Insurance Commission goes the extra mile to settle claims

11  October 2018

• Claims officers visiting Pilbara and Kimberley to help people injured in crashes obtain compensation;
• Customer-focused initiative to reduce claim settlement duration;
• Up to 60 claims estimated at millions of dollars to be settled.

The Insurance Commission hits the road this week to settle outstanding motor injury insurance claims in northern Western Australia.

Claims officers and legal representatives are spending nine days (8-16 October) meeting people from 10 towns and communities in the Pilbara and Kimberley who have been injured in crashes, travelling more than 7,000 kilometres in total.

In the last 12 months, the Insurance Commission received 217 new motor injury insurance claims in the Pilbara and Kimberley; and it is expected that settlement negotiations will involve up to 60 claims, estimated at many millions of dollars.

Rod Whithear, Chief Executive of the Insurance Commission, says: “Road crashes are a traumatic time for people and their families but the insurance claims process doesn’t have to be.”

Mr Whithear acknowledged that in some remote areas, some claimants may not have access to the services they require to help them finalise their claims. “This is why we go to the claimants instead”, Mr Whithear says. “As well as providing compensation, settling the claim helps people move on with their lives.”

The Insurance Commission has been conducting this trip for the last five years and feedback from previous claimants has been positive.

“Our staff hear first-hand how thankful people are of being able to meet in person to discuss and finalise their claim,” comments Mr Whithear. “We are proud of our innovative approach to meet the needs of customers.”

In 2018, the Insurance Commission made $391 million in claims payments to people injured in crashes (mostly in prior years) and booked anticipated future claims expenses of $2.4 billion.

Insurance Commission claims trip 2018 itinerary

* Google Maps’ fastest route by road for illustrative purposes only