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Whiplash Calculator (Tariff 2024)

This calculator uses the Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021 tariff — the fixed-amount compensation scheme introduced under the Civil Liability Act 2018. The tariff applies to soft-tissue neck and back injuries lasting up to 24 months, from road traffic accidents involving adult occupants of motor vehicles, where the claim is valued below £5,000 in general damages.

If your injury falls outside any of these conditions — recovery over 24 months, you were a cyclist or pedestrian, you have additional injuries, or you were under 18 — the tariff does not apply and the Judicial College Guidelines produce a higher figure. The calculator detects this and routes accordingly.

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Whiplash compensation checker

Statutory tariff (SI 2025/615) with Judicial College Guidelines routing.

How This Calculator Works

Select your recovery period (the duration of your symptoms). The calculator returns the fixed tariff amount for that period. There is also a small uplift available where the whiplash is accompanied by a minor psychological injury (anxiety, travel anxiety, sleep disturbance). The total payable under the tariff combines these two figures.

The 2024 Whiplash Tariff Bands

The tariff sets fixed amounts based on how long symptoms last:

  • Up to 3 months — lowest tariff band
  • 3 to 6 months — second band
  • 6 to 9 months — third band
  • 9 to 12 months — fourth band
  • 12 to 15 months — fifth band
  • 15 to 18 months — sixth band
  • 18 to 24 months — top tariff band
  • Over 24 months — JC Guidelines apply (much higher)

Each band has a base figure plus a small additional amount for any accompanying minor psychological injury. The figures are set in regulations and updated periodically (most recently 2024).

When the Tariff Doesn’t Apply

Several categories of claimant are exempt from the whiplash tariff and continue to claim under the Judicial College Guidelines, which produce higher figures for the same recovery period:

  • Vulnerable road users — cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists
  • Children under 18 at the time of the accident
  • Claimants with whiplash plus another more serious injury
  • Whiplash lasting more than 24 months
  • Cases where the small claims limit (£5,000) is exceeded

The exemptions matter. A cyclist with 12 months of whiplash gets meaningfully more than a car passenger with the same injury, because the cyclist’s claim is valued under JC Guidelines rather than the tariff.

What This Calculator Doesn’t Capture

The tariff figures are for general damages only. You can still claim special damages on top — lost earnings, treatment costs, medication, travel to medical appointments. The Official Injury Claim (OIC) portal, which handles most tariff claims, accepts these add-ons but the rates are tightly controlled. For claims over the small claims threshold, instructing a solicitor produces a better outcome because legal costs are recoverable.

Next Steps

If your whiplash claim is straightforward (adult car occupant, recovery under 24 months, no other injuries, value under £5,000), the Official Injury Claim portal handles it without needing a solicitor. For anything more complex, instructing a specialist RTA solicitor on a no win no fee basis substantially improves the outcome, and the success fee (capped at 25 per cent of general damages and past losses) is more than offset by the higher settlement.

Common Questions

Why is the tariff so much lower than the old whiplash claims?

The 2018 Civil Liability Act was specifically intended to reduce whiplash compensation as part of a package of insurance reforms. Pre-tariff awards for whiplash often ran into thousands of pounds; the new tariff produces figures of a few hundred to a few thousand depending on duration. The reforms were controversial but are settled law.

What if my whiplash is taking longer than expected?

If symptoms persist past 24 months, the tariff stops applying and the JC Guidelines kick in — substantially higher figures. Specialist solicitors monitor recovery duration carefully because the difference between 23 months (tariff) and 25 months (JC) can be thousands of pounds. Medical records showing ongoing symptoms past the 24-month threshold are critical.

Do I need a solicitor for the OIC portal?

No — the portal is designed to be used without legal representation. However, many claimants find the process confusing, particularly around evidence requirements and disputed liability. Specialist firms offer support for OIC claims at very low cost given the small overall claim value. Above the small claims threshold (£5,000 for RTA), full solicitor representation is almost always worthwhile.

What about anxiety or stress alongside the whiplash?

Minor psychological injuries (travel anxiety, sleep disturbance, generalised anxiety) qualify for a small uplift on the tariff figure — typically £200-£400 depending on the band. More serious psychiatric injury (diagnosed PTSD, adjustment disorder) takes the case out of the tariff entirely because it is no longer “minor psychological injury accompanying whiplash”.

How accurate is this calculator?

The calculator gives a directional estimate based on published guidelines. Actual settlements vary based on the specific facts of each case, the strength of evidence, the prognosis at the point of settlement, contributory negligence findings, and the negotiating position of the insurer. Treat the figure as a starting point — a specialist solicitor will give you a more precise figure after reviewing your evidence.

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Gavin Cooper

Gavin Cooper

Claims Expert, Claims Bible

Gavin writes and reviews Claims Bible's guidance on compensation claims. Claims Bible is a trading style of Forces Compare Ltd, authorised and regulated by the FCA for claims management activities (FRN 785329).

Updated 5 August 2026 · Part of our Personal Injury guide

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