Whiplash Payout Scale UK 2026 — Official OIC Tariff Amounts
The amount you receive for a whiplash injury in the UK isn't negotiated. It's set by law.
Since May 2021, compensation for soft tissue whiplash injuries from road traffic accidents has been fixed by the government's Official Injury Claim (OIC) tariff — a table that determines your payout based entirely on how long your symptoms are expected to last, as stated in your independent medical report.
In May 2025, that tariff was updated. If your accident happened on or after 31 May 2025, you're under the new rates — roughly 15% higher across every band. If it happened before that date, the original 2021 figures apply.
This page gives you both tables, the combined psychological injury rates, and what the tariff doesn't cover.
What Is the Whiplash Tariff?
The whiplash tariff was introduced under the Civil Liability Act 2018 and came into force on 31 May 2021 via the Whiplash Injury Regulations 2021. It replaced the previous system where solicitors argued compensation amounts case-by-case using the Judicial College Guidelines.
The government's stated aim was to reduce fraudulent or exaggerated claims and cut motor insurance premiums. In practice, it caps what most claimants receive unless they fall outside the tariff's scope.
The tariff applies specifically to:
- Vehicle occupants (not cyclists, motorcyclists, or pedestrians)
- Soft tissue injuries to the neck, back or shoulder — defined as a sprain, strain, tear, rupture or lesser damage to a muscle, tendon or ligament
- Accidents from 31 May 2021 onwards
- Claimants aged 18 or over
- Injuries lasting up to 24 months
Injuries lasting longer than 24 months fall outside the tariff entirely and are assessed under the Judicial College Guidelines, which typically means significantly higher awards.
UK Whiplash Payout Scale 2026 — Current Tariff (Post-May 2025 Accidents)
These figures apply to accidents occurring on or after 31 May 2025 under the Whiplash Injury (Amendment) Regulations 2025.
| Injury Duration | Compensation |
|---|---|
| Up to 3 months | £275 |
| 3–6 months | £565 |
| 6–9 months | £965 |
| 9–12 months | £1,510 |
| 12–15 months | £2,335 |
| 15–18 months | £3,445 |
| 18–24 months | £4,830 |
| Injury Duration | Compensation |
|---|---|
| Up to 3 months | £300 |
| 3–6 months | £595 |
| 6–9 months | £1,025 |
| 9–12 months | £1,595 |
| 12–15 months | £2,435 |
| 15–18 months | £3,550 |
| 18–24 months | £4,975 |
Original 2021 Tariff (Accidents Before 31 May 2025)
If your accident happened between 31 May 2021 and 30 May 2025, the original tariff applies.
| Injury Duration | Compensation |
|---|---|
| Up to 3 months | £240 |
| 3–6 months | £495 |
| 6–9 months | £840 |
| 9–12 months | £1,320 |
| 12–15 months | £2,040 |
| 15–18 months | £3,005 |
| 18–24 months | £4,215 |
| Injury Duration | Compensation |
|---|---|
| Up to 3 months | £260 |
| 3–6 months | £520 |
| 6–9 months | £895 |
| 9–12 months | £1,390 |
| 12–15 months | £2,125 |
| 15–18 months | £3,100 |
| 18–24 months | £4,345 |
What Can You Claim on Top of the Tariff?
The tariff figures above are general damages only — they cover pain, suffering and loss of amenity. You can claim special damages on top, including:
- Lost earnings during recovery
- Physiotherapy and private medical costs
- Vehicle repair or hire costs
- Travel to medical appointments
- Care provided by family or friends
There's no cap on special damages — they're assessed based on your actual documented losses. See our special damages guide for more.
Can the Tariff Be Exceeded?
Yes, in two situations.
Exceptional circumstances: Courts can award up to 20% above the applicable tariff figure where the standard amount would be manifestly unjust. This is a high threshold — not routinely granted, and you'd need legal representation to argue it.
Injuries outside the tariff: Fractures, dislocations, or other non-soft-tissue injuries are assessed under the Judicial College Guidelines regardless of whether they occurred alongside a whiplash injury. In "mixed injury" cases, the tariff applies to the soft-tissue element while the non-tariff injuries are valued separately.
How Is Your Injury Duration Determined?
A MedCo-registered independent medical expert examines you and produces a medical report that includes a prognosis period — their assessment of how long your symptoms are expected to last. That prognosis period directly determines which tariff band applies.
This is why the medical report stage matters so much. If the prognosis understates your recovery time, your compensation bracket drops with it. Always review your report before approving it.
Scotland — Does the Whiplash Tariff Apply?
No. The Civil Liability Act 2018 and the OIC tariff apply in England and Wales only. If your accident happened in Scotland, compensation is assessed under the Judicial College Guidelines without a fixed tariff. Scottish claimants typically have more flexibility in what they can recover.
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