What to do after a non-fault accident

If someone else caused your accident, here is the short version: make sure everyone is safe, gather details and photos at the scene, do not admit fault, and report it so the claim runs against the other driver’s insurer. On a genuine non-fault claim you should not have to pay an excess, and your no-claims bonus stays protected.

Below is the same thing, step by step.

At the scene

1. Stop and make it safe. Pull over if you can, put your hazards on and switch off the engine. If anyone is injured or the road is blocked, call 999.
2. Don’t admit fault. Even a polite “sorry” can be used against you later. Stay calm and let the facts decide who was to blame.
3. Swap details. Get the other driver’s name, phone number, registration and insurer. Give yours. Note the make, model and colour of their car.
4. Find witnesses. If anyone saw what happened, ask for their name and number. Independent witnesses are gold in a disputed claim.
5. Photograph everything. The damage to both cars, the number plates, the position of the vehicles, the road, road signs and any injuries. Video helps too. The more you have, the smoother the claim.

In the days after

Once you’re home and the adrenaline has worn off, there are only a few things left to do:

• Report it promptly. The sooner a claim is opened, the quicker your car gets booked in and any courtesy car is arranged.
• Keep your evidence together. Photos, the other driver’s details and any witness details in one place.
• Choose who repairs your car. This is the part many people don’t realise: the choice of repairer is yours, not your insurer’s.

Why a non-fault claim is different

When the accident wasn’t your fault, the costs are recovered from the at-fault driver’s insurer, not your own policy. In practice that means:

• No excess for you to pay.
• Your no-claims bonus stays intact.
• You’re entitled to a like-for-like courtesy car while yours is repaired.

You can read more on how this works on our non-fault claims page.

Let us take it from here

At MSL Customs in Birmingham, we handle the claim and the repair together, so you have one number to call and nothing to chase. If you’ve just had an accident, tell us what happened or call 0121 766 6669 and we’ll guide you through it.