Insurance firms accused of selling drivers' details

Ever wondered why you keep getting text messages inviting you to claim compensation over a road accident?

They have probably been sent by a firm of personal injury lawyers.

The amount of money paid out in these cases has doubled in 10 years to £14bn.

Insurance companies say this is one of the reasons car insurance has become so expensive, with the average premium rising by 30% in a year.

But a Labour MP claims insurers have been cashing in at the same time, by selling the details of their clients to these "no win, no fee" lawyers.

Police forces and recovery firms do it too. It's not illegal and companies don't have to tell drivers their details have been passed on.

Former justice secretary Jack Straw wants "referral fees" banned.

Newsbeat has been speaking to drivers in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.

Adam Fips, 18, just out of college

Adam pays £2,700 a year to insure his Ford Fiesta, which is worth £1,000.

"That's the best I could find. I just find it weird how the companies work out their prices."

He had a crash in his previous car but hasn't been invited to make a claim via phone or text.

"I haven't had anything come through, so I don't think my insurance company has done that.

"You should have a right to privacy and should be able to trust the insurance company with your details."

Jason Aldridge, 24, personal trainer

Jason recently stopped driving because of the cost of insurance.

"I was paying £125 a month and it was just killing me," he said.

He has made a personal injury claim in the past and said he was encouraged to do so by his insurance firm.

"I was going to college, sitting at a red light, and a lady hit us.

"The insurance people asked my mate if he wanted to make an injury claim, so I jumped on the bandwagon and we all got money out of it.

"It didn't come into my head to claim at first. I think I got the better end of the deal because I'm fine now."

He still gets texts inviting him to make another claim, but deletes them straight away.