AXA issues accident cards to help meet claims reforms

AXA has begun issuing “accident cards” to its fleet customers to help speed up claims and to meet the Ministry of Justice’s (MoJ) new personal injury reforms that begin later this year.

The credit-card-sized cards will display customer’s insurance details and can be given to other parties involved in an accident.

AXA said the cards should speed up the claims process.

“Faster resolution of claims brings cost efficiencies, particularly where the accident was our policyholder’s fault, and this will help us manage premium levels,” said AXA in a message to brokers.

In its personal injury report last year, the MoJ said the fast-track limit for claims should be increased to £25,000 while the small claims limit for personal injury claims would remain at £1,000. The new laws are also intended to limit the use of third party credit hire firms.

AXA said the cards would help them comply with the new rules which, from October, introduce timescales for insurers to handle third party injury claims. Failure to comply on an individual claim would result in increased costs, affecting future premiums, it added.