'It's OK to say sorry' after a motor accident

Norwich Union claimed that not saying sorry after an accident encouraged people to exaggerate damages and injuries, at a cost to UK motorists of at least £28 million a year.

The insurer added that while almost nine out of ten (88%) of motorists felt they wanted to say sorry following an accident, two out of five (38%) thought that doing so would adversely affect their own insurance claim, or prevent them successfully claiming from the other party involved.

Norwich Union said it was launching a campaign to reassure motorists that simply saying sorry was simply "an expression of regret, not an admission of guilt."

The campaign will also encourage those suffering from what appear to be minor injuries following an accident, to seek immediate help in order to avoid potential health problems in the future.

'Escalatory affect'

Dominic Clayden, Norwich Union's director of technical claims said: "Not saying sorry has two effects. It encourages some people to exaggerate minor damages or injuries and prevents others from correctly identifying the extent of their injuries.

"Both have an escalatory affect on the cost of claims that are passed on to motorists in the form of increased premiums and excesses."

A study involving over 1,000 motorists revealed that 31% would be likely to exaggerate injuries or vehicle damage if the other party involved in an accident was angry or accusatory. At the same time, 40% said they would be less likely to do this if the other driver was friendly, showed sympathy and said sorry."

Dr David Lewis, a leading UK psychologist, commented: "Tension and stress in the immediate aftermath of a minor accident can run very high.

"In these moments under most circumstances it is human nature to show empathy and say sorry. But, when it comes to car accidents, many of us don't feel we are able to do this."

Urban myth

A third of motorists said they had been told by family, friends or their insurance companies, not to say sorry.

Dominic Clayden said: "Unfortunately this urban myth makes people think they cannot say sorry after a road accident without risking their insurance claim or laying themselves open to being held completely responsible.

"Furthermore, our research shows that it is under tense circumstances such as these that those involved in accidents begin to feel they must exaggerate their injuries to ensure they are seen as the aggrieved party or punish the other party for what they see as unreasonable behaviour."

Norwich Union's campaign is also seeking to raise awareness of the dangers of ignoring non life threatening injuries, such as muscle strain, which can be caused by motor accidents.

Mr Clayden told us: "Where an injury is sustained it is vital that it is looked at and treated immediately. Not to do so can extend recovery time and increase the impact on their day-to-day life."