Taxi Driver Online

CCTV in Hull taxis to cut fake whiplash claims


A TAXI firm owner has been told to install cameras in all of his cars to cut down on fraudulent whiplash claims.

Andrew Tindall, who owns Belmont Taxis and fleet hire company Hull Cab Hire, was told by his insurance company to fit high-definition CCTV in his 95-strong fleet.

His company paid out £40,000 in personal injury claims following accidents last year, £30,000 of which were for whiplash.

His insurance policy has now risen by 70 per cent.

Mr Tindall said: "Last year was terrible and it was all down to minor injury claims.

"We have had such a massive hit, especially on whiplash claims, some of which we believe are fraudulent.

"It is about time people started standing up against these fake claims."

The Government yesterday held a summit to discuss "weeding out" the "compensation culture".

In one case, Mr Tindall's insurer Westminster paid £10,000 compensation following an accident that caused £100 of damage to the car.

Mr Tindall believes his firm will be the first taxi company in Hull to use the cameras, which record the vehicle's speed and direction, the date and time, and images of the driver and any passengers.

They will also record footage from inside the cars, which can be used if drivers are assaulted.

Mr Tindall said: "With the evidence they record, it should cut out fraudulent claims, which we believe was the main result of our policy increase."

Charles Reilly, of Westminster Insurance, said: "The aim of the cameras is to assist in the protection of our insured against fraudulent claims and will hopefully allow us to obtain accurate details of an event.

"We have also included inward- facing cameras as frequently there are situations where the driver is either attacked, or passengers try to leave the moving vehicle in an effort to avoid paying the fare.

"Our limited use of cameras to date has proved very successful in the reduction of claims costs and the hope is that in the future this will allow us to provide discounts on premiums if cameras are fitted."

source: http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.u ... story.html

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

So what discount are Westminster offering to drivers who have inside and outside facing cameras?

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IDFIMH