Whiplash compensation tariff — official figures
The government-set tariff for whiplash and minor soft tissue injury claims — by injury type and recovery period. Always verify current values against the Official Injury Claim tariff schedule.
For accidents on or after 31 May 2025, whiplash compensation ranges from £275 (symptoms up to 3 months) to £4,830 (symptoms 18–24 months). The figure is not determined by the accident — it is determined by the prognosis period recorded in the independent medical report. The full tariff tables are below. For a full overview of what a whiplash claim involves — the process, timescales and what to expect — see the whiplash claim guide.
Under the Official Injury Claim process, compensation for whiplash and minor soft tissue injuries is calculated from a fixed government tariff. The tariff value is determined by two things: the type of injury recorded in your medical report, and the prognosis period — how long your symptoms were expected to last.
The figures below are the tariff amounts for pain, suffering and loss of amenity. They do not include financial losses, which are assessed separately and sit on top of these values. These figures are provided as general guidance only — not legal advice — and are subject to change. Always verify current values against the Official Injury Claim tariff schedule.
Figures last verified: March 2026. The tariff was uprated on 31 May 2025 under the Whiplash Injury (Amendment) Regulations 2025.
Two tariff schedules are currently in use
The tariff that applies to your claim depends on when your accident occurred. Accidents before 31 May 2025 use the original 2021 figures. Accidents on or after 31 May 2025 use the updated figures, which are approximately 15% higher across all bands.
Unsure which applies to your situation, or want to understand the edge cases? Which whiplash tariff applies to your claim →
The prognosis period in your medical report directly determines which band applies. If your report states a shorter recovery period than you actually experienced, the tariff value — and therefore the settlement offer — will be lower than it should be. Review your report carefully before approving it.
| Prognosis period | Tariff value |
|---|---|
| Not more than 3 months | £275 |
| More than 3 months, not more than 6 months | £565 |
| More than 6 months, not more than 9 months | £965 |
| More than 9 months, not more than 12 months | £1,510 |
| More than 12 months, not more than 15 months | £2,335 |
| More than 15 months, not more than 18 months | £3,445 |
| More than 18 months, not more than 24 months | £4,830 |
| Prognosis period | Tariff value |
|---|---|
| Not more than 3 months | £240 |
| More than 3 months, not more than 6 months | £495 |
| More than 6 months, not more than 9 months | £840 |
| More than 9 months, not more than 12 months | £1,320 |
| More than 12 months, not more than 15 months | £2,040 |
| More than 15 months, not more than 18 months | £3,005 |
| More than 18 months, not more than 24 months | £4,215 |
Where psychological injury alongside whiplash is recorded by the medical examiner, the combined tariff band applies. The figures are shown below.
| Prognosis period | Tariff value |
|---|---|
| Not more than 3 months | £300 |
| More than 3 months, not more than 6 months | £595 |
| More than 6 months, not more than 9 months | £1,025 |
| More than 9 months, not more than 12 months | £1,595 |
| More than 12 months, not more than 15 months | £2,435 |
| More than 15 months, not more than 18 months | £3,550 |
| More than 18 months, not more than 24 months | £4,975 |
| Prognosis period | Tariff value |
|---|---|
| Not more than 3 months | £260 |
| More than 3 months, not more than 6 months | £520 |
| More than 6 months, not more than 9 months | £895 |
| More than 9 months, not more than 12 months | £1,390 |
| More than 12 months, not more than 15 months | £2,125 |
| More than 15 months, not more than 18 months | £3,100 |
| More than 18 months, not more than 24 months | £4,345 |
Minor psychological injury does not have its own separate tariff.
Where minor psychological injury arises on the same occasion as a whiplash injury, it is included within a higher combined tariff band — the figures shown in the second table above. The tariff produces a single combined figure; there is no base amount with a psychological injury addition on top. A standalone psychological injury — without an accompanying whiplash injury — falls outside this tariff and outside the OIC portal entirely. It should also be noted that shock or travel anxiety on its own — without a recognised psychiatric injury or accompanying physical injury — is not typically valued as a compensable injury within the tariff or the Judicial College Guidelines.
What the tariff doesn't cover
The tariff figures above compensate for pain, suffering and loss of amenity only. They do not include financial losses caused by the accident — these are assessed separately as special damages and are not capped by the tariff.
Financial losses that may be recoverable in addition to the tariff include:
- Lost earnings — including self-employed income — if the accident prevented you from working
- Travel costs to and from medical appointments
- Prescription costs directly related to the injury
- Physiotherapy or other treatment not covered by the NHS
- Other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses caused by the accident
These must be supported by evidence where possible — receipts, payslips, employer letters. Without evidence, financial loss claims are harder to substantiate.
What you receive vs what the claim is worth
The tariff sets the value of the claim. How the claim is handled can affect how much of that value you receive. What you actually receive after deductions is often lower than the tariff figure alone.
If you manage the claim yourself through the OIC portal, the settlement figure is paid directly to you. No solicitor fees are deducted from that amount.
To see the full compensation breakdown including deductions for your specific prognosis period and claim route, use the tariff calculator.
If you choose to use a solicitor, their fees are typically taken from the compensation recovered. This means the amount you receive may be lower than the headline settlement figure.
Why the prognosis period matters so much
The prognosis period is the medical examiner's assessment of how long your symptoms were expected to last. It is recorded in your medical report and determines which tariff band applies to your claim.
A difference of one band — for example, between "up to 3 months" and "3–6 months" for whiplash only — is the difference between £275 and £565. Between "6–9 months" and "9–12 months" it is the difference between £965 and £1,510. For accidents before 31 May 2025, the equivalent figures are £240/£495 and £840/£1,320.
This is why reviewing your draft medical report carefully — before approving it — is one of the most important steps in the process. If the prognosis period is shorter than your actual experience, the offer you receive will reflect that.
How much is 6 months whiplash compensation?
A prognosis of more than 3 months and up to 6 months falls within the 3–6 month tariff band. For accidents on or after 31 May 2025, that band is worth £565. For accidents before that date, the figure is £495.
If the prognosis period is recorded as more than 6 months — even slightly — the claim moves into the 6–9 month band, which is worth £965 under the current tariff. The exact period in the medical report determines the band — a few weeks either side of a boundary can make a material difference to the settlement figure.
Financial losses — lost earnings, physiotherapy costs, travel — are added on top of the tariff figure and are not capped.
For a complete guide to whiplash claims — what the injury is, who can claim, how the tariff is applied, and what every calculator gets wrong — see the dedicated guide.
Last reviewed: 6 April 2026
ClaimTalk provides general guidance only. Not legal advice. Not affiliated with the Official Injury Claim portal or any government body.
ClaimTalk cannot respond to questions about individual claims. If you need advice specific to your situation, a regulated solicitor is the appropriate route.