The car accident claim process
- What to do directly after a car accident
- Enquire with Auto Claims Assist
- Getting recovered from the roadside
- We’ll take down the details of the accident
- Assessing Liability
- Auto Claims Assist driver checks & claim acceptance
The vehicle is unroadworthy
Unroadworthy repairable- Replacement comparable vehicle is provided
- The claim is passed to our monitoring team
- We fight for liability throughout
- Repairer instructed from our specialist repair network
- The repairer will collect your vehicle from where it is
- Repair estimate created and declared to the insurer
- Repair is authorised by the third-party insurer
- Parts and paints are ordered in - The repair begins
- Back on the road and your hire car is collected
- All costs are claimed back from third party insurer
Unroadworthy total loss- Replacement comparable vehicle is provided
- The claim is passed to our monitoring team
- We continue to fight for liability, even after payment
- Engineer instructed to value the pre-accident valuation
- Engineers report is agreed by you
- Valuation & payment request sent to third-party insurer
- Use of hire car for 7 days while you source a new vehicle
- Additional support to get you back on the road
The vehicle is roadworthy
Roadworthy repairable- We begin by fighting for liability
- Repairer instructed and repairs authorisation are granted
- We book in a date for your vehicle's repair
- Comparable replacement hire car is arranged
- Repairs are completed and your car is back on the road
- Replacement hire car is collected within 24 hours
- Payment is requested from the third-party insurer
Roadworthy total loss
- What to do directly after a car accident
- Enquire with Auto Claims Assist
- Getting recovered from the roadside
- We’ll take down the details of the accident
- Assessing Liability
- Auto Claims Assist driver checks & claim acceptance
- The vehicle is unroadworthy
- Unroadworthy repairable
- Replacement comparable vehicle is provided
- The claim is passed to our monitoring team
- We fight for liability throughout
- Repairer instructed from our specialist repair network
- The repairer will collect your vehicle from where it is
- Repair estimate created and declared to the insurer
- Repair is authorised by the third-party insurer
- Parts and paints are ordered in - The repair begins
- Back on the road and your hire car is collected
- All costs are claimed back from third party insurer
- Unroadworthy total loss
- Replacement comparable vehicle is provided
- The claim is passed to our monitoring team
- We continue to fight for liability, even after payment
- Engineer instructed to value the pre-accident valuation
- Engineers report is agreed by you
- Valuation & payment request sent to third-party insurer
- Use of hire car for 7 days while you source a new vehicle
- Additional support to get you back on the road
- The vehicle is roadworthy
- Roadworthy repairable
- We begin by fighting for liability
- Repairer instructed and repairs authorisation are granted
- We book in a date for your vehicle's repair
- Comparable replacement hire car is arranged
- Repairs are completed and your car is back on the road
- Replacement hire car is collected within 24 hours
- Payment is requested from the third-party insurer
- Roadworthy total loss
Valuation & Payment Request Sent to Third-party Insurer
Now that you’ve approved the pre-accident value of your car, we're ready to take the next step: submitting your claim to the at-fault driver's insurance company.
Presenting Your Case to the At-Fault Insurer
We'll prepare a detailed claim package that includes the engineer's report, evidence of your losses (e.g., repair invoices, receipts, hire vehicle costs etc.), and any other relevant documentation. This package clearly outlines why you're entitled to compensation and the amount we're seeking on your behalf. We then formally request that the at-fault insurer covers all of these documented costs and losses.
Working Within Industry Standards
We’re a proud member of the Credit Hire Organisation (CHO). This means that we follow the industry's General Terms of Agreement (GTA) rates when calculating credit hire costs. This means our charges align with what insurers typically expect, ensuring a smoother claims process and avoiding unnecessary disputes.
General Terms of Agreement (GTA) rates
The GTA provides a framework for fair and transparent pricing in the credit hire industry. It helps protect both you and the at-fault insurer by ensuring that costs are reasonable and justifiable.
By following these rules, we show that we're committed to ethical and professional practices.
Why This is Important: Working within the GTA framework shows insurers that we're a reputable company that plays by the rules. This can help speed up the claims process and increase the likelihood of a favourable outcome for you.
However, Insurers Are Known to Undervalue Written-Off Vehicles
Unfortunately, insurance companies often try to minimise their payouts. They might offer less than your car is truly worth, hoping you'll accept a lower settlement. This is especially common with total loss claims, as evaluating the car’s pre-accident value is not always easy to figure out.
This is Why We Fight for a Fair Settlement
We want to make sure you get what you're owed and we won't let you be shortchanged. We use our expert reports and market data to challenge any low offers. Our goal is to get you the right settlement that accurately reflects the true value of your car before the accident.
How We Ensure a Fair Settlement
- Expert Assessment: We work with independent, BSI Kitemark accredited engineers who are experts in vehicle valuation. They have no ties to insurance companies and will provide an unbiased assessment of your car's pre-accident value.
- Thorough Review: We carefully review the engineer's report to ensure accuracy and completeness.
- Market Comparison: We compare the valuation to market data to ensure it reflects the true value of your car.
- Negotiation: We'll take care of all the discussions with the other driver's insurance company. Our experienced team knows how to get you the best possible outcome.
Payment From the At-Fault Insurer
Once the settlement is agreed, the at-fault driver's insurance company will pay out the full amount of the final settlement. This covers the agreed pre-accident value of your car, as well as any other costs related to your claim (like the cost of your hire car). As the non-fault driver, there’s no cost to you to make a non-fault claim with Auto Claims Assist. You won't have to pay anything.
Keeping You Informed Every Step of the Way
We'll keep you updated on your claim's progress, including all communication with the insurance company. You'll never be left in the dark. Our experience as non-fault claim specialists means we can handle everything for you, making the claims process smooth, stress-free, and efficient.