Motor Insurance Database : Injury claim

[Raz316]

Hi all,

a few weeks back our car was hit by a van. Our car was pulled over and stopped at the side of the road and the other driver smacked into the back right corner of our car. My other half was in the driving seat still and I had just gotten out of the car about 5 seconds earlier. Our insurer is happy that, based on the information we have provided, the accident is 0% our fault.

Anyway....

Today I had a call from someone claiming to be from the Motor Insurance Database and he was calling me in relation to the above incident. He was letting me know that the third party is claiming a minor injury from the incident and wondered if there had been any physical pain on our part.

He explained that effectively for each accident a set amount is allocated for minor injuries (whiplash, back pain etc) and this is distributed between both parties based on whether they claim to have had a minor injury from the incident as well as the the fault factor.

So based on the fact that we were 0% at fault we would get a majority of the pay out. That's IF we make a minor injury claim. If we do NOT make a claim, he will get all of the money....

Now my question is, does this sound like the way these things genuinely play out?

Thanks

[peterb]

I get calls like this all the time in relation to a claim I had some time ago - for a replacement windscreen. The caller claims to have got the details from some non-existent quasi-official sounding organisation.

I think it is some sort of scam, but I usually hang up before it develops. I think it is some sort of claims agency looking for commission.

If in doubt, contact your insurance company and bear in mind that making a claim for something that didn't happen is fraud.

And if the other driver is at fault, he is unlikely to make any claim at all, unless he has personal injury insurance, and that will be handled by his insurer.

[Raz316]

bear in mind that making a claim for something that didn't happen is fraud.

Agreed, just so all are aware, I'm not asking whether I should/shouldn't make a claim, I'm asking whether the scenario described seems genuine or not.

If it's true that the third party HAS claimed a minor injury, quite honestly, that irritates me quite considerably. But for all I know the person I was speaking to may have said that to try and make me make a claim?

I quizzed the person on the phone about the Motor Insurance Database and what it's relation was to the MIB and the info I was told matched what I had found... but still... who knows.

So I reiterate, can anyone offer any insight into whether the following statement is true

He explained that effectively for each accident a set amount is allocated for minor injuries (whiplash, back pain etc) and this is distributed between both parties based on whether they claim to have had a minor injury from the incident as well as the the fault factor.

[DDY]

None of that comes across as genuine to me.

The MIB from what I gather only steps in if there's a claim against a driver who has done a runner or is uninsured, or both.

In this situation where the 3rd party is 100% at fault, provided the van driver is insured and has given honest information, the MIB has nothing to do with it and you'll be claiming from the van drivers insurance company directly or via a claims management company. Don't be tempted or persuaded in to claiming anything from your own insurance.

The van driver might attempt to claim off your insurance company for injuries or whatever, arguing that your other half is at least partially culpable, fight that all the way but my point is the MIB doesn't get involved as (I hope ) your other half is insured. The van driver may also claim of his/her own insurance but that will again have nothing to do with the MIB or indeed you or your other half.

It reads like your being scammed in to claiming via an unscrupulous claims management company, behind the guise of the MID and MIB. That's not to say claims management companies are bad, I've gone that route twice on two non-fault accidents without any issues. *

EDIT: * By that I mean claims management companies that I've specifically chosen myself. Calling me up to offer their services is an automatic no.

[peterb]

I understand you are not asking about claiming, but the people most likely to give you an authoratitive answer is your insurance company. Apart from getting an answer, you may be alerting them to a possible insurance frauds by the other party. Of course, it may be a genuine claim, but by telling your insurance company, you are ensuring that you are not regarded, however incorrectly, that you are complicit.

[Butcher]

So I reiterate, can anyone offer any insight into whether the following statement is true

He explained that effectively for each accident a set amount is allocated for minor injuries (whiplash, back pain etc) and this is distributed between both parties based on whether they claim to have had a minor injury from the incident as well as the the fault factor.

It is not true. Damages are assessed on a case by case basis for each accident, there is no set amount allocated.

[herulach]

It is not true. Damages are assessed on a case by case basis for each accident, there is no set amount allocated.

To be fair, it's true to a limited extent for certain kinds of injuries, particularly where something is pretty uncomplicated.

[Raz316]

To be fair, it's true to a limited extent for certain kinds of injuries, particularly where something is pretty uncomplicated.

Can you elaborate at all Herulach?

[herulach]

Can you elaborate at all Herulach?

Theres generally agreed upon sets of figures for say a broken leg which heals normally. It only starts getting convoluted if there are long term injuries. Or at least thats how it worked 5 or 6 years ago when I had a few claims solicitors as customers. Its not as though theres some pot of money sitting around somewhere that gets dished out as this crowd appeared to portray to you though. It needs to be agreed between the insurers, or more likely their claims firms.

[Butcher]

To be fair, it's true to a limited extent for certain kinds of injuries, particularly where something is pretty uncomplicated.

Yeah, it's true that uncomplicated claims have a standard settlement amount, but they portray it that there is money sat on the table for every accident and if you don't claim it the other party will, which is patently not true.