Claiming on your car insurance policy
Please note that the following information is only a guide and not a legal opinion - please call us if you are unsure about anything.
Do I need to report incidents if I don't intend claiming?
You should report all accidents, thefts, attempted thefts, fire and malicious damage incidents, even if you are not going to make a claim against your car insurance.
Do I need to report incidents to the police?
Vehicle theft, attempted theft and malicious damage incidents must be reported to the police within 48 hours. Please note the crime reference number as it will be required when you notify us of the incident.
Report any accident involving injuries, or where the other driver does not stop, to the police as soon as possible.
What should I do in the event of an accident?
If any of the following occurs (even if you weren't involved, but the presence of your vehicle on the road may have been a factor in the accident):
- any person other than yourself is injured
- damage is caused to another person's vehicle or property
- If your car hits a dog or a farm animal you are required by law to report the incident to the police. If you hit a cat or wild animal, there is no obligation to report it, but you must ensure that the animal is not injured and suffering.
What are my obligations in the event of an accident?
You should:
- stop at the scene for a reasonable period of time
- give the following details to anyone who is reasonably entitled to ask:
- your name and address
- vehicle registration number and registered owner's details.
You must produce your Certificate of Motor Insurance if any person other than yourself is injured.
If you cannot follow the above, the accident must be reported to the police within 24 hours.
What should I do in the event of an incident?
In the unfortunate event that you become aware of any accident or loss involving the insured vehicle, or of any other incident which may lead to a claim by you or a third party, please report the incident to us as soon as reasonably possible, using the claims telephone number printed on your Certificate of Motor Insurance (see Contact Information). Our friendly advisors will assist you and tell you what to do next.
What if I'm injured following an accident?
If the accident is not your fault, and you have a yesinsurance.co.uk Motor Legal Protection policy we can instruct a solicitor to act on your behalf and attempt to claim compensation for your injuries.
Can I arrange to have my vehicle repaired anywhere I want?
If you have Comprehensive Car Insurance cover, you will usually be advised to take your vehicle to a repairer recommended by your insurance company, which may avoid you having to get additional estimates. This also usually speeds up the repair process. In addition, many approved repairers can provide you with a courtesy car while yours is being repaired, subject to terms and conditions.
Note that the cost of repairs is your responsibility until your car insurer has agreed to pay.
What if my policy doesn't cover damage to my own car?
If you do not have Comprehensive Car Insurance cover (i.e. if you have Third Party Only Car Insurance or Third Party, Fire and Theft Car Insurance), your policy will not cover accidental damage to your vehicle. You will have to pay for the repair costs yourself, or claim them from the other driver if they were responsible for the damage. You will need to get in touch with their insurer to pay for your damages. We can do this for you if you have a yesinsurance.co.uk Motor Legal Protection policy.
What excess will I have to pay?
The excess payable is detailed on your car insurance policy documents. Please note that this can vary depending on the type of driving licence and the age of the person driving at the time of incident.
If you are involved in an accident with another person that is not your fault, and you have a yesinsurance.co.uk Motor Legal Protection policy, we may be able to claim your excess back from the other driver's insurer.
