How to avoid paying your car insurance excess when you are not at-fault




You only have to check a few internet forums to see how annoying it is for innocent motorists to have to pay their excess after an accident that was not their fault and then wait months and months before their insurer recovers it from the at-fault driver’s insurer.

As many of them have also discovered, the cost of their insurance can increase significantly after their ‘no-fault’ insurance claim as well.

Does that sound fair? No, we don’t think so either - and nor do our customers.

That’s why they use our independent non-fault claims service instead.


Making your non-fault accident claims independently of your insurer

Thousands of motorists every year receive our independent claims assistance following their non-fault accidents. It enables them to get their vehicles repaired, receive a hire-car and also get the legal help that they may need - all without a claim on their car insurance.

Because we and our partners recover your costs directly from the insurer of the at-fault driver..

Also – as you are not making a claim on your own car insurance policy – you have no excess to pay and your next insurance premium should not increase because of the accident either. That’s more like it.

Remember it does not matter what type of cover you have on your own car insurance policy, because we act independently for you - the following services are available: -

  • 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



To find out more about our 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