MASS MOTOR ACCIDENT

What's Wrong With Third Party Capture?

MASS believes this practice is placing the accident victim at an unfair and distinct disadvantage. We have put together a few points as to why we believe accident victims should never accept an offer made directly to them by the ‘defendants’ insurance company.

• Offers made to accident victims by insurers are frequently lower than the claim is worth, denying the victim the service and compensation they deserve.
• Where an injury has occurred, insurers often make settlement offers without medical examinations to ascertain the full extent and degree of the injury and any short, medium or long term effects the injury may have.
• There is a huge conflict of interest because the insurer is acting on behalf of their policy holder (the defendant) and the accident victim at the same time.
• An insurers’ primary objective is to save money – there is little or no regard for the victims’ best interests.
• Accident victims are not always offered the opportunity to seek independent legal advice.
• It is crucial that when a person under the age of 18 (a minor) is involved in an accident that independent legal advice is sought. The legal rights of ‘minors’ are a lot more detailed with potential long term implications especially if there is an injury. MASS is aware that some insurers attempt to ‘buy-off’ this element of a claim. If this happens and the minor has suffered an injury, it could affect them for the rest of their life and with no course for redress or compensation.
• Accident victims are often given misleading information about how solicitors will handle their claim – For example, “Using a solicitor will cost you money and the claim will take a lot longer to settle”. This is not accurate.
• Third Party Capture is taking advantage of accident victims, who are already vulnerable following an accident; many of whom are having to contend with the trauma and injuries of their accident
• Insurers are effectively acting as Judge, Jury and Paymaster
• Accident Victims can be harassed by constant telephone calls and pressure to settle their claim quickly. In some cases representatives are turning up on the victims doorstep unannounced and uninvited.

MASS believes that insurers are not adequately regulated or monitored when carrying out Third Party Capture, and do not believe the accident victim is receiving the compensation they deserve. Whilst the Association of British Insurers (ABI) has issued a voluntary ‘Code’ this is not compulsory and only applies to their members and therefore not all insurers.

We need you to help us with our campaign. We need to collate as much information and evidence as possible, so if you have recently been involved in an accident we would be grateful if you would spend 5 minutes of your time to complete our questionnaire.

All your information will remain absolutely confidential and will be used by us purely for statistical evidence.

Please click here for the questionnaire or alternatively contact the MASS office on 0117 925 9604 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you would like to discuss this in more detail. Thank you!