Accident Exchange acts on ‘dishonest’ evidence

Accident Exchange, which provides replacement vehicles after crashes, today said it was "uncovering fresh material on a daily basis" that evidence offered in court over what it charges was "incorrect or dishonest".

The company is taking legal action against Autofocus, an expert on car hire rates, which it claims understated the amount it should be paid by drivers found to be at fault in accidents. It alleges Autofocus presented "defective evidence" in court battles leading to low payments from drivers or their insurers for the use of a replacement car.

Accident Exchange said "at least 2500" claims with a combined value of £22 million could be affected as insurers look to limit payouts.

Autofocus rejected the claims and has pledged to "defend itself and its reputation".

Accident Exchange said: "In the past week, the rate of discovery of more cases where the evidence appears to be incorrect or dishonest has increased and, on a daily basis, our investigators continue to obtain witness statements that suggest Autofocus' evidence is dishonest on further claims."

It said use of Autofocus reports "has become an embedded part of the defence process being deployed by certain UK motor insurers in their attempts to avoid paying credit hire claims at a market spot rate."