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The Car Accident Claim Process

with Auto Claims Assist

Every year, thousands of people find themselves caught in the aftermath of car accidents. Most have to face the daunting task of navigating the complexity of insurance claims. Having a reliable team of experts to guide you through the car accident claim process can be all the difference.

STAGE 1

Starting the car accident claims process

In this step-by-step guide, we’ve broken the steps up into 2 separate stages:

STAGE 2

Processing the car accident claim

The next steps of your journey will depend on a two main factors.

If you were not at fault for the accident, Auto Claims Assist can provide you with accident management services at no cost to you. By choosing to do so, the car accident claim process is becomes as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Regardless of your experience on the road, understanding the ins and outs of the claims process can be empowering. The team at Auto Claims Assist is committed to simplifying the process and ensuring you receive the assistance you need.

Call our new claims team on 0330 128 1407 >
Speak to a Non-Fault Claim Specialist
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Stage 1

Starting the car accident claims process

After a non-fault accident, Auto Claims Assist are here to help.

We’ll guide you through the non-fault accident claims process, covering everything that you need to know.

In this step-by-step guide, we’ve broken the steps up into 2 separate stages:

1. Starting the process
Processing the claim with Auto Claims Assist

Starting the process overview

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Understanding the car accident claims process is crucial. Here are the basic steps to ensure a smooth and successful claim:

  • For non-fault drivers: gather necessary information at the accident scene.
  • Contact Auto Claims Assist immediately after the incident: We will assess your situation and guide you through the correct non-fault claim process to your specific circumstances.
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STEP 1

Knowing what to do at the accident scene is important. This is where you can gather most of the evidence needed for a non fault claim.

STEP 2

The next step is to contact Auto Claims Assist to start your non-fault claim. It’s important to get in touch as soon as possible after the non-fault accident.

STEP 3

After exchanging information and collecting evidence at the accident scene, the next step is getting yourself and your vehicle to safety. If the damage is extensive, it's usually clear that you can't drive away in your vehicle.

STEP 4

In the next step, our New Claims Team will collect and document all of the key details of the accident. We use this information to put together your case.

STEP 5

In order for us to process a non-fault claim on your behalf, we must ensure that the circumstances and evidence support your non-fault claim.

STEP 6

To complete claim initiation, we will perform driver ID and vehicle checks before confirming case acceptance and progressing on.

Start my claim

If you have just been involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault and you’re ready to start the claim process, an Accident Management Company is the most beneficial choice for you. Get in touch with our New Claims team or start your claim online.

Start my claim online Back to top ↑

Call us on

0330 128 1407

Send us an email

newclaims@autoclaimsassist.co.uk

Submit your details online

Contact us via our contact form

Once the claim has started, we move onto Stage 2: Processing the claim. Scroll down to continue.

Stage 2

Processing the car accident claims

The next steps of your journey will depend on a two main factors.

  • Condition of vehicle
  • The condition of your vehicle - this is classified into two key categories: Roadworthy or unroadworthy.
  • Repair assessment
  • The assessment of whether your vehicle is repairable or deemed a total loss.

Both of these factors will shape how we move forward in processing your claim. In this section, we’ll explain the process in a way that takes these factors into account. Our aim is to ensure you receive the assistance necessary while minimising the disruption caused by the accident in your life.

See what happens in different situations:

The vehicle is unroadworthy

If your car is damaged in an accident and considered unsafe to drive, it's called "unroadworthy." This affects how your claim is handled, depending on if the car can be repaired or is a total loss.

  • Unroadworthy repairable: Your car is unsafe to drive and can be fixed.
  • Unroadworthy total loss: Your car is unsafe to drive and the cost to repair your car is more than its value.
Read more about unroadworthy vehicles

Unroadworthy

Unroadworthy repairable claims process

Click to see the process

Unroadworthy

Unroadworthy total loss claims process

Click to see the process

The vehicle is roadworthy

If your car is still safe to drive after an accident, it's considered "roadworthy." While this typically makes the claims process simpler, there can still be complexities. We recommend having non-fault accident experts on your side to help you navigate the process.

There are two main classifications for unroadworthy vehicles involved in an accident:

  • Roadworthy repairable: Your car can be fixed and safely driven again.
  • Roadworthy total loss: The cost to repair your car is more than its value.

No matter the classification, having experts by your side ensures you receive the right guidance and support throughout your claim.

Read more about roadworthy vehicles

Roadworthy

Roadworthy repairable claims process

Click to see the process

Roadworthy

Roadworthy total loss claims process

Click to see the process

Unroadworthy repairable claims process

In the aftermath of a road traffic accident, some vehicles are categorised as “unroadworthy repairable”. This indicates that, although they are not currently roadworthy, they can be restored to a safe and drivable condition with repairs. The determination of whether a vehicle falls into this category depends on the extent of the damage it has sustained. Our unroadworthy repairable claim process consists of providing you with a replacement vehicle, generating a repair estimate, acquiring repairs authorisation from the third-party insurer and getting your vehicle back on the road.

Read more about unroadworthy repairable
Unroadworthy repairable claims process

Processing an unroadworthy repairable claim

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STEP 1

From within 4 hours of your claim starting with us, we provide you with a replacement comparable vehicle, so you’re not left without.

STEP 2

Here you’ll meet your dedicated claims handler. They will guide you through your claim, managing everything and keeping you updated.

STEP 3

Throughout the claim process, we continuously fight on your behalf to establish non-fault liability. Liability conclusion is critical.

STEP 4

We’ll assign the most suitable accident repairer in our nationwide accident repair network and then instruct them for the repairs.

STEP 5

If we didn’t recovery your car after the accident, we’ll collect the vehicle when it’s time for repair.

STEP 6

The repairer will generate a repairs estimate which we then send to the third-party insurer for authorisation.

STEP 7

The insurer's assessment team examines the repair estimate. They make sure it aligns with industry standards, fair pricing, and the extent of the damage documented.

STEP 8

We use manufacturer-approved parts and paints in all our repairs to maintain your vehicle's safety, performance, and longevity.

STEP 9

We deliver your repaired vehicle to you and collect our replacement hire car within 24 hours of insurer payment being made.

STEP 10

With your vehicle fully repaired and back in your possession, the final step in the accident management process is to ensure all costs incurred are recovered from the at-fault driver's insurer.

Start your claim with Auto Claims Assist

If you have been in a non-fault accident and your vehicle is unroadworthy, we can help by recovering your vehicle from the roadside, if it hasn’t been already. Followed by initiating and managing your non-fault claim from start-to-completion. We minimise the disruption that a non-fault accident has on life.

Start my claim online Back to top ↑

Call us on

0330 128 1407

Send us an email

newclaims@autoclaimsassist.co.uk

Submit your details online

Contact us via our contact form

Unroadworthy total loss claims process

If your car is damaged in an accident and it's not worth repairing, it's called an "unroadworthy total loss." This means the damage is too severe or the cost of repairs is too high. Our process involves getting you a replacement vehicle, assessing your car's pre-accident value, working with the other driver's insurance, and advocating for your interests.

Unroadworthy total loss claims process

Processing an unroadworthy total loss claim

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STEP 1

Within 4 hours of your claim, we provide a comparable vehicle to ensure you're not without transportation.

STEP 2

A dedicated claims handler will be assigned to manage your claim and keep you informed.

STEP 3

We advocate for a liability judgement in your favour, ensuring your claim is settled as 'not at fault'.

STEP 4

An engineer will provide a pre-accident valuation of your vehicle, which forms the basis for the insurer's total loss payment.

STEP 5

You'll review and agree to the pre-accident valuation report, If you have any questions about the report, your claims handler will be happy to explain it to you.

STEP 6

The pre-accident valuation and payment request are sent to the third-party insurer.

STEP 7

We provide 7 days' use of a hire car while you arrange for a new vehicle, ensuring you remain mobile.

STEP 8

Our support continues even after you get back on the road, covering any post-accident advice and finance matters.

Start your claim with Auto Claims Assist

If you have been in a non-fault accident and your vehicle is unroadworthy, we can help by recovering your vehicle from the roadside, if it hasn’t been already. Followed by initiating and managing your non-fault claim from start-to-completion. We minimise the disruption that a non-fault accident has on life.

Start my claim online Back to top ↑

Call us on

0330 128 1407

Send us an email

newclaims@autoclaimsassist.co.uk

Submit your details online

Contact us via our contact form

Roadworthy repairable claims process

If your car is drivable but needs repairs after an accident, it's considered "roadworthy repairable." We handle everything to get your car fixed, including assessing the damage, getting repair estimates, and working with the insurance company to cover the costs. You won't have to pay out of pocket and we'll make sure you have a vehicle to drive while yours is being repaired.

Roadworthy repairable claims process

Processing a roadworthy repairable claim

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STEP 1

Liaising with the third-party insurer, we fight for liability to prove you as the non-fault driver.

STEP 2

After concluding liability, we instruct a repairer from our network and authorise the repairs.

STEP 3

A repair date is scheduled and your vehicle is arranged to be collected, ready for repair.

STEP 4

A hire car, comparable to your own, is provided for you to use at no cost to you while yours is repaired.

STEP 5

Once repairs are finished, we arrange for your vehicle to be delivered back to you.

STEP 6

The hire car is collected from you within 24 hours of your car's repair completion.

STEP 7

We request the final payment from the third-party insurer, finalising the claim process.

Start your claim with Auto Claims Assist

If you have been in a non-fault accident and your vehicle is roadworthy, we can help by initiating and managing your non-fault claim from start-to-completion. We minimise the disruption that a non-fault accident has on life. Get in touch today.

Start my claim online Back to top ↑

Call us on

0330 128 1407

Send us an email

newclaims@autoclaimsassist.co.uk

Submit your details online

Contact us via our contact form

Roadworthy total loss claims process

Processing a roadworthy total loss claim

Some vehicles are classified as “Roadworthy Total Loss” if, despite them being a roadworthy vehicle, the damage obtained exceeds the vehicle’s economic feasibility for repair. The third-party insurer offers compensation based on the vehicle’s pre-accident value, rather than covering repair costs. Since the repair process is not feasible due to the excessive damage, accident management services are not applicable. While we do not directly handle these claims, we can provide advice in understanding and ensuring you receive a fair settlement.

Request a callback
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Our team of non-fault claim specialists are ready to answer any questions you have. Provide your details here to request a callback. One of our advisors will call you back as soon as possible. Alternatively, call us on 0330 128 1407 to speak to someone now.

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