Legal expenses specialist Mondial Assistance has urged insurers to consider mediation before launching legal actions.
National sales manager Steve Hook said: "Explaining mediation to policyholders is almost as difficult as persuading some solicitors to use mediation rather than fight through the courts.
The average individual is not aware of the strength and flexibility of alternative dispute resolution (through mediation or otherwise). It is vital to be able to show the individual that it is the benefits to them and not just to the insurer's purse which prompt mention of mediation".
The company also said that mediation had begun settling the smaller disputes such as consumer; property/neighbour; and samller injury matters.
Too much "expense" and "stress" was being spent by insurers when a case goes to court, added Hook.
