Here are nine reasons why you should call us first.
maximise your compensation
If you use your insurance company or an accident management company to make your claim then your solicitor may have to obtain permission from the insurance or accident management company before settling it. Your solicitor may also come under pressure to settle your case early. This may not be in your best interest because the first offer of compensation that you receive is likely to be under valued. If you come directly to us we can make sure that you receive the maximum amount of compensation.
we don't sell your claim or details
All claims management companies and most insurance companies will sell your claim or details to a firm of solicitors in order to generate a profit for themselves.The sale of your claim does not benefit you at all and your details are sometimes forwarded to others in breach of the Data Protection Act 1998. We never sell your claim or disclose your details to third parties in breach of the Data Protection Act 1998. In fact we would prefer to pay you or someone close to you for your case.
we will act in your best interest
Accident management and insurance companies pass large volumes of cases to their "panel" solicitors. Many of these "panel" solicitors have no other sources of income and rely upon keeping the referring companies happy in order to secure further work. This could lead to split loyalties and be detrimental to your claim. If you come directly to us we will put you and your interests at the heart of the process.
no hidden charges
Some claims management companies will charge "administration", "investigation" or "exit" fees which have to be paid out of your compensation. Others will insist that you enter into expensive loans or credit agreements or that your compensation cheque is made payable to them so that they can make their deductions first. If you come directly to us we will pay 100% of your compensation straight to you.
expertise
Insurance company "advisors" and claims management companies do not have legal qualifications or expertise and you will probably be dealing with someone in a call centre who has to deal with hundreds of queries like yours on any given day. We are a specialist personal injury firm of solicitors and only legally qualified staff will deal with your matter.
fair assessment of your claim
Unlike some claims management companies we will give you a fair assessment of your claim. It is not in our interest to exaggerate the value of your claim because we know that we have to make good on the promises that we make unlike the claims management companies who will have long since disappeared from the scene after selling your claim on. Equally it is not in our interest to under value your claim because the amount we are paid is linked to the amount of compensation that you receive.
clarity
Most claims mangement and insurance companies receive commissions for dealing with your case. These commissions are unlikely to be disclosed to you. If we receive any commission from any third party then this will be disclosed to you.
simplicity
If you use a claims management company then you are likely not only to have to tell your story more than once but will invariably be passed from one department to another. What's more obtaining a simple update on the progress of your case can take many hours if not days as the claims mangement company contacts the solicitor and then has to ring you. If you come directly to us we will take the details of the accident from you and you can leave the rest to us. We will provide you with regular updates, but if you need information at any stage all you have to do is contact us.
peace of mind
We are a firm of solicitors regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and we carry professional indemnity insurance. The problem of claims management companies (some of whom have disappeared overnight including a well recognised nationwide firm) led to regulation of the industry by the Ministry of Justice. If you are using a claims management company you should, at least, ensure that they are regulated by the Ministry of Justice.
