Official Injury Claim (OIC) Portal Guide
The Official Injury Claim (OIC) Portal launched in May 2021 as part of the UK’s Whiplash Reform Programme. It was designed to handle low-value motor accident injury claims directly between claimants and defendant insurers, with reduced legal costs and fixed-tariff valuations for whiplash injuries. The portal handles around 200,000 UK claims per year and is now the standard route for most low-value RTA injury claims. Understanding how it works helps claimants assess whether to use the portal directly or engage a specialist solicitor.
In this guide
- When the OIC Portal Applies
- The Whiplash Tariff System
- What’s Not Covered by the Tariff
- Special Damages in OIC Cases
- The OIC Process Step-by-Step
- Cost Recovery in OIC Cases
- When to Use a Solicitor
- Common OIC Portal Issues
- Common Questions About the OIC Portal
- Related Guides
- Our Partner's Fees Explained
- Check If You Could Claim Compensation For Your Injury
This guide explains how the OIC Portal works, the tariff system, the procedural framework, and the practical considerations for UK road accident injury claimants.
When the OIC Portal Applies
The OIC Portal applies to RTA injury claims where:
- The accident occurred on or after 31 May 2021
- The claimant was a driver or passenger in a motor vehicle on the public highway
- The total injury value is £5,000 or less in general damages
- The claimant is aged 18 or over
- The claimant is not a vulnerable road user (cyclist, pedestrian, motorcyclist)
- The claim is not against an uninsured driver
Excluded Categories
The OIC Portal does NOT apply to:
- Cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists, horse riders, mobility scooter users
- Children under 18
- Protected parties (those lacking mental capacity)
- Claims against uninsured drivers (handled through MIB)
- Claims against untraced drivers
- Foreign-registered vehicle claims
- Cases with non-injury elements above standard small claims limits
Excluded cases follow the traditional MOJ Portal or standard court procedures.
The Whiplash Tariff System
For whiplash injuries within OIC, fixed tariff values apply (revised April 2024):
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 |
Uplift for Exceptional Circumstances
In limited cases, the court may award up to 20 per cent above tariff. Exceptional circumstances include:
- Injury significantly more severe than the duration suggests
- Complications that affected recovery
- Pre-existing conditions worsened
- Specific exceptional impact
The 20 per cent uplift is rarely awarded — courts apply a strict test.
What’s Not Covered by the Tariff
The tariff is for whiplash injuries only. Other injuries within the same claim are valued separately:
- Other neck injuries (not whiplash)
- Back injuries
- Limb injuries
- Brain or head injuries
- Psychological injuries (beyond minor)
- PTSD
These are valued under the Judicial College Guidelines as normal. Where additional injuries take total general damages above £5,000, the case may exit the OIC Portal entirely.
Special Damages in OIC Cases
OIC cases recover special damages on top of the tariff:
- Lost earnings (with supporting evidence)
- Treatment costs (physiotherapy, private GP consultations)
- Medication and prescription costs
- Travel costs to medical appointments
- Replacement of damaged personal property
Where lost earnings or treatment costs are high, the total settlement may substantially exceed the tariff figure.
The OIC Process Step-by-Step
Step 1 — Register the Claim
The claimant (or their solicitor) registers the claim through the OIC website (officialinjuryclaim.org.uk):
- Personal details and contact information
- Accident details
- Vehicle details
- Other driver/insurance details
- Initial injury description
Step 2 — Insurer Response
The defendant insurer has 30 working days to respond:
- Admit liability
- Deny liability
- Make a partial admission
Most cases proceed with liability admitted — making the case purely about quantum.
Step 3 — Medical Evidence
Where injuries continue beyond a few weeks, medical evidence is obtained:
- MedCo medical reports — the standardised reporting system
- Independent medical examination
- Prognosis assessment
- Often phone-based or video assessment
MedCo reports are typically £180-£500 depending on complexity.
Step 4 — Quantum Negotiation
Both parties submit and respond to settlement offers:
- Claimant submits damages calculation
- Insurer responds with offer
- Negotiation continues until settlement or impasse
- Court proceedings if no agreement
Step 5 — Settlement
Most cases settle within 6-12 months. Payment typically follows within 14-21 days of agreement.
Cost Recovery in OIC Cases
A key feature of OIC is reduced cost recovery:
Represented Claimants
For OIC cases handled by solicitors:
- No solicitor costs recoverable from the insurer (small claims rules)
- Solicitor fees come from the claimant’s damages
- Many firms charge reduced fees for OIC cases
- Disbursements (medical reports, court fees) generally recoverable
This makes traditional no win no fee economics challenging for low-value OIC cases.
Unrepresented Claimants
Many claimants now use the OIC Portal without a solicitor — which the system was designed to enable. The portal includes guidance and tools, though navigating the process can still be challenging.
When to Use a Solicitor
Specialist solicitor representation is particularly valuable where:
- The injuries are complex or multiple
- There are likely to be substantial special damages
- Liability is disputed
- The case may exit the OIC Portal due to value
- You have ongoing symptoms beyond 6 months
- There are psychiatric or psychological injuries
- You have pre-existing conditions that complicate the medical position
Many specialist firms run OIC cases despite the limited cost recovery, particularly where additional injuries make the case more substantial.
Common OIC Portal Issues
Insurer Tactics
Defendant insurers may:
- Push for early settlement before full prognosis
- Dispute the duration of injuries
- Challenge causation
- Make low first offers
- Delay procedural responses
MedCo Report Quality
Some MedCo reports have been criticised for being:
- Too brief or generic
- Conducted without proper examination
- Insufficiently detailed about prognosis
- Reluctant to recognise ongoing symptoms
Specialist solicitors can challenge inadequate MedCo reports and obtain additional medical evidence where needed.
Cases Exiting the Portal
Cases that prove more serious than initially thought can exit the portal:
- Where total damages exceed £5,000 general damages
- Where additional injuries emerge
- Where defendant denies liability and the case becomes complex
Exited cases continue under standard procedures with cost recovery available.
Common Questions About the OIC Portal
Do I need a solicitor for an OIC claim?
No — the portal is designed for unrepresented use. However, specialist solicitor representation typically produces better outcomes — better medical evidence, stronger negotiation, identification of all heads of damage, and proper case management. Where injuries are complex or significant special damages are involved, solicitor support is particularly valuable. Many firms run OIC cases at reduced fees.
What is my whiplash worth under the tariff?
It depends entirely on duration and the accident date. For accidents on or after 31 May 2025: recovery within 3 months = £275; within 6 months = £565; within 12 months = £1,510; within 24 months = £4,975 (with minor psychological injury). Lower figures from the original 2021 table apply to earlier accidents. The tariff values are substantially below pre-reform Judicial College figures (which would have valued comparable injuries at perhaps double or more). The reform was specifically designed to reduce whiplash compensation.
Can I claim more than the tariff if my whiplash is severe?
Only in exceptional circumstances. The court can award up to 20 per cent above tariff for exceptional cases — but the test is strict and the uplift is rarely awarded. The tariff is generally treated as the standard valuation regardless of individual severity within the duration bracket.
What if my injury turns out to be more serious than initially thought?
The case can exit the OIC Portal where general damages will exceed £5,000. This is common for cases involving back injuries, head injuries, or psychiatric injuries that develop after initial whiplash assessment. Specialist solicitor representation helps identify when this transition should happen.
How quick is the OIC process?
Designed to be faster than traditional claims. Typical timeline: claim registered, insurer responds within 30 days, medical evidence within 3-6 months, settlement within 6-12 months overall. Cases with complications can take longer. The shorter timescale reflects the lower complexity of typical OIC cases.
What if I am a cyclist or pedestrian hit by a car?
Cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists, and other “vulnerable road users” are excluded from the OIC Portal. These claims continue to be handled through the MOJ Portal or traditional court procedures, with normal cost recovery available. Solicitor representation makes practical sense in these cases.
Related Guides
Whiplash Claims After a Car Accident
Whiplash Reform Programme Explained
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