Insurers to study whiplash claimants in house
Allainz produced a scheme for insurers to train specialist claims handlers to evaluate whiplash cases in house, removing the need for claimants to use external legal experts, thus reducing associated legal costs.
Routine whiplash claims cost Allianz Cornhill an estimated £50 million per year, half of which the company states results from legal costs. Bob Rabbitts, a technical claims manager from the company stated that the scheme will help to decrease the company’s legal costs and detect fraudulent claims.
Valid claims will still be handled by the company which allows the customer access to a medical examination and medical reports. At any time during this process, the client can seek a private assessment and legal advice, and the legal costs will still be covered as part of the claim.
Rabbitts said“Claims will be measured against fraud indicators and investigated by our claims handlers. Claims that fail will be dismissed and where the company believes the policyholder is a credible witness, defended in court ”.
A pilot project by the company exposed that 10% of whiplash claims were fraudulent.
Updated on 08/09/2008