InterResolve, the independent claims resolution specialist, has today announced that AXA Insurance (AXA) has agreed to increase claims volumes through InterResolve and use its Bodily Injury Claims Scheme in more complex injury claims.

InterResolve will now be used in all new claims against AXA introduced to the Scheme by members of LawAlliance, the UK-wide claimant lawyer network set up specifically for the Scheme. LawAlliance members provide independent legal advice and, where appropriate, representation for claimants. The Scheme will also be used by AXA for unrepresented claims introduced directly through InterResolve wherever possible.

The agreed costs arrangements will provide savings in claimant costs for AXA of between 30% and 80% compared to present levels.

AXA was one of the first insurers to pilot the InterResolve Scheme involving a unique claims costs guarantee with a fixed cost covering independent legal advice, medical fees, anti-fraud checks, rehabilitation assessments and InterResolve’s own costs in all Employers’ and Public Liability and Road Traffic Accident cases.

AXA’s use of the Scheme will also now extend to claims where there are liability issues to be resolved as well as to catastrophic injury claims.

Peter Ashdown-Barr, CEO of InterResolve, said: “We are delighted that AXA has seen tangible benefits from our Scheme and that these are significant enough to warrant an expansion of our involvement with higher volumes and for more complex claims.” He added: “InterResolve’s is now the only scheme on the market dealing with more complex claims where liability is in issue”

David Fisher, Liability Claims Technical Manager of AXA Insurance, said: “AXA sees real benefits in the InterResolve scheme in respect of establishing transparency and proportionality in claims costs as well as reducing the time it takes to resolve straightforward injury claims.

“We also see no reason why this scheme cannot be used on larger and more complicated claims.” 

The InterResolve Scheme also provides access to an extensive range of arbitration, mediation and other alternative dispute resolution services through agreements with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators’ ADR service provider arm, DRS-CIArb, and mediation specialists ADR Group. These arrangements are available as an option and there is an opt-out under the scheme for those cases that actually need litigation.

InterResolve launched its Bodily Injury Claims Scheme earlier this year, providing claimants with access to independent legal advice on personal injury claims without the need to retain law firms where liability is admitted – a first in the UK.