Do I pay excess if accident is not my fault?




Why you may not want to claim on your insurance after a no-fault accident. Compare our services to those provided in your policy, contact us today.

Get free independent alternative advice by calling Car Call today on the number above and compare our services to that of your insurance company after an accident.

Do I pay excess if accident is not my fault? – typically yes. Your insurer should recover the money from the insurer of the at-fault driver – eventually, then they will pay it back to you.

Your annual no-claims bonus however – is probably gone. Also your insurer is likely to consider you to be a higher risk to insure, so when your insurance renewal comes round – it will probably have gone up.

We and our partners help thousands of drivers every year by managing their claims independently of their insurers.

Our alternative accident assistance service allows you to get your vehicle repaired, a suitable replacement and legal assistance without paying your excess, losing your no-claims bonus and potentially increasing the future cost of your car insurance.

To find out how we can help you, call 02392 484 244 and see how our service compares to a claim on your policy.


Why do I have to pay my excess when I am not at fault?

Your insurer does not generally distinguish between a fault or a no-fault accident claim.

You are likely to have to pay the excess up-front before your vehicle is repaired, that is usually a requirement of your policy.

In the case of a 'non-fault' claim, they should recover this money from the at-fault drivers insurer but this can take some time.


Do I tell my insurer if I use your service instead?

Yes you must, otherwise you could invalidate your policy. All that is needed is a quick call to tell them about your accident – but for ‘information purposes only’ that way they know not to start a claim on your policy.


How is my assistance paid for?

We and our partners will recover the cost of your assistance directly from the at-fault driver’s insurer on your behalf when your assistance is complete.


The benefits

Regardless of the type of cover you have on your insurance policy, our comprehensive accident assistance offers you a number of benefits:

  • You have an alternative to a claim on your insurance policy

  • You don’t pay any excess

  • We deliver a comparable replacement for your vehicle if yours is un-roadworthy and/or being repaired

  • Your replacement will be delivered typically within 3 hours (if your vehicle is un-drivable) of accepting your claim

  • We arrange your repairs at one of our approved accident repair centres

  • Repairs can alternatively be arranged at a garage of your own choice

  • Our partner solicitors will help you with the recovery of your expenses, lost earnings or to make a personal injury claim if you want to

  • Help is available 24/7 for all your claim queries



To find out how we can help 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