Helphire probes Autofocus credit hire cases

Helphire is to open its backfiles on credit hire cases spot checked by Autofocus, with a view to making recoveries from insurers.

The Helphire investigation into Autofocus cases comes after Lord Justice Moses and Mr Justice Irwin granted permission for Accident Exchange to pursue contempt of court allegations against seven former employees of Autofocus.

The seven former workers at Autofocus Ltd, now in liquidation, had the job to investigate, on behalf of insurance companies, typical car hire rates in areas where crashes occurred.

The company’s research results were used in a vast number of cases to calculate reasonable contract car hire rates for replacement vehicles – but the seven are said to have been based on hundreds of phantom telephone calls that were never in fact made.

A Helphire statement said: “Helphire notes that Lord Justice Moses and Mr. Justice Irwin have granted Accident Exchange permission to pursue allegations of contempt of court against seven former employees of Autofocus and also notes the related media coverage. 

“Helphire has closely followed the actions of Accident Exchange against Autofocus’s former employees and the re-opening of cases said to have been wrongly decided due to Autofocus’s inaccurate hire rates evidence.

“Helphire is reviewing cases which included evidence from Autofocus and is investigating the possibility of making further recoveries from such cases.”