Northern Ireland Law Society Calls for Action Against Insurers

Third Party Capture tactics face criticism from lawyers

Insurance company tactics have come in for criticism again recently, with the release of a report by the Northern Ireland Law Society into the controversial practice of third party capture.

Third Party Capture is the term used by insurance companies to refer to getting people injured in accidents caused by their own policy holders to accept a compensation deal without contacting either their own insurers or getting independent legal advice. Often, an insurance company representative will make an injured person an offer of compensation before they have even obtained medical evidence detailing the full extent of any injuries they have suffered in the accident.

Often the tactics used by the insurance companies can place a lot of pressure on people who right after an accident might not be in the best position to think through all of the options they have and make an informed decision. The Northern Ireland Law Society, in it’s press release, highlighted the tactics that particularly concern it.

These include insurance companies who give out incorrect information to injured people as to their legal rights. Other firms were found to be discouraging injured people from seeking the opinion of a medical expert on the extent of their injuries and from seeking independent legal advice. The most worrying issue was the use of persistent phone calls and door stepping of accident victims to pressurise people into making decisions that may not be in their best interests in the long term.

It is not just in Northern Ireland that such tactics have been used by insurers. Several of Camps’ own clients have informed us that they have been the target of persistent and unwanted communication from either insurance companies or representatives working on their behalf. In fact, in extreme cases, some insurance company representatives have even gone as far as to impersonate solicitors and medical practice staff in an attempt to get information out of accident victims.

Independent legal advice

Camps Solicitors offer independent legal advice to anyone who has been injured in an accident that wasn’t their fault. Unlike insurance companies, we don’t have any vested interest in undervaluing injury claims. We will push for our clients to receive a proper level of compensation – one that reflects the impact their injuries have had on their lives. If necessary we will take your case all the way to court to get you the best possible compensation award.