Whiplash Compensation Amounts
Whiplash compensation in the UK works through two distinct systems. For most road traffic accident soft-tissue neck injuries since 31 May 2021, the Whiplash Injury Regulations set a fixed tariff that is much lower than the equivalent Judicial College Guidelines bracket. For cases outside the tariff — motorcyclists, cyclists, pedestrians, children, claims over the threshold, and any injury lasting more than two years — the standard JC valuation applies. Understanding which system covers your case is essential before accepting any offer.
In this guide
- The 2021 Whiplash Tariff
- Tariff Uplift — Up to 20 Per Cent
- When the Tariff Does NOT Apply
- JC Brackets for Non-Tariff Whiplash Cases
- Special Damages Alongside Whiplash
- The OIC Portal Process
- When to Get a Solicitor for a Whiplash Claim
- The Whiplash Reform — Why It Matters
- Common Questions About Whiplash Compensation
- Related Guides
- Our Partner's Fees Explained
- Check If You Could Claim Compensation For Your Injury
This guide sets out the current tariff figures, explains when each system applies, and shows the special damages you can claim alongside.
The 2021 Whiplash Tariff
The Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021 set fixed compensation amounts for soft-tissue neck injuries (whiplash) caused by road traffic accidents. The tariff applies only where:
- The injury was caused by a road traffic accident
- The claimant was a driver or passenger in a vehicle covered by the OIC portal (typically cars, vans, and similar vehicles)
- The injury is to the soft tissues of the neck (no fracture or disc damage)
- Recovery is (or is expected to be) within 2 years
Accidents on or after 31 May 2025 (current table)
The Whiplash Injury (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (SI 2025/615) increased the tariff by roughly 15% for causes of action accruing on or after 31 May 2025:
| Duration of symptoms | Whiplash only | With minor psychological injury |
|---|---|---|
| Not more than 3 months | £275 | £300 |
| 3–6 months | £565 | £595 |
| 6–9 months | £965 | £1,025 |
| 9–12 months | £1,510 | £1,595 |
| 12–15 months | £2,335 | £2,435 |
| 15–18 months | £3,445 | £3,550 |
| 18–24 months | £4,830 | £4,975 |
Accidents before 31 May 2025
The original 2021 figures still apply where the accident happened before 31 May 2025:
| Duration of symptoms | Whiplash only | With minor psychological injury |
|---|---|---|
| Not more than 3 months | £240 | £260 |
| 3–6 months | £495 | £520 |
| 6–9 months | £840 | £895 |
| 9–12 months | £1,320 | £1,390 |
| 12–15 months | £2,040 | £2,125 |
| 15–18 months | £3,005 | £3,100 |
| 18–24 months | £4,215 | £4,345 |
Tariff Uplift — Up to 20 Per Cent
The tariff allows a discretionary uplift of up to 20 per cent in exceptional circumstances — for example, where the claimant’s symptoms are exceptionally severe or where the impact on daily life is particularly significant. In practice, uplifts above 5-10 per cent are rare.
When the Tariff Does NOT Apply
The tariff was deliberately drawn narrowly. It does not apply to:
Vulnerable Road Users
Motorcyclists, cyclists, pedestrians, and horse riders are explicitly excluded from the OIC portal and the whiplash tariff. Their cases are valued under the JC Minor neck brackets — typically £2,500 to £9,000 for similar recovery periods. The difference can be substantial: a cyclist with the same 12-month neck injury that would attract £1,320 under the tariff might attract £4,000 to £8,000 under JC valuation.
Children Under 18
Child claimants are explicitly excluded from the tariff. Their cases are valued under the JC Guidelines with appropriate adjustments for age and impact.
Protected Parties
Claimants who lack mental capacity are excluded.
Injuries Other Than Soft-Tissue
Where the injury includes a fracture, disc herniation, or other structural damage, the tariff does not apply. The case is valued under the standard JC Neck brackets — see our neck injury compensation amounts guide.
Symptoms Lasting Over 2 Years
Where recovery extends beyond 2 years, the case moves out of the tariff. Chronic post-whiplash symptoms are valued under the JC Moderate or Severe neck brackets — typically £15,000 to £45,000+ depending on severity.
Non-RTA Whiplash
Whiplash-type injuries from non-road accidents (workplace, sports, manual handling, slips, assaults) are not covered by the tariff. The standard JC Minor neck brackets apply.
JC Brackets for Non-Tariff Whiplash Cases
Where the tariff does not apply, the JC Minor neck brackets typically govern:
- Recovery within 3 months — typically up to £2,500
- Recovery within 3 months to 1 year — typically £2,500 to £4,500
- Recovery within 1 to 2 years — typically £4,500 to £9,000
For cases moving above the Minor brackets:
- Moderate (iii) — recovery beyond 2 years, ongoing nuisance symptoms — typically £9,000 to £15,000
- Moderate (ii) — chronic ongoing symptoms with significant impact — typically £15,000 to £30,000
- Moderate (i) — severe ongoing symptoms with surgery sometimes needed — typically £30,000 to £45,000
See our neck injury compensation amounts guide for the full bracket structure.
Special Damages Alongside Whiplash
Both tariff and non-tariff whiplash claims can include special damages. The main heads:
- Lost earnings — full recovery of wages lost during time off work
- Medical treatment costs — private physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic where NHS waiting times are excessive
- Travel costs — taxi fares, parking, mileage to appointments
- Vehicle hire — where you need a replacement during repairs
- Care provided by family — at non-commercial rates, where the injury significantly affected daily activities
Special damages are NOT subject to the whiplash tariff — they are recovered in full alongside the tariff award. A claimant with a 12-month tariff award of £1,320 plus £3,500 in lost earnings and £800 in private physiotherapy recovers £5,620 total. The tariff covers only the pain and suffering element.
The OIC Portal Process
Tariff whiplash claims are usually run through the Official Injury Claim (OIC) portal — an online system designed for direct use by claimants. The process:
- Claimant registers on OIC and provides basic accident details
- Defendant insurer is notified and admits or denies liability within set deadlines
- MedCo-arranged medical assessment is completed
- The tariff figure is applied based on the medical evidence
- Settlement is negotiated and paid
The OIC was designed to handle claims without solicitor representation, though many claimants still use solicitors — particularly for cases that may not be properly suited to the tariff (multiple injuries, disputed prognosis, contributory negligence).
When to Get a Solicitor for a Whiplash Claim
For pure soft-tissue whiplash cases with clear liability and tariff value under £1,000, many claimants successfully use the OIC portal without representation. For everything else, a specialist solicitor is strongly recommended:
- Cases involving multiple injuries (where tariff may not properly capture the harm)
- Cases with disputed liability
- Cases where the claimant is a vulnerable road user (motorcyclist, cyclist, pedestrian) and excluded from the tariff
- Cases with contested medical prognosis
- Cases involving children or protected parties
- Cases with significant special damages
- Cases where the symptoms are persisting beyond initial expectations
See our how no win no fee works guide for the funding position.
The Whiplash Reform — Why It Matters
The 2021 reforms were designed to reduce the volume of “minor whiplash” claims that insurers argued were driving up motor insurance premiums. The reforms:
- Set tariff figures well below the previous JC Minor neck brackets
- Raised the small claims limit for RTA claims to £5,000 general damages
- Required medical evidence through MedCo for all soft-tissue whiplash cases
- Limited recovery of claimant solicitors’ costs for tariff cases
The practical effect: claimants in tariff cases get less compensation, and recovering legal costs is harder. Vulnerable road user cases (motorcyclists, cyclists, pedestrians) remain on the old system because they were not covered by the reforms — making their cases substantially more valuable per equivalent injury.
Common Questions About Whiplash Compensation
I had whiplash but my back also hurts. Does the tariff cover both?
The tariff applies only to soft-tissue neck injuries. Back injuries are valued separately under the JC Back brackets. For combined neck-and-back cases, the tariff figure applies to the neck element only, and the back injury is added under JC valuation. The combined valuation typically exceeds the tariff alone substantially. See our back injury compensation amounts guide.
I am a cyclist with whiplash from a car hitting me. Does the tariff apply?
No. Cyclists are explicitly excluded from the OIC portal and the whiplash tariff. Your case is valued under the JC Minor neck brackets — typically £2,500 to £9,000 for the same recovery periods that would attract £495 to £4,215 under the tariff. The difference is substantial and is why specialist cycling claim solicitors achieve significantly better outcomes for cyclists than the tariff would produce. See our cycling accident claims guide.
My whiplash symptoms have lasted over 2 years. What does that mean for my claim?
The case moves out of the tariff entirely. Chronic post-whiplash symptoms (sometimes called late whiplash syndrome) are valued under the JC Moderate brackets — typically £9,000 to £30,000+ depending on severity and impact. If your claim was originally filed as a tariff case but symptoms persisted, your solicitor can argue for re-valuation outside the tariff. The medical evidence is decisive — a specialist medico-legal report documenting chronic symptoms is essential.
The insurer offered to settle for the tariff amount before I had a medical assessment. Should I accept?
Almost certainly not. Pre-medical assessment offers are deliberately low because the insurer is taking advantage of you not yet knowing your prognosis. Wait for proper medical assessment. If your symptoms turn out to be more serious or longer-lasting, your settlement should reflect that. Once accepted, settlements cannot be reopened. See our should I accept the first compensation offer? guide.
Does the tariff apply if I was a passenger in a taxi?
Taxi passenger cases are covered by the standard motor insurance framework — and the tariff applies to soft-tissue neck injury claims from taxi accidents in the same way as for other passenger cases. For other injuries in the same accident, JC valuation applies.
How long does a whiplash claim take?
Most OIC portal whiplash claims settle within 6 to 12 months. Cases with complications, disputed prognosis, or multiple injuries can take 12 to 24 months. Cases that move out of the tariff because of persistent symptoms can take 18 months to 3 years. See our how long does a claim take guide.
Related Guides
Compensation by Injury Type | UK Payout Amounts
Neck Injury Compensation Amounts
Back Injury Compensation Amounts
Should I Accept the First Compensation Offer?
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