Insurers urged to be proactive over MoJ claims legislation

Insurers must be prepared for possible changes to personal injury claims legislation before the Ministry of Justice makes its final decisions, warned speakers during the morning session.

Part of that preparation includes creating efficient first- response teams for accidents.

"What you can't have is a first-response team staffed by junior people. You need investment and training," said Anthony Hughes, a partner at DWF Solicitors.

This will especially help mitigate problems if time limits are decreased to 30 days for responding to a claim, he added.

Another additional help for firms dealing with large amounts of claims could also be found in outsourcing facilities.

"You can't have a situation where you have backlogs because people will know about it," he said, adding there's little a company would be able to do to stall handing in a response after the 30-day period lapses.

Roy Hebburn, acting director of claims at Allianz, agreed, saying insurance companies tuned into dealing with things more efficiently will get ahead.

"Having a process in place to bring them from 'A to Z' in quicker time is necessary," commented Mr Hebburn.

Increasing automation is key to achieving these goals, they both added.

"Using snail mail, you will not meet the time limits that will apply," said Mr Hebburn.

Although Mr Hughes said he failed to see how there would be any changes on the books until 2009, even if a decision is returned by the end of March, he focused on the need to plan ahead by updating IT systems to track claims and increase communication between various parties.