Changes To CARS And MAS Assessments

Publish Date: February 25, 2007

Prior to the passage of the Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999, all questions in disputed cases for claims for personal and non-economic damages resulting from motor vehicle accidents were decided by the courts. The Motor Accidents Compensation Act (MACA) changed that with the new procedure being that all medical disputes have since been referred to the Medical Assessment Service (MAS) whilst other disputes are referred to the Claims Assessment Resolution Service (CARS).

CARS is an independent assessment body that attempts to help parties reach resolution in cases where the injured party and the insurance company cannot agree on the amount of compensation to be awarded. All disputed cases must go to CARS before it can go to court. CARS has the power to exempt a case from resolution services, in which case it will issue an exemption certificate to the parties and the parties are free to take this matter to litigation.