CPD event Tuesday 25 February 2020 - Personal Injury Claims - Where Next?

Overview of presentation

Over the last 25 years, few areas of the insurance market have seen such frequent and significant changes than that of personal injury claims.

Various reforms have been introduced in attempts to tackle sensitive issues such as access to justice, fraud, legal fees and their effect on premium levels. Unsurprisingly these have generated strong feelings on all sides of the argument.

In April 2020, the Civil Liability Act will introduce what are likely to be the most sweeping changes of all.

This lecture looks at the background to the current market for injury claims and predicts the likely outcomes for insurers, intermediaries, claimants and the insuring public.

This presentation will be of value to those involved in Motor claims, underwriting, broking or anyone wishing to widen their knowledge of a highly topical and sometimes contentious aspect of general insurance.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this event, the delegate will be able to identify:

• The background and development of the personal injury market
• The features of the Civil Liability Act 2018 as they affect personal injury claims
• Essential aspects of the alterations to the ‘Ogden’ discount rate.
• The likely consequences for insurers, intermediaries, claimants and the insuring public
• Ideas for communication strategies when dealing with clients and potential claimants

Speaker biography

Bernard Thornton FCII

Chartered Insurance Practitioner

Bernard Thornton spent much of his career in the company market, culminating in the role of North East Regional Manager for a major insurer. He then set up a Motor Claims Management business from scratch, before merging it into Active Auto Solutions, where he was Sales Director until retirement in March 2019.

Over a lengthy career he has worked in Motor Claims for both defendant and claimant, with specialisation in personal injury, credit hire and legal expenses. Seeking to disseminate his wide knowledge of these subjects and to put something back into the insurance business, he delivers lectures and training sessions to insurance businesses and local Insurance Institutes.

Bernard has served as President of the Insurance Institute of Leeds on 2 occasions, was a member of the CII’s Representative Council and maintains an active membership of Leeds Institute as Vice President and Dinner Secretary. His recent retirement allows Bernard more opportunities to enjoy his many sporting interests and a family which now includes 3 grandchildren. He enjoys walking, is a cricket umpire and a commentator for Leeds Hospital Radio Sport.