ATTENTION ALL MOTORISTS AND FLEET OPERATORS..........

IMPORTANT NEWS ABOUT HOW CLAIMS HANDLING IS CHANGING

On the 30^th April 2010 the Ministry of Justice will introduce a new handling procedure for Personal Injury claims resulting from motor accidents.

The most significant aspect of these reforms from a clients’ perspective is that insurers will only have 15 working days from contact by the claimant to make a decision regarding liability.

So now, more than ever, it is absolutely crucial that you notify us of any accident that you or your drivers are involved in IMMEDIATELY.  If the accident occurs at the weekend or out of business hours, then please contact your insurers direct on their helpline. This will help us and your insurers manage your claim in your best interests.

If insurers do not comply with this time scale, there will be financial penalties which will ultimately affect your claims experience. Furthermore, as your insurers have a statutory duty to comply with the reforms they may choose to admit liability on your behalf and deal with the third party claim if they have not heard from you.

The claimant’s solicitors will have access to your insurance details through the Motor Insurers Database and will communicate direct with your insurers through a dedicated website, which means that your insurers may know about the injury claim before you do. It is therefore imperative that you do not wait for contact from a third party before reporting the accident, so that insurers know your version of events.

It is also vital that you make it as easy as possible for your insurers to complete the enquiries that are necessary. In practical terms, this means letting them speak direct with your drivers or transport manager.

Basically, time is of the essence, and if claims are not notified quickly, they will almost certainly end up costing you more.

Here are a few suggestions of how you can help us help you:

• Give your drivers our dedicated claims handler numbers – they are 01752 675456 & 01752 675485.

• Make your drivers aware of your insurer helpline number for out of hour’s accidents.

• Provide your drivers with an accident report form to get the important information if they are involved in an accident. We can supply a suitable form on request.. Have them keep a few in their vehicle, just in case.

• Allow your insurers direct access to your driver – when notifying a claim let us have your drivers telephone number and not just that for the office.

• Equip your drivers with a camera or mobile phone with a camera facility – a photo of the scene of an accident is a very useful addition to a description.

• Review your own procedures, for example: –

1.      Implement and enforce a reporting procedure for drivers.

2.      Interview drivers quickly

3.      Send on paperwork without delay

4.      Allow insurers access to your drivers direct

• Be  PRAGMATIC – if the accident is your fault confirm this to us/your insurers straight away, as contested claims will certainly cost more

Following our continued growth David Jolly has joined WPS as a senior account handler.

As an Associate of the CII, David will provide further strength to our client support team and brings a wealth of experience from over 25 years in the insurance industry.

Having worked for International brokers and regional competitors, David chose to join WPS because he related to our culture of putting clients interests at the forefront of what we do. David was especialy keen to have the ability to work independently and use his experience for the benefit of our clients.

WPS are deligthed to announce that Colin Raffell has joined as a client account executive.

Colin has a great deal of experience of providing advice and service to clients across the South West especially those in the Motor Trade Sector.

WPS have acquired new office premises..

Our new address from 29th December 2009 is;

SPARGO HOUSE,

10 BUDSHEAD WAY,

PLYMOUTH 

PL6  5FE

TELEPHONE NUMBERS, FAX AND EMAIL ADDRESSES WILL REMAIN UNALTERED

The premises in the Crownhill area of Plymouth will provide much needed additional space as a result of our continued growth.

Close to the main arterial routes the new offices will give us an excellent base for our operations and make it easy for us to visit clients as well as welcome clients.

The board of WPS are delighted to announce the company has been awarded Investors In People status.

Chairman Richard Persson commented that the award reflected the companys commitment to staff training and as well as the desire of staff to personal growth and development.

WPS employs 32 staff many of whom have been with the company for over 5 years and has an excellent record of staff retention. As an independent company WPS aims to be the preferred employer in our sector in the region