Car repairs after a non-fault accident
Get your car fixed properly, at a repairer you're happy with, without claiming on your own policy.
- No excess in most cases
- Your choice of repairer
- Cost recovered from the at-fault insurer
If the accident wasn't your fault, the other driver's insurer should pay for repairs that put your vehicle back in its pre-accident condition. You don't have to claim on your own policy, you can choose who repairs your car, and we can arrange the repair and recover the cost for you.
What you need to know about non-fault repairs
The key points, in plain English.
The at-fault insurer pays
The driver who caused the accident is responsible, so their insurer pays the reasonable cost of your repair.
No excess, no lost bonus
Because the claim isn't on your own policy, you shouldn't normally pay your excess or lose your no-claims bonus.
Your choice of repairer
You don't have to use the garage your insurer, or the other driver's insurer, suggests.
A car while yours is fixed
If you need one, a comparable replacement vehicle may be provided while your car is off the road.
Courtesy car & credit hire →Not worth repairing?
If the repair costs more than the car was worth, you're entitled to its pre-accident value instead.
Total loss claims →Injured too?
Injury claims are handled by solicitors at NJS Law, alongside your vehicle claim.
Injury claims →How non-fault repairs are arranged
- 1
We check the details
We confirm what happened and whether the other driver was at fault.
- 2
An engineer inspects
They assess the damage and agree the repair, usually within a few days.
- 3
Your car is repaired
At a bodyshop, with a replacement vehicle in the meantime if you need one.
- 4
We recover the cost
The repair bill is claimed from the at-fault driver's insurer, not you.
What evidence helps a repair claim?
The more you can show about the accident, the smoother the claim. Keep any of these safe.
- The other driver's name, registration and insurer
- Photos of both vehicles and the road layout
- Dashcam footage, if you have it
- Witness names and contact details
- A police reference number, if police attended
- Receipts for recovery, storage or travel
Will I have to pay my excess?
If your repair is claimed from the at-fault driver's insurer rather than through your own policy, you shouldn't normally need to pay your excess.
Can I use my own garage?
Usually, yes. Tell us which garage you'd like to use and we'll confirm whether the repair can be arranged there.
What if the other driver says it was my fault?
Evidence such as photos, dashcam footage and witness details becomes more important. If liability is disputed, we'll explain your options before anything goes ahead.
What if I'm not happy with the repair?
Tell us as soon as you can. Repairs should return your car to its pre-accident condition, and problems with the work can be raised with the repairer.
I was injured too. Can that be dealt with as well?
Yes. Injury claims are handled separately by solicitors at NJS Law, alongside your vehicle claim.
Get your car repaired without claiming on your own policy
Tell us what happened and we'll explain your options. There's no obligation to go ahead.
Every claim is different. Repairs and replacement vehicles are provided by independent companies we work with, and we'll tell you about any arrangement with them before you agree to anything.