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Does claiming whiplash compensation impact your insurance?

Being involved in a road traffic accident is never a nice experience. And when you’re a driver, you may feel the added pressures and financial stress of your insurance looming. Will your premiums go up? How does whiplash compensation affect your no-claims bonus? It’s natural to have lots of questions. 

But don’t worry, the team at Tylers Solicitors is here to answer all your questions so you know how best to handle making a whiplash claim and manage your car insurance. 

Why is whiplash so common in car accidents?

Whiplash occurs when your head and neck jolt suddenly out of the scope of natural motion. In a car crash, the impact can lead to your head being thrust backwards, forwards, or sideways. With this in mind, it’s unsurprising that nearly 85% of road traffic accidents result in whiplash injuries.

Whiplash can lead to pain and discomfort in your head, neck, and shoulders — it can sometimes affect your back, too. The effects can be mild and short-lived or cause longer-term issues, and it’s the duration of your injury that influences how much compensation you might be entitled to.

Can you claim for whiplash if the accident was your fault?

If you were the driver solely responsible for a car accident that led to you experiencing whiplash, you wouldn’t be able to claim compensation. 

However, if you were partly at fault, and so was the other driver, you may be eligible to claim. You won’t get as much compensation as a no-fault claimant, but you may be able to share liability and receive compensation for the other driver’s share of the blame. 

Shared liability tends to be most common in accidents involving more than two vehicles — for example, a collision at a roundabout.

How does a whiplash claim affect your insurance?

So, what does all this mean for your car insurance? 

If you were not at fault

If you suffered from whiplash in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be eligible for compensation if the injuries are deemed severe enough. 

You’ll technically be raising the claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, so it shouldn’t affect your no-claims bonus. However, you will likely see your insurance premiums go up.

Unfortunately, your insurance company will still see you as a higher risk, even if it wasn’t your fault. This is particularly the case if you’ve made previous car insurance claims. 

The good news, however, is that the increase in your premiums will be a lot lower than it would be if the accident was your fault. 

If the accident was your fault

If the blame is placed upon you, you can expect your insurance premiums to go up substantially, especially if the other driver files a whiplash claim against your insurance carrier.

What if it’s unclear which party is to blame?

In no-blame instances, it tends to be a case of first come, first serve. If you file a claim against the other party first, the odds are in your favour. On the other hand, if the other party files a claim first, you’ll likely experience higher premiums.

As such, we always recommend seeking support from a solicitor as soon as possible after a road traffic accident.

Claiming whiplash compensation as a passenger

It’s a lot more straightforward to claim whiplash compensation if you were the passenger in a car crash — even if you were in the at-fault vehicle. After all, you weren’t in charge of the car!

How much compensation can you receive for whiplash?

In May 2021, the UK government introduced a new whiplash compensation tariff to make whiplash claims more straightforward. With this new system, it’s no longer your whiplash grade that determines how much you’re eligible for. 

Instead, you’ll receive a set compensation amount depending on how long your whiplash injuries last. For example:

  • You may not be able to receive compensation if your whiplash is very minor and clears up within a few days. 

  • If the injuries last for 3 months or less, you might be able to claim up to £260.
  • If your recovery takes between 3 and 6 months, you could be eligible for up to £520.
  • For whiplash that lasts between 6 and 9 months, the maximum you can receive is £895. 

The amounts increase until a maximum recovery time of 18-24 months — if your whiplash lasts this long, you may be able to claim up to £4,345.

How to claim for whiplash compensation with Tylers Solicitors

As with other personal injuries, there are a few key pieces of information you’ll need to obtain to make a compensation claim. 

You’ll need to be able to prove that the other party was at fault. You’ll also need to show evidence of your injuries, so we always recommend gathering medical records, witness contact details, and any other sources that can support your claim.

You can then contact our helpful team, and we’ll see how viable your claim is. From there, we’ll handle the rest for you, ensuring a smooth claims process that’s as stress-free as possible. 

For your peace of mind, we work on a no-win, no-fee basis — so you’ll only need to pay us if your claim is successful. If you’ve experienced whiplash following a car accident, please don’t hesitate to get in touch and speak with one of our experienced solicitors. 

Contact us online or call 0800 699 0079 to get the ball rolling with making a whiplash claim.

Need more information? Don’t worry, one of our professional claims solicitors will advise you along the way

Contact us on 0800 699 0079 or via our online contact form to start your claim today!

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