long, honest drivers have been bearing the cost and, with that, higher insurance premiums because of the whole issue of whiplash. Government reforms have been robust. We have set up a system whereby we hope to deter unnecessary or speculative claims and ensure that those who are genuinely injured can claim. We have clamped down hard on the insurance companies. We have been working with them, along with the medical profession and the lawyers, to try to make the system a lot better. Medical reports from now on will cost £180 and lawyers will carry out previous claims checks on potential claimants in order to combat fraudulent claims. That will, of course, impact on the insurance companies.
For too long, honest drivers have been bearing the cost and, with that, higher insurance premiums because of the whole issue of whiplash. Government reforms have been robust. We have set up a system whereby we hope to deter unnecessary or speculative claims and ensure that those who are genuinely injured can claim. We have clamped down hard on the insurance companies. We have been working with them, along with the medical profession and the lawyers, to try to make the system a lot better. Medical reports from now on will cost £180 and lawyers will carry out previous claims checks on potential claimants in order to combat fraudulent claims. That will, of course, impact on the insurance companies.
Fraudulent whiplash claims are criminal activity, plain and simple, and everybody in the House would condemn them. Will the Minister also condemn those insurance companies that created third-party capture, massively contributing to the number of these claims in the first instance? While he is at it, does he have any evidence to suggest that medical practitioners are failing their obligations under civil procedure rules—CPR—35?
The introduction of fixed costs for medical reports is just one element, albeit an important one, in the Government’s whiplash reform programme. We have undertaken a detailed impact assessment of the programme, which we intend to publish very soon.
The introduction of fixed costs for medical reports is just one element, albeit an important one, in the Government’s whiplash reform programme. We have undertaken a detailed impact assessment of the programme, which we intend to publish very soon.
Last month saw the introduction of a fixed fee for whiplash injury reports, reducing the costs to insurers from several hundreds of pounds to just £180. Has the Minister made an assessment of the impact of this on spurious claims?
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he expects the bringing into force of the Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill will lead to workers taking out personal insurance cover to protect them if they are injured at work.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he expects the bringing into force of the Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill will lead to workers taking out personal insurance cover to protect them if they are injured at work.
The Ministry of Justice discussed the Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill with officials from the Health and Safety Executive and senior members of the judiciary prior to its introduction. There have been no discussions with the insurance industry regarding the Bill. There is nothing in the Bill which prevents an employee bringing a negligence claim, or which leaves workers without appropriate remedies when they are injured by the negligent actions of irresponsible employers. We do not therefore expect it to lead to workers taking out personal insurance cover.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions he has had with the insurance industry on the need for the Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions he has had with the insurance industry on the need for the Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill.
The Ministry of Justice discussed the Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill with officials from the Health and Safety Executive and senior members of the judiciary prior to its introduction. There have been no discussions with the insurance industry regarding the Bill. There is nothing in the Bill which prevents an employee bringing a negligence claim, or which leaves workers without appropriate remedies when they are injured by the negligent actions of irresponsible employers. We do not therefore expect it to lead to workers taking out personal insurance cover.
What steps his Department has taken to prevent insurance fraud.
What steps his Department has taken to prevent insurance fraud.
I can assure my hon. Friend that the Government are committed to tackling insurance fraud. We are banning lawyers from offering inducements in personal injury claims and are legislating to penalise fundamentally dishonest claimants. We are also consulting on a requirement for lawyers to undertake previous claims checks on whiplash claimants, which will combat fraud at source.
I can assure my hon. Friend that the Government are committed to tackling insurance fraud. We are banning lawyers from offering inducements in personal injury claims and are legislating to penalise fundamentally dishonest claimants. We are also consulting on a requirement for lawyers to undertake previous claims checks on whiplash claimants, which will combat fraud at source.
I can assure my hon. Friend that the Government are committed to tackling insurance fraud. We are banning lawyers from offering inducements in personal injury claims and are legislating to penalise fundamentally dishonest claimants. We are also consulting on a requirement for lawyers to undertake previous claims checks on whiplash claimants, which will combat fraud at source.
What steps his Department has taken to prevent insurance fraud.
The compensation culture to which my hon. Friend refers means that honest drivers are having to pay higher premiums because of abuses, especially in whiplash claims. That is why the Government have put in place measures to deter unnecessary speculative and exaggerated claims, while ensuring that genuine claimants can come forward and have proper redress. In the first phase of our measures, which will start next month, there will be fixed costs of £180 for medical reports, which in the past had been as high as £700.
The compensation culture to which my hon. Friend refers means that honest drivers are having to pay higher premiums because of abuses, especially in whiplash claims. That is why the Government have put in place measures to deter unnecessary speculative and exaggerated claims, while ensuring that genuine claimants can come forward and have proper redress. In the first phase of our measures, which will start next month, there will be fixed costs of £180 for medical reports, which in the past had been as high as £700.
It is estimated that insurance fraud and exaggerated claims cost some £2.1 billion last year, with motor insurance alone costing about £811 million. Ultimately, it is not the insurance companies that pay out, but the consumers, who pay for it through higher insurance bills. What further measures is my hon. Friend taking to tackle the compensation culture in this country?
The hon. Gentleman raises a good point. That exchange of ideas is happening, and we are encouraging it to happen more.
The hon. Gentleman raises a good point. That exchange of ideas is happening, and we are encouraging it to happen more.
There have been many examples across the whole United Kingdom of scams being carried out by a number of individuals with different insurance companies. Is it not time that insurance companies exchanged ideas and ensured that they are forensically competent in dealing with fraud?
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the likely reduction in insurance premiums as a result of the Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the likely reduction in insurance premiums as a result of the Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill.
I have spoken to many business groups and employers who tell me about how the compensation culture is tying their business in knots. Employers often do the right thing, put sensible safety procedures in place, and then someone does something daft and the employer still finds himself facing a negligence claim. The Bill should reassure employers and others that the courts will always consider the context of their actions before making a decision on liability. It should also deter claimants from bringing unfounded claims in the first place thereby helping to reduce insurance premiums. We have published an impact assessment at the following link:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what assessment his Department has made of the effects on the economy of reforming the UK's civil procedure rules to clarify courts' powers to strike out cases due to exaggerated or fabricated personal injury claims; and if he will make a...
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what assessment his Department has made of the effects on the economy of reforming the UK's civil procedure rules to clarify courts' powers to strike out cases due to exaggerated or fabricated personal injury claims; and if he will make a...
No figures are available for the number of victims of, or average loss incurred from, personal injury fraud. Figures for 2011 published by the Association of British Insurers describe 7% of all motor claims in 2011-worth £441 million-as fraudulent. In addition, they estimate that a further £1 billion of motor insurance fraud went undetected in 2011.
The Government is committed to turning the tide on fraudulent personal injury claims. To this end we are working closely with stakeholders across the industry to secure better data on motor accident cases, including the number of fraudulent cases.
No estimate is available of the economic effects that might accrue from clarifying the courts’ powers to strike out claims that are exaggerated or fabricated. However, we are considering what reform might be appropriate to the law in this area.
(2) what estimate his Department has made of the expected cost to the economy of (a) detected and (b) undetected personal injury insurance fraud in 2014-15;
Nick de Bois:
(2) what estimate his Department has made of the expected cost to the economy of (a) detected and (b) undetected personal injury insurance fraud in 2014-15;
Nick de Bois:
No figures are available for the number of victims of, or average loss incurred from, personal injury fraud. Figures for 2011 published by the Association of British Insurers describe 7% of all motor claims in 2011-worth £441 million-as fraudulent. In addition, they estimate that a further £1 billion of motor insurance fraud went undetected in 2011.
The Government is committed to turning the tide on fraudulent personal injury claims. To this end we are working closely with stakeholders across the industry to secure better data on motor accident cases, including the number of fraudulent cases.
No estimate is available of the economic effects that might accrue from clarifying the courts’ powers to strike out claims that are exaggerated or fabricated. However, we are considering what reform might be appropriate to the law in this area.
(3) what estimate his Department has made of the cost to the economy of (a) detected and (b) undetected personal injury insurance fraud in the last year for which figures are available.
Nick de Bois:
(3) what estimate his Department has made of the cost to the economy of (a) detected and (b) undetected personal injury insurance fraud in the last year for which figures are available.
Nick de Bois:
No figures are available for the number of victims of, or average loss incurred from, personal injury fraud. Figures for 2011 published by the Association of British Insurers describe 7% of all motor claims in 2011-worth £441 million-as fraudulent. In addition, they estimate that a further £1 billion of motor insurance fraud went undetected in 2011.
The Government is committed to turning the tide on fraudulent personal injury claims. To this end we are working closely with stakeholders across the industry to secure better data on motor accident cases, including the number of fraudulent cases.
No estimate is available of the economic effects that might accrue from clarifying the courts’ powers to strike out claims that are exaggerated or fabricated. However, we are considering what reform might be appropriate to the law in this area.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will bring forward legislative proposals to provide for first party and third party personal injury insurance fraud to be treated the same way by the courts.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will bring forward legislative proposals to provide for first party and third party personal injury insurance fraud to be treated the same way by the courts.
The Government is committed to reducing the number of fraudulent personal injury claims. To this end, we are considering what specific reforms might be appropriate.
As announced last year, we are working with stakeholders in the industry to tighten the medical evidence process so that only evidence from accredited experts can be considered, and the costs for those reports can be fixed. This will mean people can no longer profit from exaggerated or fraudulent compensation claims but victims with genuine cases can still get the help they deserve. We are introducing these reforms later in the year. We are also working to secure better data on motor accident cases, including the number of fraudulent cases.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate his Department has made of the number of victims of personal injury insurance fraud in the last year for which information is available.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate his Department has made of the number of victims of personal injury insurance fraud in the last year for which information is available.
No figures are available for the number of victims of, or for the average loss incurred from, personal injury fraud. Across all forms of insurance the ABI estimates that fraud adds, on average, an extra £50 a year to the annual insurance bill for every UK policyholder.
However, we have already seen a fall in premiums paid by motorists following the implementation of Government reforms in April 2013. The latest ABI quarterly index shows a 9% drop in actual premiums paid in the last year. The Government fully expects insurers to continue to meet their commitment to pass on the savings from these and other reforms to consumers.
The Government is committed to turning the tide on fraudulent personal injury claims. To this end we are working closely with stakeholders across the industry to secure better data on motor accident cases, including the number of fraudulent cases.
No estimate is available of any cost savings that might accrue from clarifying the courts' powers to strike out claims that are exaggerated or fabricated. However, we are considering what reform might be appropriate to the law in this area.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) if his Department will estimate the savings in reduced litigation costs that might accrue from a reform of civil procedure rules to clarify the courts' powers to strike out cases on a basis that personal injury claims were exaggerated or fabricated;...
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) if his Department will estimate the savings in reduced litigation costs that might accrue from a reform of civil procedure rules to clarify the courts' powers to strike out cases on a basis that personal injury claims were exaggerated or fabricated;...
No figures are available for the number of victims of, or for the average loss incurred from, personal injury fraud. Across all forms of insurance the ABI estimates that fraud adds, on average, an extra £50 a year to the annual insurance bill for every UK policyholder.
However, we have already seen a fall in premiums paid by motorists following the implementation of Government reforms in April 2013. The latest ABI quarterly index shows a 9% drop in actual premiums paid in the last year. The Government fully expects insurers to continue to meet their commitment to pass on the savings from these and other reforms to consumers.
The Government is committed to turning the tide on fraudulent personal injury claims. To this end we are working closely with stakeholders across the industry to secure better data on motor accident cases, including the number of fraudulent cases.
No estimate is available of any cost savings that might accrue from clarifying the courts’ powers to strike out claims that are exaggerated or fabricated. However, we are considering what reform might be appropriate to the law in this area.