Insurance Ireland has welcomed the commencement of the Second Stage Dail debate on the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill which provides new measures to help improve the claims settlement process. The Government’s Cost of Insurance Working Group Report made a number of recommendations in relation to strengthening the PIAB model including cases of non-cooperation such as non-attendance at medicals and refusal to provide details of special damages like loss of earnings information. This non-cooperation impacts on the number of awards accepted by claimants and can result in more cases proceeding to expensive litigation.

Kevin Thompson, CEO of Insurance Ireland said, “Since its establishment the Personal Injuries Assessment Board has played an important role in settling compensation claims efficiently, however, it needs additional powers to respond to a changing environment. For instance, when claimants do not turn up for medicals or do not supply loss of earnings information, this limits the Board’s ability to make informed compensation awards that will be accepted by claimants. This can impact on the number of cases proceeding to court and all the costs that entails.

“It is hoped the legislation will encourage higher levels of acceptance rates of Personal Injuries Assessment Board awards and will reduce settlement costs in the system. Insurance Ireland supports this Bill and looks forward to its swift passage through the Oireachtas and implementation thereafter.”