A rocketing number of claims has seen the cost of car insurance double in last fifteen years
Despite collisions falling 60 per cent since 2000 the soaring number of minor accident payouts has driven up costs
THE cost of car insurance has more than doubled in 15 years due to rocketing injury claims.
Despite collisions falling 60 per cent since 2000, the soaring number of minor accident payouts means they can now account for nearly 50p in every £1 spent on premiums.
While the average driver would have paid £450 for comprehensive insurance then, the average now is nearly £1,000.
Consumer group Which? found the increase is down to companies encouraging claims for minor scrapes.
According to Ofcom data analysed for Aviva, who have led the campaign to crack down on such claims, Brits last year got 600million calls and 117million texts urging bids for compo.
Which? found Aviva spends 49p in every £1 on personal injury claims. At Co-op, esure and Sheilas’ Wheels it is 38p.
Rob Townend, claims director at Aviva, told The Sun: “When accidents have continued to fall across the last 15 years, it seems at odds that the number of injury claims has almost doubled.”
“We would urge the Government to implement planned new rules for personal injury claims as soon as possible to stop the compensation culture and save motorists an expected £40 - £50 on their premium.”
Last November, Chancellor George Osborne outlined new rules to scrap payouts for whiplash except in extreme cases where there was serious injury - ruling out all the minor claims that law experts say don’t warrant a payout.