Accident Management Companies

Burnsy2023 · 17 Mar 2014 at 16:21

So I think we can all agree that this industry adds a fair bit of cost to our insurance premiums. They seem to be a symptom of the fact insurance companies often have pretty poor customer service and that's where they've found their customer base, but make a small fortune for themselves as a result.

So what would you say if you crashed and got given a pack from an accident management company given to you by the attending Police Officer? Do you think that's ethical?

Windle · 17 Mar 2014 at 16:22

I'd want to know why the police were handing out/promoting private businesses!

Burnsy2023 · 17 Mar 2014 at 16:24

Windle said:
I'd want to know why the police were handing out/promoting private businesses!

Probably because they get a fee from the referrals.

Malc · 17 Mar 2014 at 16:30

Windle said:
I'd want to know why the police were handing out/promoting private businesses!

This. IMO, I don't think the Police should promote private causes. They should be impartial.

However the discussion of whether or not it's ethical to promote an industry that ultimately costs everybody more, then my opinion is that it's the insurance companies' failing. Afterall one person's failure is another person's opportunity. If the accident management companies offer a service that is better than the alternative, who's to say that this is unethical?

Hyburnate · 17 Mar 2014 at 16:45

Burnsy2023 said:
Probably because they get a fee from the referrals.

Then they should donate it to charity, much like many Dr's do after signing off someones death.

Minstadave · 17 Mar 2014 at 16:49

Hyburnate said:
Much like many Dr's do after signing off someones death.

Not that many do. But they are taking on a significant responsibility by completing the cremation paperwork.

Police handing out accident management paperwork is unethical. As is selling crash victims details to ambulance chasers.

Burnsy2023 · 17 Mar 2014 at 16:50

Hyburnate said:
Then they should donate it to charity, much like many Dr's do after signing off someones death.

TBH the Police need the money, I'm just not sure they should be doing it in the first place. IMO, the Police should not be advertising or offering services from private companies - especially in this context.

Hades · 17 Mar 2014 at 16:59

I would find it unacceptable and a conflict of interest.

[TW]Fox · 17 Mar 2014 at 17:01

ANOTHER cop thread?! Crikey Burnsey

I would think it's unethical, yes. The police should not be involved in your choice of firm to deal with the accident.

Nathan · 17 Mar 2014 at 17:04

You really shouldn't be a special, you sound like management material

As a serving officer, unethical IMO. A little naughty, what's next, e cigg ads on patrol cars?

Burnsy2023 · 17 Mar 2014 at 17:07

Nathan said:
You really shouldn't be a special, you sound like management material

Management have already done it :/

Nathan said:
As a serving officer, unethical IMO. A little naughty, what's next, e cigg ads on patrol cars?

Don't jest, I think I heard about at least one force looking at getting companies to sponsor their patrol cars.

OhEsEcks · 17 Mar 2014 at 17:17

Burnsy2023 said:
Don't jest, I think I heard about at least one force looking at getting companies to sponsor their patrol cars.

Nottinghamshire.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-25887803

Nathan · 17 Mar 2014 at 17:19

I'm talking Pips or crowns, CI of uniform or similar.

Unbelievable. I ll be shocked if that took off. I have always communicated directly with the third party insurance in reference to the OP. Accident management companies are not good.

Burnsy2023 · 17 Mar 2014 at 17:23

Nathan said:
I'm talking Pips or crowns, CI of uniform or similar.

Unbelievable. I ll be shocked if that took off. I have always communicated directly with the third party insurance in reference to the OP. Accident management companies are not good.

The policy is that we have to give out a info pack at every RTC we attend from an accident management company. I googled for the name of the company but funny enough, they're keeping this pretty Q.

Muffin` · 17 Mar 2014 at 17:43

How many RTA's are actually attended by the Police? What's the percentage?

Burnsy2023 · 17 Mar 2014 at 17:45

Muffin` said:
How many RTA's are actually attended by the Police? What's the percentage?

Very difficult to say. Police are supposed to attend all injury RTCs but that assumes they are reported. Non-injury RTCs are dependent on how bad and whether there's an obstruction, how many people have seen it and whether there is a free unit to attend.

Tinders · 17 Mar 2014 at 17:53

My experience of the majority of the AMC's based in the west midlands, is that they are as bent a 10 bob note, so i would not expect the Police to be involved with them.

Minstadave · 17 Mar 2014 at 17:58

It's embarrassing to see the police force being pimped out to third parties. Why not get them slapping on private parking tickets for parking eye? Or delivering dominos on their beat?

MrMoonX · 17 Mar 2014 at 18:02

Minstadave said:
It's embarrassing to see the police force being pimped out to third parties. Why not get them slapping on private parking tickets for parking eye? Or delivering dominos on their beat?

That's exactly where it's headed

Rich_L · 17 Mar 2014 at 18:05

Seems a major conflict of interest as that officer could be asked to provide a report/statement to address liability in a civil claim.