The FIDReC Non-Injury Motor Accident Scheme ("FIDReC-NIMA Scheme") helps consumers resolve non-injury motor accident disputes with insurance companies in which the amount claimed is below $3,000. The FIDReC-NIMA Scheme covers claims by complainants against an insurance company which is not their own insurer.
Under the FIDReC-NIMA Scheme, non-injury motor accident claims below $3,000 would have to be first mediated and where necessary, adjudicated by the Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre Ltd (FIDReC) before court proceedings could be commenced, unless exempted by the FIDReC pre-action protocol.
FIDReC is an Alternate Dispute Resolution institution. Its role is to administer the FIDReC-NIMA Scheme in accordance with the "Pre-action Protocol for Non-Injury Motor Accident Cases (Appendix C of the State Courts Practice Directions)" issued by the State Courts.
At its inception, the Scheme required all non-injury motor accident claims ("NIMA claims") below S$1,000 to be first mediated and where necessary, adjudicated by FIDReC before court proceedings can be commenced, unless exempted by the FIDReC pre-action protocol.
Some Key Features Of The Scheme
Both the consumer and the insurance company present their own case and legal representation is not allowed. This is in keeping with the current practice of FIDReC where all disputants in all FIDReC cases present their own case. This practice serves to keep costs affordable at FIDReC for all parties.
Before carrying out repairs to the vehicle, the consumer has to first notify the insurer complained against and give the insurer an opportunity to inspect the vehicle during the next two working days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays) following the notification.
Disputants Required To Co-operate Fully With FIDReC
All disputants are required to co-operate and comply fully with FIDReC's processes, instructions and timelines. Disputes which are not settled at mediation after 2 months will proceed to adjudication. The adjudication process takes about 3 months. Disputants should make appropriate arrangements to ensure that they are available to attend all interviews, meetings, mediation sessions and adjudication hearings held by FIDReC.