I can’t pay my excess after an accident




It only takes a quick look around the internet forums to read about motorists complaining about having to pay their excess and/or increased insurance costs, thanks to a careless driver damaging their car.

We agree that this is not a fair situation - that is why thousands of people every year use our independent non-fault claims service instead of a claim on their car insurance.

By helping people make their claims independently of their insurers, it means you do not need to make a claim on your own insurance policy or pay your excess at all.

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.

We and our partners simply arrange all the assistance you need and recover the all the costs directly from the at-fault driver’s insurer.

Call 02392 484 244 and speak to an experienced advisor to see how we can help.


Do I have to tell my insurer about the accident?

We will contact your insurer and tell them you have had an accident, but only "for information purposes only".

This ensures that you have fulfilled the terms of your insurance policy correctly and it also makes it clear that they are not providing services for you, so a claim is not registered on your policy.


Everything you need…

We have been doing this for quite a while now, which means we can arrange everything you need to resolve your accident issues, promptly and efficiently.

The benefits of our service include: -

  • No excess to pay

  • Your no claims bonus should not be affected

  • We provide a comparable replacement vehicle for you to use if yours is un-roadworthy and /or being repaired

  • Your replacement vehicle will be delivered to your home or place of work, typically within 3 hours (if your vehicle is un-drivable) of starting your claim

  • Your own vehicle is repaired at an approved accident repair centre or at a repair centre you can choose yourself

  • Legal assistance will be arranged for any accident related issues

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

  • The claims Help Line is available 24/7 to assist with your queries



To find out how we can help with an accident that was not your fault, call us now on 02392 484 244 for free help and advice from one of our experienced claims advisors.

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