Whiplash tariff table
| Duration of injury | From 31 May 2025 | With minor psychological injury | 31 May 2021 to 30 May 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 3 months | £275 | £300 | £240 |
| More than 3, up to 6 months | £565 | £595 | £495 |
| More than 6, up to 9 months | £965 | £1,025 | £840 |
| More than 9, up to 12 months | £1,510 | £1,595 | £1,320 |
| More than 12, up to 15 months | £2,335 | £2,435 | £2,040 |
| More than 15, up to 18 months | £3,445 | £3,550 | £3,005 |
| More than 18, up to 24 months | £4,830 | £4,975 | £4,215 |
Who the tariff applies to
- Drivers and passengers in a motor vehicle injured in a road traffic accident in England or Wales.
- Whiplash injuries (soft tissue injuries to the neck, back or shoulder) lasting no more than two years.
- Accidents on or after 31 May 2021. The higher 2025 amounts apply from 31 May 2025.
It does not cover pedestrians, cyclists or motorcyclists who were not in a vehicle, whiplash lasting more than two years, or accidents outside England and Wales. The Official Injury Claim portal and the £5,000 small claims limit also do not apply to children, protected parties or vulnerable road users.
Whiplash with other injuries
If you also have injuries that are not covered by the tariff, such as a broken wrist, the court values those separately under the Judicial College Guidelines and then adjusts the combined figure so you are not compensated twice for overlapping pain. The Supreme Court set out this approach in Hassam v Rabot (2024).
What is a minor psychological injury?
A psychological injury, such as travel anxiety, diagnosed in your medical report and lasting no longer than the whiplash itself. It moves you into the slightly higher column of the tariff. More serious psychological injuries are valued separately.
How to claim
- Get medical attention and keep records of your symptoms.
- Most claims worth up to £5,000 in injury damages go through the Official Injury Claim portal.
- A medical report confirms the diagnosis and how long symptoms are expected to last.
- Claim financial losses (earnings, travel, treatment) alongside the tariff amount.
The Official Injury Claim portal step by step
- Create a claim on the Official Injury Claim service, with or without a solicitor, giving details of the accident and the other driver's insurer.
- Liability response: The insurer has a set time to admit or deny fault.
- Medical report: You are examined by an independent medical expert sourced through MedCo, who confirms the diagnosis and prognosis.
- Offer: The insurer makes an offer based on the tariff for your injury duration, plus your financial losses.
- Accept, negotiate or go to court: If you cannot agree, the claim can be decided by a judge in the small claims track.
Can I claim whiplash without a solicitor?
Yes. The portal was designed so people can claim without a lawyer. Because legal costs are generally not recoverable in the small claims track, a solicitor's fee may come out of your compensation. Solicitors are more useful when liability is disputed, you have other injuries, or the value may exceed the small claims limit.
Financial losses you can claim on top
- Lost earnings, including overtime and bonuses
- Travel to medical appointments
- Physiotherapy and prescriptions
- Care and help from family or friends
- Vehicle repairs, hire car and damaged belongings (usually handled separately)
Other injuries? Use the UK compensation calculator.