A guide to claiming on your car insurance

The Top 7 Things You Should Know

Report an accident as soon as it occurs.
Give a detailed report of the incident or how the damage occurred.
Keep all claim-related documentation.
Use an insurer-recommended garage, or collect several different quotes for the repairs.
The Financial Ombudsman can help resolve disputes between you and your insurer.
Your claim may not be successful, depending on your policy.
An excess will need to be paid.

Report the accident

Most drivers in the UK will have to make a claim on their car insurance policies at some point in their lives. Whether it's for a minor scrape or more significant damage, the most important thing following an accident is to report it as soon as possible.

Even if the other driver was at fault, it is best to call your own insurer to advise them that your car has been damaged. This can speed up the claims process and will get you back on the road sooner.

Another reason for reporting an incident straight away is that the details will be fresh in your mind. The more detailed your account, the easier it is for claims assessors to decide the outcome of your claim.

Keep all documents

Once you have reported your claim, you may be sent a claims form to fill out and return to your insurer. Some firms are happy to take details over the phone, but many still use claims forms to have details of the incident in writing.

Throughout the claim you may receive various pieces of correspondence from your insurer – it is important to keep these documents to help you follow the progress of your claim. If you are given a verbal reference number over the phone, make sure you write it down and keep a record of it. It will need to be included with any further documentation you send to the claims department, and may be asked for over the phone as well.

Recommended garages

Policyholders that decide to take their cars into a garage for repair and then ask for their insurer to reimburse them could end up disappointed – most claims departments use recommended garages to ensure repairs are carried out by a quality company. The insurer often deals directly with the garage recommended for your repairs to make the process smoother.

Other firms may require you to acquire different quotes for the repairs needed before agreeing to fund the work. It is important that you do not act on a quote before your insurer gives you the go ahead – it could prevent them from reimbursing you.

Excesses

An excess is the amount of money a customer pays towards a claim. If the damage caused was the fault of a third party, you can recuperate your excess costs from their side, however for any other claims the fee must be paid. Excess amounts vary from policy to policy, and comparing insurance deals at UK Net Guide can help you to find an access that is affordable for you should you need to claim.

It is also important to consider if the claim is worthwhile – if the cost of repairs is less than or the same as your excess, it may be more beneficial to pay for the repairs yourself and preserve your no claims bonus with the company.

Rejected claims

If, for whatever reason, your insurer will not honour a claim, it is advised that you read through your policy documents to ensure the claim was rejected fairly. There are certain circumstances where you may have the legal right to be reimbursed for your loss, even if the company has refused to pay out. Policyholders that think they may be entitled to reimbursement should seek legal advice before taking action.