The UK has seen a recent spike in interest with regard to the processes used in relation to accident recovery between agencies like the police, towing companies and insurance firms.

    Recently, Jack Straw told a Commons debate that the fees were ‘parasites, eating away at the integrity of the whole motor insurance industry and associated professions’.

    With insurers, brokers, trades unions and even police forces and hospitals able to receive referral fees from claims management companies and law firms, for the names of car accident victims, or to promote their services, the cost of premiums have risen by 30 to 40% per year, even though roads are getting safer.

    Pressure is growing on the British government to halt the controversial selling of the names and addresses of car crash victims, and when Parliament resumes ordinary business there will be more calls for official action.

    With similar systems existing throughout the Irish towing and breakdown industry, various related bodies have already began to look into the processes used here, to ensure that all transactions are transparent and accountable.