The Motor Accident Solicitors Society
"bringing justice to the victims of road traffic accidents"
MASS is a national association of solicitors representing the victims of road traffc accidents. The society is non-proft making and all our members are experts in road accident and personal injury claims. MASS covers England, Wales, Scotland & Northern Ireland. Find your local MASS solicitor.
MASS LAUNCHES NATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO ASSIST VICTIMS OF ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS
BEWARE!
HAVE YOU BEEN CONTACTED DIRECTLY BY AN INSURANCE COMPANY FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT?
HAVE YOU SETTLED YOUR CLAIM FOR FAR LESS THAN IT WAS WORTH?
MASS is launching a national campaign to warn consumers of the dangers of dealing direct with an insurance company (which represents the driver who caused the accident), who are contacting victims offering to settle their claim, before they have had the chance to seek independent legal advice. This practice is known as ‘third party capture’ and often means that victims are not given the treatment (if there is an injury) or settlement that they are fully entitled to.
Some insurers put pressure on victims not to seek independent legal advice, often giving misleading or misrepresenting reasons of increased expense and time for their claim. One particular insurer may send a sales representative to the victims’ house to persuade them to settle their claim early.
MASS is extremely concerned as this practice is unjust and plainly wrong, with the insurer acting as Judge, Jury and Paymaster. Furthermore, we believe that there is a loophole in the regulations, which enable insurers to carry out this practice unchecked and unregulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and Government through the Compensation Act. Consequently, MASS’ campaign will concentrate on lobbying the FSA and Government to tighten up their Rules; and to educate the consumer so they are fully aware of this practice and the dangers of settling their claim without first seeking independent legal advice.
Further details and information will shortly be posted onto the MASS website, but in the meantime if you have experienced this practice please email us at - office@mass.org.uk