Understanding what constitutes a non-fault accident, where the other driver admits responsibility, is crucial. Our insurance company gathers evidence such as accident videos, vehicle photographs, witness statements, CCTV footage, and police reports, and after a review, it declares who is responsible for the accident. This knowledge empowers you in the claims process.
The accident can be caused by colliding with an animal or a hit-and-run accident; no other person can recover the cost. In such cases, you will be liable to pay for the accident. This will be a faulty accident, and your insurance cannot recover any losses.
Many of us contact our insurance company after a non-fault road traffic accident to inform them about the accident. We must keep our insurers updated about the accident for the safety of our claims.
When we report the accident to our insurance company, they process the claim against your insurance policy, which affects our insurance.
If we do not want our insurance to be affected, the best option is to contact the accident management company soon after the accident and provide them with all the details and evidence.
Types Of Insurance Cover
There are different types of insurance coverage, and in case of a non-fault accident, your insurance coverage will not affect your payouts.
Third-Party Cover
If you have third-party insurance coverage, we can directly claim the at-fault party’sparty’s insurance. The insured driver and their insurance agree they are not responsible; they should cover your cost, which includes repairs, hiring a vehicle, and other compensation.
You should not get your insurance involved with the claim, but stay informed and updated.
Comprehensive Cover
You will claim your insurance company and pay the policy excess if you have comprehensive insurance coverage.
Uninsured and Untraced Claims
If the vehicle involved in the road traffic accident was not insured, then the Motor Insurer Bureau, a body that handles claims involving uninsured drivers, will handle your claim for vehicle repairs, injuries, and financial losses.
The Motor Insurer Bureau also handles claims when the at-fault driver leaves the accident scene. These are untraced drivers.
The claim will be referred to the Motor Insurers Bureau if a foreign vehicle is involved in an accident in the UK or anywhere else. This process can take more time to settle than a standard claim.
Insurance Premium
Contacting your insurance company after a road traffic accident will affect your insurance premium even if you are not responsible for the road traffic accident. Your insurance premium after a no-fault accident claim can vary because of many factors, like your insurer’s insurance policy and your previous driving history.
On the other hand, if you have a long history of safe driving and your first non-fault accident after years, your insurance company can offer some more leniency in this case.
Insurance Excess
When you pay the excess after a non-fault vehicle accident, we can claim this back from the at-fault driver’sdriver’s insurance company at the time of settlement; if the insurance company refuses to pay your compensation or another cost, contact a legal advisor for guidance. After reviewing the evidence, they will issue court proceedings, and the judge will decide on your compensation.
No-Claims Bonus
If, after the accident, the other party admits responsibility and your insurance company pays no amount to the involved parties, or if you have a comprehensive policy for your vehicle’svehicle’s damage and your insurance company has recovered all the losses from the at-fault party insurance company, then your No Claims Discount should not be affected.
Car Insurance Increase
Even if the other party admits liability, your car insurance might increase. This is because the claim gets added to your claim history and records. The non-fault accident will stay on your vehicle insurance record for 3 to 5 years.
What An Accident Management Company Do
When an accident management company is your first point of contact after a road traffic accident, you’re not alone. You’ll discuss the circumstances of the accident with an experienced handler, who will guide you through the process and ensure your rights are protected.
The handler will manage your claim professionally from submission to settlement, and you will receive compensation. If your vehicle is not drivable, the accident management company will provide you with a replacement vehicle within 24 hours while your car is repaired.
Accident Management Company Vs. Insurance Company
We can compare the services of an accident management company with an insurance company.
Replacement Vehicle
The accident management company will provide a like-to-like vehicle that meets your requirements. In contrast, your insurance will provide you with a standard car if mentioned in your policy.
Claims Bonus
If you contact an accident management company to file a claim, your claim bonus will not be affected. If you speak to your insurance company about the accident, it will affect your claims bonus.
Claim Handling
Accident management companies deal with all the overheads of the claim, like accident reporting, vehicle recovery, storage, hire vehicles, claim handling, and end-to-end services. While with your insurance, you will have to deal with recovery, storage, and other claim overheads.
Protection of Financial Risks
An Accident management company will handle all the claims and recover the losses. They will cover every detail, such as vehicle damages, recovery, or other legal claims.
How do I know that I was at Fault?
You have to gather the information from the accident scene to decide whether the accident is your fault. Factors such as the position of the vehicles, the sequence of events, and any witness statements can help establish fault.
Such as:
- When we hit the rear of the other vehicle
- If we fail to check the right way
- Do not keep our vehicle stationary at a red light.
- Wrong Turn
- Apply the Brake or stop the vehicle suddenly
Conclusion
Although non-fault accidents may not directly affect your insurance, following the required steps by documenting the accident, reporting it to your insurance, and seeking legal advice is crucial. This reassures you that you’re taking the right steps to protect your interests and ensure a smooth and simplified claims process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know that the accident was my Fault?
You must gather information from the accident scene to determine whether the accident was your Fault.
Can I claim if the other vehicle is not insured?
Yes, you can claim. The Motor Insurer’sInsurer’s Bureau manages these claims.
What is third-party insurance coverage?
Third-Party Cover
We can directly claim the at-fault party insurance if you have third-party insurance coverage.
