Can I claim my car insurance excess back if I am not at-fault?




You can and should get any excess you had to pay out, recovered from the at-fault driver’s insurer.

However, depending on the complexity of your claim, this can take anything from a couple of months to several months to be returned. We know of drivers sometimes having to wait over a year to get their excess back.


I’m not sure I can wait that long - do I have to claim on my car insurance?

It’s up to you. If your policy provides the legal cover and the assistance you require and you are not concerned about the effect your claim may have on your future insurance costs – you may choose to claim on you own insurance policy.

However using our alternative claims assistance allows you to get your vehicle repaired, a suitable replacement and legal assistance all without potentially losing your no-claims bonus and increasing the future cost of your car insurance.

Using our independent claims service has 3 main advantages: -

  • You get comprehensive accident assistance and without a claim on your own car insurance policy

  • You do not have to pay any excess at all

  • Your insurer should not increase the future cost of your insurance because you are not making a claim on your policy



So, if you haven’t started your car insurance claim yet, stop – and save yourself some money by calling us now on 02392 484 244.


Our accident assistance gives you an alternative to a claim on your own insuarance

Car Call and our partners help thousands of motorists every year without the disadvantages of a claim on their own car insurance.

Our service provides everything they need and because all costs and charges are recovered directly from the insurer of the person at-fault.

Basically we arrange your vehicle repairs and replacement hire-vehicle, but we also provide legal assistance with the recovery of accident expenses such as - lost earnings, travel costs, hire-vehicle costs or the cost of a compensation claim.

As we are completely independent of all insurers, the type of insurance cover you have make no difference to the services we provide.

All our customers are entitled to the following services: -

  • We will provide you with a comparable replacement hire-car

  • The replacement hire-car is delivered typically within 3 hours (if your vehicle is un-drivable) of accepting your claim

  • Repairs are arranged at one of our approved accident repair centres or at a repairer of your own choice

  • Your vehicle repairs are fully guaranteed and are carried out according to manufacturer specifications

  • Legal assistance is arranged for accident related issues such as the recovery of expenses, lost earnings or claims for compensation

  • Costs and charges are recovered directly from the at-fault driver’s insurer on your behalf

  • Expert advice from our 24/7 help line



To find out more about our non-fault claims service, call us on 02392 484 244 and we will be happy to help.

Any policyholder can use this service, and it is your legal right to choose who repairs your vehicle. All assistance offered and information given on this page is provided by Car Call and its partners , no association or affiliation to any particular insurer is intended in any way, and your statutory rights are unaffected.


No need to claim on your insurance

Anyone who has been involved in a road accident has the right to choose who repairs their vehicle. If you were responsible for the accident you were involved in, the company that insures your vehicle would normally deal with your accident claim.

However if you were not at-fault for the accident, you can choose to either claim on your own insurance policy or make a claim independently of your insurer. To find out more call 02392 484 244 and we will be happy to help.

We and our partners help thousands of people make independent accident claims. Our service enables motorists to get the help and assistance they need to resolve their accident related issues, with the costs being recovered directly from the at-fault driver on your behalf.

No excess to pay

Unfortunately even if an accident was not your fault, your insurer will almost certainly require you to pay your excess before any repair is started on your car.

This money should of course be recovered by an insurer at a later date, but with our service - you do not have to pay it at all.

By using our independent claims service, you are not making a claim on your insurance policy and so you will have no excess to pay.

Receive a comparable replacement hire vehicle

Not all insurance policies will include a replacement hire-car for you to use if yours is damaged and unroadworthy. In fact it is typically an 'optional extra' on your policy.

Other policies may offer a 'courtesy car' but this is often just a 'basic' saloon or hatchback which may not be suitable for your needs.

Car Call and its partners will provide a comparable replacement vehicle as part of our service. This means we will endeavour to supply a hire-vehicle that similar to your own in terms of its type, make and engine size.

So whether you drive a small hatchback or a prestige sports car, we will look to provide a similar hire-vehicle that suits your needs.

Manufacturer approved vehicle repairs

If you have been involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to have to worry about is the quality of the repairs to your car. We have a UK wide network of partner approved Accident Repair Centres available to all of our customers.

Many of our accident repair centres are have manufacturer approvals for specific brands, so if you require a manufacturer approved repair centre, simply tell your personal claim handler and they will ensure your vehicle goes to an approved repairer.

Want you vehicle repaired by a specific garage? No problem, we can alternatively use a repairer that you specify.

Legal Assistance

Our partner solicitors provide legal assistance as part of our service. They specialise in motor claims related issues, so you can be assured of the best possible advice and assistance.

They issues they can assist you with include:

  • Recovery of the cost of the replacement hire-vehicle
  • Recovery of the cost of uplifting your damaged vehicle
  • Recovery of all repair costs
  • Recovery of the cost of damaged of personal items
  • Seeking financial compensation for an injury