How much whiplash compensation will I get under the OIC tariff?

Under the Official Injury Claim (OIC) tariff introduced by the Civil Liability Act 2018 and effective from May 2021, whiplash compensation is fixed by injury duration: 0–3 months: £240; 3–6 months: £495; 6–9 months: £840; 9–12 months: £1,320; 12–15 months: £2,040; 15–18 months: £3,005; 18–24 months: £3,910. A minor psychological injury alongside physical whiplash adds an additional tariff amount. These figures are reviewed annually by the Lord Chancellor.

What is the OIC portal and do I have to use it?

The Official Injury Claim (OIC) portal (officialinjuryclaim.org.uk) is a government-backed online portal for low-value RTA claims. All whiplash claims for accidents from 31 May 2021 where the injury value is within the tariff must start through OIC before instructing a solicitor. Unrepresented claimants can use it directly. Solicitors can also use it on your behalf. The portal manages the claims process, liability decisions, medical report requests via MedCo, and settlement offers.

What is the small claims limit for whiplash claims?

From May 2021, the small claims court limit for RTA personal injury claims was raised from £1,000 to £5,000. This means that for most whiplash claims worth less than £5,000, claimants cannot recover legal costs from the defendant. Claimants either represent themselves through the OIC portal or pay their own solicitor's fees. This reform was specifically designed to deter fraudulent low-value whiplash claims.

Do I need a medical report for a whiplash claim?

Yes — a medical report from a MedCo-accredited medical expert is required for all OIC portal whiplash claims. MedCo is the Medical Reporting Organisation gateway that randomly allocates medical experts to prevent 'doctor shopping'. The report confirms the diagnosis, injury duration and prognosis. It is the basis for the tariff amount. The medical examination is typically in person or by telephone. Insurers pay the fixed medical fee directly to MedCo.

Can I claim whiplash compensation if I was not wearing a seatbelt?

Yes, you can still claim, but your compensation will be reduced by 25% if not wearing a seatbelt would have prevented the injury entirely, or by 15% if the seatbelt would have reduced the severity. This is contributory negligence under the Law Reform (Contributory Negligence) Act 1945. The reduction applies to both the tariff amount and any special damages. You must disclose seatbelt usage in the OIC portal.

What if I was injured but the other driver was uninsured?

If you were injured by an uninsured driver, you can claim through the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) under the Uninsured Drivers Agreement. The MIB is funded by all UK motor insurers and compensates victims of uninsured and untraced drivers. Claims must be reported to the police within 14 days (for uninsured) or as soon as reasonably possible. The same compensation tariffs apply. For hit-and-run accidents (untraced drivers), the MIB pays under the Untraced Drivers Agreement.

Whiplash Compensation Calculator UK 2026

Last updated: March 2026

Whiplash Compensation Estimator — OIC Tariff 2026

Enter your injury duration and financial losses to estimate your RTA whiplash claim value

Injury Duration (prognosis) Based on medical report prognosis

Minor Psychological Injury?

Time Off Work (weeks)

Net Weekly Earnings (£)

Physio / Medical Costs (£)

Other Special Damages (£)

Official Injury Claim (OIC) Whiplash Tariff — 2026

Injury Duration	Whiplash Tariff	+ Minor Psych (same duration)	+ Minor Psych (shorter duration)
0 – 3 months	£240	£345	£260
3 – 6 months	£495	£520	£510
6 – 9 months	£840	£895	£855
9 – 12 months	£1,320	£1,390	£1,340
12 – 15 months	£2,040	£2,125	£2,055
15 – 18 months	£3,005	£3,100	£3,020
18 – 24 months	£3,910	£4,215	£3,950

Source: Civil Liability Act 2018 / The Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021. Tariff amounts reviewed annually by the Lord Chancellor. The above reflects 2021 tariff values — check the OIC portal for the most current rates.

Important: The OIC tariff applies to RTA whiplash claims from accidents on or after 31 May 2021 where the claimant is an adult occupant of a motor vehicle. For accidents before this date, JC Guidelines apply.

The Complete Guide to Whiplash Compensation in the UK 2026

Whiplash is the most common personal injury claim in the UK, with hundreds of thousands of road traffic accident (RTA) claims filed every year. Following widespread concerns about fraudulent and exaggerated claims, the Civil Liability Act 2018 fundamentally reformed how whiplash claims are valued and processed in England and Wales.

The 2021 OIC Portal Reform — What Changed

From 31 May 2021, all low-value RTA personal injury claims — including whiplash — must begin through the Official Injury Claim (OIC) portal at officialinjuryclaim.org.uk. The reforms introduced three major changes:

Fixed tariff for whiplash: General damages for whiplash and minor soft tissue injuries are now set by a statutory tariff based on injury duration — courts cannot award above the tariff for standard whiplash claims.
Raised small claims limit: The small claims limit for RTA personal injury claims was raised to £5,000 (from £1,000), meaning most whiplash claimants cannot recover legal costs from the defendant.
MedCo mandatory medical reports: Medical evidence must come from a MedCo-accredited expert, randomly allocated to prevent conflicts of interest.

The reforms do not apply to: accidents before 31 May 2021; children under 18; those with mental incapacity; claims where the whiplash injury is not the dominant injury (e.g. accompanying fractures); or motorcycle claims (the road user type is currently motor vehicle occupants only).

How the Tariff Works in Practice

The tariff is based solely on the prognosis given in the MedCo medical report. The medical examiner assesses how long the injury is expected to affect the claimant and assigns a duration band. This duration band then determines the tariff figure. Key points:

The tariff figure is the maximum payable for the whiplash element of general damages
Courts can award below the tariff if there are special reasons (exceptional severity within the band)
Courts can award up to twice the tariff if there are exceptional circumstances
Minor psychological injuries alongside whiplash attract an additional tariff "add-on" amount
More serious psychological injuries (PTSD, moderate/severe psychiatric injury) fall outside the tariff — valued under JC Guidelines

Special Damages for RTA Claims

The tariff only covers general damages (pain and suffering). You can separately recover special damages for all quantifiable financial losses caused by the accident:

Loss of earnings: Net earnings lost during recovery. Must be supported by payslips or accounts.
Vehicle repair/replacement: Cost of repairing your vehicle or a replacement car hire while it is being repaired. Insurers scrutinise hire car costs heavily.
Medical and physiotherapy costs: Physiotherapy, pain management, prescribed medication.
Travel costs: Mileage to medical appointments and court at HMRC rates.
Parking and miscellaneous costs: Any out-of-pocket expenses directly caused by the accident.

Special damages in RTA claims can significantly exceed the tariff amount for whiplash — particularly for higher earners or those with significant medical needs. The total claim value is tariff + special damages.

MedCo Medical Reports

Medical evidence is the foundation of an OIC whiplash claim. MedCo (the Medical Reporting Organisation) was established to provide independent medical reports for RTA claims. The process:

A request is submitted through the OIC portal, which randomly allocates a MedCo-accredited medical expert from your area
The examination can be in person, by video or telephone (guidelines specify when each is appropriate)
The expert produces a report including diagnosis, prognosis and causation assessment
The insurer pays the fixed MedCo fee directly (currently £195 for a standard report)
Claimants and insurers can request a further report if the initial prognosis period has passed without full recovery

RTA Protocol and the Claims Timeline

The OIC portal governs a prescribed timeline for RTA claims:

Stage	Step	Timeframe
1	Submit claim notification on OIC portal	Within 3 years of accident
2	Insurer acknowledges & investigates liability	15 business days
3	MedCo medical report arranged	After liability decision
4	Medical report received, injuries confirmed	Varies
5	Settlement offer from insurer	15 business days of report
6	Claimant accepts or negotiates	20 business days
7	Payment made	10 business days of acceptance

Uninsured and Untraced Drivers — MIB Claims

If you were injured by an uninsured driver, the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) compensates you under the Uninsured Drivers Agreement 2015. Key points:

Report the accident to the police — MIB requires a police report or crime reference number for uninsured driver claims
Make the claim within the standard limitation period (3 years from accident)
MIB pays the same compensation as you would receive against an insured driver
For hit-and-run (untraced driver): claim under the Untraced Drivers Agreement 2017 — must be reported to police within 14 days (5 days for property damage). MIB may reduce award by contributory negligence.
MIB claims do not use the OIC portal — use the MIB's own online portal or paper form (MIB4 or MIB6)

Sources & Methodology

Tariff figures from The Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021 (SI 2021/642), made under the Civil Liability Act 2018. Figures correct at March 2026 — reviewed annually by the Lord Chancellor.

Disclaimer: This calculator provides indicative estimates. Actual compensation depends on your specific medical evidence, prognosis and special damages. This is not legal advice — consult a qualified personal injury solicitor or use the OIC portal directly for your claim.

UK Calculator Editorial Team

Our calculators are maintained by legal researchers. Tariff data sourced from the Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021. Learn more about our team.

Whiplash Compensation Calculator