When you should and when you should not claim on your car insurance?




Contrary to what your insurance provider may tell you, you do not have to put every accident claim through them.

In-fact – if the accident was not your fault it is likely to be cheaper for you not to.


If the accident is your fault

If the accident was your fault, then sorry folks – but you will have to make a claim on your car insurance. If you made a driving mistake, your insurer should sort everything out for you – after all, this is what we pay them for.

Because they have had to pay out, your insurer is likely to increase your next insurance premium – even if you have a protected No Claims Bonus.


If the accident was not your fault

If the accident was not your fault, you now have 2 options. Make a claim on your car insurance, which is likely to cost you money or make your non-fault accident claim independently of your insurer.

Why a non-fault claim on your car insurance can cost you money: -

  • You will probably have to pay your excess before your vehicle can be repaired

  • The cost of your insurance is likely to increase as a result of your non-fault claim



How thousands of people every year save money by using our independent non-fault claims service: -

  • There is an alternative to a claim on your own car insurance policy

  • Your insurance premium should not increase due to your accident – because you don’t claim

  • You do not have to pay any excess or wait months for a refund from your insurer



Compare the accident assistance we provide to your own insurance provider

Not only will you probably save money by using our service, the assistance we provide to all our customers is often better than that offered by their own insurer.

We and our partners help thousands of motorists every year get the assistance they need after a road traffic accident.

You will get your vehicle repaired at one of our network of approved Accident Repair Centres. We will also deliver a comparable replacement hire vehicle to you if yours is unroadworthy, so you have a quality vehicle to use instead of an old garage ‘courtesy’ car.

In addition to organising your vehicle repairs and replacement vehicle, we also provide you with legal expenses cover to help you recover the costs of any uninsured losses. These could include the recovery accident expenses, lost earnings, travel costs, hire-vehicle costs or personal injury claim costs.

All costs and charges are recovered directly from the insurer of the person at-fault for the accident.

It does not matter what type of insurance cover you have on your own car insurance policy, because we act independently of your insurer, all our customers are entitled to the following services: -

  • We will provide a comparable replacement for your damaged vehicle

  • The replacement vehicle 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

  • Impartial help and advice from our 24/7 help line



For assistance and advice on any accident claim, 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