Ford has developed a new model for accident management. With the Ford Fleet Accident Management programme there will be;

• No personal injury (PI) “ambulance chasing”. Neither Ford nor its partners make any money from PI referral fees.
• No credit hire. Hire vehicles provided at cost plus a small admin fee.

The current fleet accident management (AM) sector business model works by claims managers:

• Charging fleet customers for the service
• Taking PI referral fees from firms of solicitors in exchange for “non fault” drivers’ names. “Claims farming” of accident victims takes place, where drivers are encouraged to make PI claims. 
• Charging inflated credit hire charges for hire vehicles
  

Benefits of the Ford Fleet Accident Management programme:

• It's free to fleets purchasing Ford vehicles
• It's available to all drivers and all makes
• Immobile vehicles will be recovered
• Fords will be sent to Ford Accident Repair Centres where:
  

- Genuine Ford parts will be fitted
- Panel warranty will be maintained
- Ford trained technicians will work on your vehicles
- Ford repair methods will be followed and quality standards will be met
- Ford courtesy/ hire vehicles will be supplied

• Non-Fords will be sent to an appropriate accident repair centre, the same manufacturer where available
• The cost of motor insurance claims should reduce as there is no inducement of customers to make spurious PI claims, there will be no incentive to extend repairs or vehicle hire and there will be a lower cost of hire vehicles provided.
  

Press reaction to Ford's retail accident management programme:

“Ford Cleans Up Accident Management with its Own Scheme.”

05 Jun 11, HONESTJOHN.CO.UK

“The interesting part of the Ford proposal is that it fits very neatly with the Jackson Report which could well be the blueprint to reshape the "Accident Industry" as we know it.”

Lucy Bonham Carter, Motor Legal Expert ("Ask Lucy"), Daily Telegraph

If you are interested in participating in the Ford Fleet Accident Management programme call the Ford Fleet Service Centre on 01277 251250 or contact your Fleet Aftermarket Business Manager.