Why do I have to pay insurance excess if I was not at-fault?



This is a common question we get asked by people considering an insurance claim following an accident that was not their fault. For help and advice with any accident claim just call 02392 484 244 and we will be happy to help.

The excess on your policy is simply a method offered by insurers to help keep your annual insurance premiums down.

As it is part of your contract with the insurer, a claim on your policy whether it is a fault or a non-fault accident means that you are normally obliged to pay this amount before repairs to your vehicle can be started.

In the specific case of a non-fault accident, your insurer should be able to recover this amount from the insurer of the at-fault driver at a later date. Unfortunately this also means that you may have to initially find a large amount of money at short notice and then be out-of-pocket for several weeks or months before you are re-embursed.

Another frustrating factor is that your non-fault insurance claim may also result in an increase in your renewal premium.


I cant afford to pay my excess, what can I do?

We and our partners help thousands of people every year make their accident claims independently of their insurers.

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.

Instead of making a claim on your own insurance policy, We and our partners organise your repairs, provide you with a comparable replacement hire vehicle, arrange legal assistance and recover these costs directly from the at-fault driver's insurer on your behalf.

This means that you don't have any excess to pay and your policy renewal costs should not be affected by your claim.

In addition to this, our UK based claims team will take care of all the necessary arrangements for you, which will save you a great deal of time and trouble.

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


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