16th October 2025 |
Reports, Research and Analysis
A new independent research report examines levels of Irish personal injury awards compared to the UK. The objective of undertaking this research was to provide necessary and relevant information to support a review of the Personal Injuries Guidelines as provided for in the government’s new Action Plan for Insurance Reform.
The report, prepared at the request of Minister Burke and undertaken by the Injuries Resolution Board in collaboration with Deloitte, analyses over 12,000 awards and settlements made under the Personal Injuries Guidelines between 2022 and 2024, including assessments by the Injuries Resolution Board and settlements made by three major Irish insurers to provide an analysis of compensation for minor neck and back soft-tissue injuries sustained in road traffic accidents, comparing Ireland with England and Wales.
This report provides evidence that Ireland’s award levels for these categories of injuries remain much greater than those in England and Wales. Over the three-year period, the report shows that under the Personal Injuries Guidelines, the average assessment made by the Injuries Resolution Board was 3.9 times higher than the average in England and Wales, while the average Irish insurer settlement was 4.9 times higher for minor neck or back injuries.
The report demonstrates that the reforms delivered by the government have had a positive impact as intended but that the UK has introduced further reforms which widened the difference in compensation levels between both jurisdictions.
Action Plan on Insurance Reform
On 24 July 2025 the government published its new Action Plan for Insurance Reform which aims to create a fair, more transparent and competitive insurance market that delivers affordable and accessible insurance for consumers and businesses. A priority action within the plan is reform of how the Personal Injuries Guidelines are updated.
Topics:
The Business Environment