Accidentcare Group PLC and National Car Rental stated that they were particularly encouraged by the House of Lords Judgment in the DIMOND v. LOVELL case.  The two companies have worked tirelessly in their efforts to make the ABI (Association of British Insurers) initiative a success.  This scheme enables insurers to gain control over third party claims and the associated costs and both Accidentcare and National confirmed that today's decision in no way affected their business partnership.

John Leigh, Senior Vice President of National Car Rental, commented further:

 "We have a long standing relationship with Accidentcare and were in no doubt when we appointed their Lumacare division to administer the customer service/management side of the ABI initiative on our behalf.  We felt that as well as providing car rental at insurance industry approved costs, through Lumacare, we could also bring a high degree of customer care to drivers involved in a non-fault accident.  As the scheme goes from strength to strength, our decision in this respect has been fully vindicated.  With today's judgement, I am confident that the scheme will be even more successful." 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Roy Kent, Chairman of Accidentcare Group PLC, made a statement to clarify the Group's position to the public and shareholders.  He commented as follows:

 "Accidentcare is absolutely unique as it provides an annual membership scheme to the motoring public, providing services and dealing with all types of motor insurance claims, whether the Accidentcare member is at fault or not.  Our services include underwritten car hire through National Car Rental, the U.K's largest car rental company."

 "The outcome of the Dimond v. Lovell case has absolutely no bearing on our business as we are not, nor have we ever been, involved in credit hire.  It is exactly because of our non involvement in credit hire that Lumacare, the Accidentcare insurer services division, was appointed to manage the Association of British Insurers own car hire scheme for the innocent motorist.  In fact, the judgement refers to this scheme, suggesting that this will ultimately be the most appropriate facility for the future of the insurance industry."

For further information:

Accidentcare Group PLC

Roy Kent, Chairman & Managing Director    020 8 200 9999

College Hill

Michael Padley/Nicholas Nelson     020 7 457 2020

Notes to Editors:

Accidentcare offers 24 hour total accident management and claims assistance.  The group provides a unique service to members, who in the event of an accident receive free car hire and full claims assistance, irrespective of fault and also manages the credit hire scheme on behalf of the Association of British Insurers.