My excess is huge (£500+); can I claim without paying it?

Last updated on April 17, 2026

Yes, if you’ve been in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you can make a claim without paying your excess, but it depends on who you choose to manage the claim for you.

When you have a non-fault accident, you have three options. Here is how each one affects you.

Option 1: Claiming through your own insurance

This is often the most common route, but it is usually the most expensive for you.

You will likely have to pay your excess: Even if the accident was the other person’s fault, your own insurer will usually ask you to pay your excess. They may offer to waive it, but in our experience, this is rare.
Your premiums may go up: While your claim is "open" (meaning your insurer hasn't won liability yet), it stays on your record. If your insurance is up for renewal during this time, your price could jump by an average of 28%. On a £600 policy, that’s an extra £168.
No Claims Bonus: Because you are claiming on your own policy, your No Claims Bonus will often be affected regardless of who was at fault.

Option 2: Claiming through the at-fault driver’s insurance

The other driver’s insurance company might contact you very quickly. They do this to manage the costs and protect their own interests.

No excess to pay: They will waive the excess because they are the ones responsible for the costs.
The downside: Because they are trying to keep their costs low, they may insist on using "green parts" (second-hand parts) for the repair. They also tend to provide very small courtesy cars, like a Vauxhall Corsa, rather than a like-for-like replacement vehicle.
Valuations: If your car is a write-off, they will be the ones deciding how much to pay you. You have to ask yourself if they really have your best interests at heart.

Option 3: Using Auto Claims Assist

We provide an independent service that manages the entire process for you, ensuring you aren’t left out of pocket.

No excess to pay: We make the claim directly against the at-fault driver’s insurance company, so you never have to find the money for an excess.
No "open claims" on your policy: Since you aren't claiming from your own insurance, you don't have to worry about your renewal price spiking or losing your No Claims Bonus.
Like-for-like replacement vehicle: We provide a like-for-like replacement vehicle of a similar size and specification while yours is being repaired.
Manufacturer approved repairs: We only use manufacturer-approved parts and methods. We provide a lifetime guarantee on the repairs for as long as you own the car.
Independent valuations: If your car is a write-off, we use independent engineers to value it. This ensures you get a fair market price for your vehicle.

There is no cost to you for our services. We recover all the costs directly from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. You’ll get expert support from start to finish, at no cost to you.

Editorial History (View Full Timeline)