How to make a car insurance claim
Key takeaways:
- Most insurers recommend reporting within 24–48 hours, but check your policy as cover could be invalidated if you leave it too late
- Both at-fault and non-fault claims can affect your premium and no-claims bonus
- Once you've accepted a settlement, you usually can't reopen the claim
- Comparing insurers can help offset any premium increases after a claim
- Comprehensive policies often include an uninsured driver promise, protecting your NCB and waiving your excess
What to do immediately after a car accident
Your first priority should always be safety.
- Move to a safe place if possible and turn on your hazard lights
- Check for injuries and call emergency services if you need to
Once everyone is safe:
- Stop and exchange details with the other driver(s), including names, addresses, phone numbers, registration numbers and insurer details
- Gather evidence by noting the date, time, location and weather conditions
- Take photos or videos of the vehicles, damage and surrounding area
- Speak to any witnesses and take their contact details
This information can be crucial when making a claim.
For more details, read our step-by-step guide on what to do after a car accident.
How to make a car insurance claim
Notify your insurer as soon as possible
You should contact your insurer as soon as you can – ideally within 24 hours. You can usually do this through your account on your insurer’s website or call their dedicated claims number.
Even if you don’t plan to claim, most policies require you to report the incident. Even if this isn’t in your terms and conditions, it’s a good idea to do it anyway, as it could cover your back if the other party claims.
Provide the details
Your insurer will ask for:
- The date, time and location of the accident
- Details of what happened
- Information about any other drivers or road users involved
- A police reference number if you have one
Understand the type of claim
There are two main types of claim:
- At-fault claim – this is where your insurer pays out and can’t recover costs
- Non-fault claim – in this instance, your insurer recovers costs from the other party
This distinction could affect your premium and no-claims bonus (NCB).
What documents do I need to make a car insurance claim?
Generally speaking, you’ll be asked to provide:
- Your driving licence number
- Your policy number
- Contact details for all parties involved
- Photos or videos of the damage, the scene or anything else relevant
- Witness statements
- Police report, if there is one
- Car dashcam footage
How soon after an accident can I make a claim?
It’s best to start your claim as soon as possible after the incident.
Acting quickly will help to make sure:
- Evidence is still fresh and accurate
- Witnesses are easier to contact
- The process runs more smoothly
Most insurers recommend reporting within 24-48 hours.
How long does a car insurance claim take?
The time it takes to settle a claim can vary.
- Simple claims, for example, minor damage with a clear fault, are likely to be resolved quickly
- More complex cases – especially where liability is disputed – can take longer
If your car is repairable, your insurer may arrange a garage to fix it. If your car is written-off, you’ll usually receive a payout based on it's market value.
How does an insurance claim affect my no-claims bonus?
Making a claim could affect your no-claims bonus (NCB).
- An at-fault claim will usually reduce your NCB, unless you’ve protected it
- A non-fault claim might still affect your premium until costs are recovered
You’ll also typically need to declare any claims for up to five years when getting quotes.
As a result, premiums might increase. Although bear in mind that comparing insurers can help you find a better deal.
Can I make a car insurance claim if the accident wasn’t my fault?
If you’re involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault and make a car insurance claim, this will generally be considered a non-fault claim. It means your insurer will try to recover the cost of any repairs from the other driver’- insurer.
A non-fault claim could still push up the cost of your car insurance. But it should be a smaller rise than for a car insurance claim where you were to blame, in other words, an at-fault claim.
Remember, you could also lose some or all of your no-claims bonus (NCB) with a non-fault claim unless it was protected at the time of the accident.
What if the other driver is not insured?
If your looking to claim against an uninsured driver:
- Report the incident to the police: driving uninsured is illegal, and you should always call the police if you suspect an offence is being committed
- Collect as much evidence as possible, like photos, witness details, registration numbers
- Inform your insurance provider
Many comprehensive policies include an uninsured driver promise. This will generally preserve your NCB and, in many cases, will waive your excess (more on this in a moment).
If you don’t have car insurance, you might be able to claim through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB).
What if a false car insurance claim is made against me?
If someone makes a false claim against you:
- Contact your insurer immediately
- Provide any evidence you have, such as dash cam footage or witness statements
Insurers will investigate the claim and assess the evidence. If needed, you may want to seek legal advice – particularly if the case becomes more complex.
Will I have to pay an excess if I claim?
In many cases, yes – you’ll need to pay an excess.
This is the amount you agreed to contribute when you took out your policy. It can include:
- A compulsory excess set by the insurer
- A voluntary excess chosen by you
If the accident wasn’t your fault, you may be able to recover this cost from the other driver or their insurer.
Making a car insurance claim doesn’t have to be complicated. By acting quickly, collecting the right information and understanding the process, you can help make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible – and get back on the road with confidence.
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FAQs
How long do I have to make a car insurance claim?
It’s vital to contact your insurer soon after an accident. There’s a risk your cover could be invalidated if you leave it too late.
Many car insurers require you to report an accident to them within 24 hours, but the limit can vary. Check your car insurance policy for the details.
Can I cancel my car insurance claim?
If you want to cancel a car insurance claim, the earlier you do it the better. Cancelling your car insurance claim might get more complicated if the insurer has already made significant progress in processing the claim.
Common reasons for people cancelling a car insurance claim include if they’ve decided to keep their no-claims bonus or want to claim on someone else’s policy instead.
How long can a car insurance claim stay open?
Car insurance claims can take longer to settle if the details of an accident are serious or complicated. It means car insurance claims may stay open for weeks until insurers manage to settle the case – sometimes even months.
But if the case is simple, everything could be sorted out within a week. It really just depends.
Can a closed car insurance claim be reopened?
Once you’ve accepted a settlement from a car insurance claim, you usually can’t reopen it.
How long does a car insurance claim stay on your insurance record?
When taking out car insurance, you’ll usually be asked to disclose details of any accidents you’ve been involved in over the past five years. This includes those where you were not at fault.
If you aren’t honest about your claims history, your policy could be invalidated and any future claims rejected.
Will I get a criminal record after a car accident?
You have to commit a criminal offence in order to get a criminal record. You could potentially get a conviction if, for example:
- You were driving dangerously
- You were already banned from driving
- You were under the influence of drugs or alcohol