Will my insurance go up? Answered

It’s a common worry after an accident that wasn’t your fault: Will this incident end up affecting your car insurance, even though you believe you did nothing wrong?

The straightforward answer is: Yes, a non-fault accident can unfortunately have an impact on your insurance, no matter what you do.

‘How much’ it affects your insurance comes down to ‘how you claim’

However, the important thing to understand is that the way it affects you, and how significantly, comes down to the choices you make when deciding how to claim.

Generally, a non-fault accident can potentially influence areas such as:

Your future insurance premiums.
Your No Claims Bonus (NCB).
Whether you have to pay an excess on your policy.
The amount of time, stress, and hassle involved in resolving everything.

You have 3 main options to claim

After a non-fault accident, you’ll need to decide how to make your claim.

Each option can have very different outcomes for your insurance and your peace of mind.

The three main options you can choose from are:

Claiming through your own car insurance company.
Claiming with an Accident Management Company (Recommended).
Claiming directly with the at-fault driver’s insurer yourself.

Use this comparison table below to help you see the differences between your options. This shows how each option can affect your insurance after a non-fault accident:

What's affected

Your insurer

Auto Claims Assist

Third-Party Insurer

Your insurer:

Your no claim bonus may be reduced or temporarily suspended while the claim is processed. It may be reinstated later, but only if your insurer successfully recovers all cost from the at-fault party’s insurer.

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Auto Claims Assist:

The claim is made directly against the at-fault driver’s insurer, not your own, so your no claims bonus stays intact.

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Third party insurer yourself:

No-claims bonus likely stays intact since you’re not claiming on your policy. However, if you fail to prove non-fault or end up resorting to your own insurer, your bonus may still be affected.

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Your insurer:

Insurer may not challenge fault on your behalf and could accept partial or full liability to speed up settlement.

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Auto Claims Assist:

From day one, we work to prove the other driver’s fault and protect your non-fault position.

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Third party insurer yourself:

You’re responsible for establishing the other driver’s fault, which can be stressful. The at-fault insurer may attempt to dispute or reduce their liability.

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Definition:

How an unresolved or pending claim may influence your insurance renewal.
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Your insurer:

If a claim is still open at the time of renewal, it will appear as a pending on your record, which insurers may see as a higher risk.

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Auto Claims Assist:

There is no pending claim recorded on your policy, which helps reduce the impact on your renewal premium.

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Third party insurer yourself:

There is no pending claim recorded on your policy, which helps reduce the impact on your renewal premium.

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Definition:

A record of all accidents or claims reported to your insurer, regardless of fault.
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Your insurer:

A non-fault claim will appear on your claim history and may lead to higher premiums due to increased risk perception.

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Auto Claims Assist:

A non-fault claim will still appear on your claim history, but we work to reduce its impact by handling the claim directly with the at-fault insurer and supporting your non-fault position, ensuring liability is established clearly and fairly.

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Third party insurer yourself:

A non-fault claim will appear on your claim history and may lead to higher premiums due to increased risk perception.

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Definition:

The fixed amount you agree to pay towards a claim before your insurer covers the rest (includes selected voluntary and compulsory).
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Your insurer:

You’ll usually have to pay this upfront, even in a non-fault claim. This may be refunded later, but only if the insurer recovers the full cost from the other driver.

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Auto Claims Assist:

You don’t pay an excess at all, because we claim directly against the at-fault driver’s insurer.

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Third party insurer yourself:

There’s no excess to pay, as you’re claiming directly from the at-fault driver’s insurer rather than your own. However, you’ll need to manage all communication and negotiation yourself.

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For a more in-depth understanding, the next sections explore each option individually in detail.

Understand how each option can affect your insurance. This should help you to choose how to make a claim after your non-fault accident.

Need advice after a non-fault accident?

Our team is here to answer any questions you might have after being involved in a non-fault accident.

We can help you to understand your situation. If you decide you want to pursue a non-fault claim, we can handle everything for you - all at no cost to you.

Call us on 0330 128 1407

Call me back Start my claim

From the outset of my contact every single person I spoke to has been helpful and all concerned have taken the pain of having to sort a claim out. They literally do it all for you. My settlement cheque is in the post to me and I still have the hire car for another week. First class

RA

Rachel, GB

May 3, 2025

My car was hit in the rear about 10 days ago and these guys have been a pleasure to deal with. Hopefully I won’t have to deal with insurance due to a non fault accident again, but if I do, or if anyone I know has to, I will absolutely 100% suggest they use auto claims assist. It’s so refreshing.

MI

Mitch, GB

6 November 2024

Making a call to an independent company can be a bit daunting but after speaking to the staff I was put at ease who explained the process clearly. My claims handler Ron Parker was friendly and thorough during the claim and kept me informed and updated.

RR

Russel, GB

13 December 2024

I was passed to Auto claims assist to deal with an incident that occurred and they were brilliant. I knew I could call or email if there was any need to. Very helpful and very kind! Everyone who I’ve came into contact with have all been really lovely and helpful.

AT

Alexandra, GB

14 April 2025

Call me back Start my claim

If you claim through your own insurance company:

This route often seems easiest initially, but it can lead to negative impacts on your insurance.

You could lose your no-claims bonus.
Your insurance premium could go up.
You could be made to pay your insurance excess.

How your insurance can be affected:

1

Your insurer starts the process and opens a claim against your own policy

Why this happens?

Liability of the accident hasn’t yet been established.
Your insurer uses your policy in case liability isn’t won.
This means that you now have an open claim on your own policy.

Outcome: ‘Open/Pending’ Claim on your policy

Your record now shows an active, unresolved claim, which insurers see as a risk.

Outcome: Charged your Excess

You usually have to pay your policy excess upfront for any claim involving your own policy.

Outcome: Temporary Lose NCB

The ‘open claim’ on your policy can temporarily suspended your No Claims Bonus.

2

Your insurance might then renew while the claim is still ‘open’

Why this happens?

The length of time a claim takes can vary.
In straightforward cases, liability can be resolved within 1-2 months.
However, disputes or complexities can cause longer delays.
If your claim is still on-going when your renewal comes around, it will be marked as 'open' on your record.

Outcome: Insurance cost increased (due to 'Open Claim' risk profile)

An ‘open’ claim represents an unknown risk and can increase your insurance renewal cost.

Outcome: Insurance cost increased (due to lost NCB)

If your NCB was suspended, your discount won't be applied at renewal, pushing the price up further.

3

Your insurer is responsible for defending your non-fault position

Why this happens?

Your insurance company will act as your non-fault claim representative.
They will manage all communication with the other driver’s insurance company.
As your official claim handler, it is their responsibility to fully demonstrate liability and win the case.

3a

If your insurer fails defend your non-fault position

Why this happens?

An insurers purpose is to sell and provide insurance, not to specialise in non-fault claim handling.
Without a dedicated focus on proving you weren't at fault, your case might not get the specialist attention it needs.
This can risk resulting in an unfair decision where you could be blamed for part, or even all of the accident.

Outcome: ‘Fault Claim’ added to your Claim history

If you're assigned any blame, it's recorded as a 'fault' claim in your claim history.

Outcome: Insurance cost increased (due to 'Fault Claim')

A fault claim usually leads to a significant increase in your premiums for several years.

Outcome: Permanent loss of accumulated No Claims Bonus (NCB)

A fault claim means your accumulated years of no claims are likely reduced or lost entirely.

Outcome: Increased Premium (due to lost NCD)

Losing your NCB means your No Claims Discount is reduced or removed, further increasing your premium.

3b

If your insurer successfully defends non-fault position

Why this happens?

Your insurer manages to prove the other driver was 100% at fault.
They then recover all claim costs from the at-fault driver’s insurer (Third-party insurer).
However, the accident is still recorded in your claims history (this cannot be avoided).

Outcome: Excess can be reclaimed

You can claim back the excess you paid initially, now that liability has been resolved (however, you will need to contact your insurer to discuss this).

Outcome: No Claims Restored (If removed)

If your insurer suspended your NCB, your accumulated years should be reinstated.

Outcome: Discount is reapplied (If removed)

Your No Claims Discount percentage should be re-applied back on your policy. However, if your insurance renewed before this, you won’t be reimbursed for any increases during the claim.

Outcome: The claim is no longer ‘open/pending’ on your policy

The claim is officially closed as non-fault. You no longer need to worry about upcoming renewals once this is done.

Outcome: ‘Non-Fault Claim’ added to your Claim history

Even though the claims was successful, the incident will still be recorded on your history as a non-fault accident, so you record is no longer classed as clean.

Outcome: Potential Insurance cost increase (due to ‘Claim History’)

Unfortunately, even non-fault claims can lead to higher premiums. Insurers often see any accident, regardless of fault, as an indicator of increased risk.

Quick Recap: Potential impacts if you claim via your own insurer

Claiming through your own insurance company after an accident that wasn't your fault can unfortunately lead to negative consequences for your insurance, including:

Having to pay your policy excess upfront.

Your No Claims Bonus (NCB) being temporarily suspended or reduced while the claim is open.

Facing a higher premium when your insurance renews if the claim is still ongoing.

Your premium increasing significantly if your insurer doesn't fully defend your position and you're unfairly assigned some or all of the blame.

A permanent loss or reduction of your No Claims Bonus if fault is incorrectly attributed to you.

Potentially still seeing your premium go up at renewal, even if the claim is settled as non-fault, simply due to the accident being on your claims history.

If you claim with an Accident Management Company:

Using an AMC, like Auto Claims Assist, can still affect your insurance, but aims to avoid many of the pitfalls of claiming via your own insurer.

Your No Claims Bonus (NCB) is unaffected.

You do not pay your policy excess.

Your insurance premium could still go up, but the risk of this happening because of this specific claim is reduced.

1

Your claim is made against the at-fault driver's insurance

Why this happens?

The other driver was responsible for the accident and they have insurance on their vehicle for this reason.
An Accident Management Company (like Auto Claims Assist) pursues the claim directly with the at-fault driver’s insurer, not your own.
Your own insurance policy isn't directly involved in the claim process.

Outcome: Avoid an open/pending claim on your own policy

Since the claim is being made with the third-party insurer, your own insurance isn’t used to initially facilitate the claim (or as a fallback).

Outcome: No excess to pay

The claim isn’t against your insurance, so you do not pay your insurance policy excess.

Outcome: Unaffected NCB

Your No Claims Bonus (NCB) remains unaffected by this claim because you aren't claiming on your policy.

2

Your insurance might then renew while the claim is still ‘open’

Why this happens?

Straightforward cases can resolve in 1-2 months.
However, disagreements or complexities can cause claims to take longer.
During this time, your insurance renewal might occur during the claim process.
If your claim is still on-going when your renewal comes around, the ‘open’ claim is on the other driver’s policy instead of yours.

Outcome: Avoided cost increase (from 'Open Claim')

Your renewal premium isn't increased because of an 'open' claim status from this accident.

Outcome: Avoided No Claims Discount reduction

Your NCB remains intact, so your discount isn't affected if your insurance renews during the claim.

3

Your position on liability is defended by non-fault specialists

Why this happens?

Accident Management Companies (like Auto Claims Assist) are specialists in non-fault accident claims.
Their primary goal is to clearly establish that the other driver was at fault and ensure you receive everything you're entitled to.

Outcome: Avoided cost increase (from incorrect fault)

Specialists fight to prevent you being unfairly blamed, protecting you from 'fault claim' premium hikes.

Outcome: Avoided Loss of NCB/NCD

By ensuring fault is correctly assigned to the other party, your NCB/NCD remains safe from this claim.

4

The non-fault accident is added to your claims history

Why this happens?

It's important to know that you are required to inform your insurance company about any accident you're involved in, regardless of fault or how the claim is being handled.
Unfortunately, this means the non-fault accident will be noted on your claims history.

Outcome: ‘Non-Fault Claim’ added to your Claim history

A non-fault claim is added to your claims history.

Outcome: Potential Insurance cost increase

Your insurance premium can go up from any claim history, including non-fault claims. This is the one outcome no provider can completely avoid.

Recap: Potential impacts if you claim via an Accident Management Company

Opting to use an Accident Management Company (like Auto Claims Assist) for your non-fault claim generally leads to the following outcomes for your insurance:

You do not pay any policy excess.

Your No Claims Bonus (NCB) is protected from the claim.

Your own insurance avoids direct premium increases from policy renewal time.

Your insurance premium doesn’t increase from any direct partial or full fault liability unfairly assigned to you.

Your insurance premium can go up due to the non-fault claim being recorded in your claims history.

Keeping me updated on all details. Toni was a pleasure to speak to. The claims process was so easy and quick and much easier than using my own Insurance company. They even contacted my Insurance company for me to report the accident. I would definitely recommend Auto Claims Assist and use them again myself if needed.

SB

Stacey, GB

May 29, 2025

Always kept informed and up to date. Nothing is too much trouble and all staff that I delt with were excellent and a credit to the company. From collection of the vehicle to the final settlement Auto claims sorted every detail out. I will use again and have already recommended them to others.

SA

Steven, GB

May 9 2024

Auto Claims Assist LTD was helping me in the unfortunate situation in April 2025. The customer service was second to none, everyone in the team extremely professional, and knowledgeable. I would like to say special thanks to Tony and her Manager , they went the extra mile to support me in my case. I highly recommend them to anyone.

AC

Alla, GB

May 4 2024

After a non fault accident, my car was written off and I was suffering with injury from the accident. He took care of everything, liaised with the third party insurer, arranged a courtesy car, kept me updated and was there to answer all my queries. He made the aftermath much easier to handle and I would definitely recommend them to anyone.

L

Louise, GB

April 14 2025

Call me back Start my claim

If you claim with the Other Driver's Insurer directly yourself:

This route seems like a good option initially, but carries risks because you must do all the work and fight your corner alone.

You do not pay your policy excess.

Your No Claims Bonus (NCB) isn't immediately put at risk.

However, you must defend your own position on liability. Failing to do this could result in shared fault for the accident, which can then result in:

Having to pay your policy excess.

You risk losing some or all of your No Claims Bonus/Discount.

A ‘fault’ accident on your claims history will likely lead to higher premiums.

If you do defend liability successfully:

Your insurance premium can still increase from the non-fault claim in your claims history.

1

You make your claim directly against the other driver's insurance

Why this happens?

You personally contact the insurance company of the driver you believe was at fault directly.
You state that their policyholder is responsible for your vehicle damage and other related losses.

Outcome: Avoid an open/pending claim on your own policy

Since the claim is being made with the third-party insurer, your own insurance isn’t used to initially facilitate the claim (or as a fallback).

Outcome: No excess to pay

You do not have to pay the policy excess on your own insurance policy.

Outcome: Avoid ‘open/pending’ claim on your policy

Like the AMC route, the claim isn't active on your policy record.

Outcome: Unaffected NCB

Your No Claims Bonus (NCB) isn't affected by a claim being made on your own policy.

2

Your insurance might then renew while the claim is still ‘open’

Why this happens?

Making a non-fault claim, especially by yourself, can take time.
During this time, your own insurance policy renewal might become due while the claims still ‘open’.
However, because you are pursuing your claim directly with the other driver's insurer, the claim is not registered as 'open' against your own insurance policy.

Outcome: Avoided cost increase (from 'Open Claim')

Your renewal premium isn't directly increased as a result of this specific claim causing an 'open claim' status on your own policy.

Outcome: Avoided cost increase (from 'No Claims Discount Suspension')

By not claiming on your own insurance, your no claims discount stays active and your renewal premium won’t go up for that reason.

3

You must personally defend your position on liability and manage your claim

Why this happens?

When claiming against the other driver's insurance company directly, you act as your own representative.
While acting on your own behalf, you must:
- Manage all communication, documentation and negotiations with the other driver’s insurance company.
- Fully demonstrate liability of the other driver

3a

If you successfully prove the other driver was fully to blame

Why this happens?

Successfully managing your own claim and proving the other driver was entirely at fault means you've likely invested significant time and personal effort.
This includes collecting and presenting strong evidence, communicating your case, and arguing against any disputes from the at-fault insurer.

Outcome: Avoided cost increase (from incorrect fault)

Your insurance premium doesn’t increase from any direct partial or full fault liability unfairly assigned to you.

Outcome: ‘Non-Fault Claim’ added to your Claim history

You still need to declare the non-fault accident to your insurer and this is added to your claims history.

Outcome: Insurance cost increase (due to 'Claim History')

Your insurance premium can still go up from the non-fault claim in your claims history.

3b

If you do not prove the other driver was fully to blame

Why this happens?

Proving someone else was liable for a road traffic accident isn't always straightforward.
The other driver's insurer might disagree with your account of the accident, arguing that you shared liability or finding aspects of your claim they can legally challenge.
Without in-depth knowledge of claims processes or legal arguments, it can be very difficult to effectively counter their stance or negotiate a fair settlement.

Outcome: Charged Excess

You may end up having to pay your own policy excess after all.

Outcome: ‘Fault Claim’ added to your Claim history

If blame is shared or falls on you, it becomes a 'fault' claim, which is recorded in your claims history.

Outcome: Insurance cost increase (due to ‘Claim History’)

Your future insurance premiums would likely increase because of a 'fault' or 'partially fault' claim on your record.

Outcome: Loss of accumulated NCB

Your No Claims Bonus (NCB) could be reduced or lost as a result of assigned share of fault.

Outcome: Insurance cost increase (due to discount reduction)

The loss of your accumulated years of no claims directly results in a loss of your no claims discount. This causes an increase cost in your insurance.

Recap: Potential impacts if you claim directly from the other driver's insurer:

Choosing to manage your non-fault claim yourself directly with the other driver's insurer offers some initial advantages for your own policy, but also comes with significant personal responsibilities and potential risks:

Initial benefits for your own policy include:

Not having to pay your policy excess upfront.

Your No Claims Bonus (NCB) isn't immediately risked by a claim being made on your own policy.

If your insurance renews while the claim is ongoing, it won't appear as an 'open claim' on your own policy record, avoiding that specific cause for a premium increase.

However, you must defend your position on liability against experienced claims handlers from the other driver's insurance company.

If you successfully prove the other driver was fully at fault:

You avoid your premium increasing due to any unfair blame being assigned to you.

But, it's important to remember that the non-fault accident being on your claims history can still potentially influence your future insurance premiums.

If you struggle to prove the other driver was fully at fault (and fault is shared or the claim is unsuccessful):

You may end up having to pay your own policy excess.

You could end up with a ‘fault claim’ added to your claim history.

Your future premiums would likely increase due to a 'fault' or 'partially fault' claim being recorded.

Your accumulated years of No Claims could be reduced or lost.

Your no claims discount would be reduced, causing a further increase in cost to your insurance.

This approach requires careful consideration, as the outcome heavily depends on your ability to effectively manage the claim yourself against a professional insurance company.

It’s the number one question drivers ask after an accident they didn’t cause: "How can I stop this from messing up my insurance?”

The Honest Truth First

It's important to know that once you've been in an accident and it’s been reported or claimed, it's almost impossible to guarantee it won't affect your insurance in any way. This is mainly because insurers usually require you to tell them about any accident, even if you weren't at fault and don't claim through them. Just having an accident on your record can sometimes lead to slightly higher prices at renewal, simply because you've been involved in an incident.

But You Can Avoid the Worst Impacts

While you might not be able to wipe the slate completely clean, you can take control and avoid the most common and costly impacts, such as:

Paying your policy excess.
Losing your No Claims Bonus (NCB) and the discount it gives you.
Facing large premium increases because of an 'open' claim or being unfairly blamed.

The Key is How You Claim

As we've shown in the sections above, the way you choose to handle your claim makes the biggest difference:

Claiming with your own insurer puts your policy, excess, and NCB directly at risk from day one.
Claiming yourself avoids some initial risks but puts all the pressure on you, and failure can lead to the same problems (or worse).

The Smartest Way to Minimise the Impact

The most effective way to protect your insurance situation after a non-fault accident is to use a specialist Accident Management Company (AMC) like Auto Claims Assist.

Here’s why this approach helps you avoid the main insurance headaches:

Your Policy Stays Out of It: We claim directly from the at-fault driver's insurer. Because we don't open a claim on your policy, your No Claims Bonus isn't affected, and you won't be asked to pay any excess.
No 'Open Claim' Penalty: Since the claim isn't 'pending' on your policy, you avoid the risk of your premium going up at renewal just because things haven't been settled yet.
Specialists Fight Your Corner: We know how to prove it wasn't your fault. This protects you from being wrongly assigned blame, which is a major cause of increased premiums and lost NCB when dealing directly with insurers.

What Should You Do?

If you've had a non-fault accident and want to protect your insurance as much as possible:

Gather Information: At the scene (if safe), get the other driver's details (name, address, insurance, car registration) and any witness information. Take photos.
Think Before You Call Your Insurer: Many people call their insurer first, but this often starts a claim on their policy automatically.
Call an AMC First: Contact a specialist like Auto Claims Assist. We can assess your situation and, if you choose to proceed with us, we can manage everything without triggering the negative impacts on your own policy.

By choosing the right path from the start, you give yourself the best possible chance of ensuring a non-fault accident has the least possible effect on your insurance costs and record.

I highly recommend Auto Claims Assist! From start to finish, after trying to deal with my insurance company, gave Auto Claims Assist a call and they took all the stress off my shoulders and handled everything with complete professionalism and empathy. They provided me with a higher-grade replacement car and kept the process moving quickly and smoothly.

LM

Lorna, GB

May 1, 2025

I can’t recommend Auto Claims Assist enough! From start to finish, they took all the stress off my shoulders and handled everything with complete professionalism. They provided me with a higher-grade replacement car almost immediately and kept the process moving quickly and smoothly. Their communication was clear, they were always on top of things, and I felt fully supported throughout.

SA

Sujeda, GB

April 29, 2025

Called ACA after my parked car was hit and written off early on a Sunday morning, they dealt with it from start to finish in a helpful and timely manner, they provided a hire car that was to a similar standard of my own vehicle, they dealt with the at fault drivers insurance and sorted out my total loss quickly.

JU

Justin, GB

March 24, 2025

During a stressful time, Ron and the team guided and supported me through the whole process. The team arranged pick up of my car and the delivery of my courtesy car, and contacted me regularly with updates on the progress of the claim. All of the stress was taken from me and was handled in a sympathetic and professional manner. Thank you Auto Claims Assist.

SH

Sharon, GB

April 11, 2025

Call me back Start my claim

When you've been in an accident that wasn't your fault, you want a solution that not only protects your insurance but also makes your life easier during a stressful time.

Looking at all the choices, using a specialist Accident Management Company like Auto Claims Assist consistently proves to be the most beneficial route for non-fault drivers.

Why Choose Auto Claims Assist?

While protecting your No Claims Bonus and avoiding your excess are huge advantages, working with us offers a complete support package designed to get you back on track quickly and smoothly:

Stay mobile with a replacement vehicle - comparable to your own: Don't get stuck without a car. We'll provide you with a like-for-like replacement vehicle, delivered to you, for you to use while yours is off the road. We aim to make sure your daily life isn't disrupted.

Learn about like-for-like replacement vehicles >

We handle everything for you - Don’t worry about a thing: Forget about spending hours on the phone with insurers or chasing garages. We take care of everything – from reporting the claim and dealing with the other driver's insurer to arranging quality repairs and managing the replacement car.

Discover Accident Management >

No cost to you - The other driver’s insurer covers all costs: Our service is provided at no cost to you. We recover all our fees directly from the insurer of the driver who was at fault. It's your legal right to use a service like ours without it hitting your pocket.

Dedicated claims handler - Expert Advice and Support: We are specialists in non-fault claims. This is all we do. Our UK-based team knows the process inside-out and is here to answer your questions in plain English and ensure you're treated fairly.

Your claim managed for you >

Dedicated claims handler after an accident

Choose quality repairs - BSI Kitemark Accredited repair network: We work with a network of BSI Kitemark Accredited repair centres, ensuring your vehicle is repaired to the highest standards.

Learn about our repairs >

A fair total loss settlement - ensuring you’re not left without a proper outcome: If your car is unfortunately damaged beyond repair (a ‘total loss’), we'll help manage the process. We work to ensure you receive a fair market value settlement from the at-fault insurer, fighting your corner if needed. Understanding Total Loss >

Ready to get started or need advice?

Start Your Claim Online Today
Speak to us now 0330 128 1407
Have more questions? Visit our resource page

The team took all the hassle & stress away from me by dealing with the insurers on my behalf. Their communication was excellent, keeping me informed all the way through the process via email, text and phone. I highly recommend them - a top class service.

AP

Alex, GB

March 27, 2025

Someone had crashed into my car while I was parked in a supermarket. I contacted Auto Claims Assist and Ron managed the claim very fast and without any stress. He kept me informed throughout the process, through emails and text messages as he knew I would be busy at work. If you have had a no fault accident I would highly recommend this company.

MA

Mohammed, GB

March 26, 2025

Making a call to an independent company can be a bit daunting but after speaking to the staff I was put at ease who explained the process clearly. My claims handler Ron Parker was friendly and thorough during the claim and kept me informed and updated.

RR

Russel, GB

13 December 2024

I was passed to Auto claims assist to deal with an incident that occurred and they were brilliant. I knew I could call or email if there was any need to. Very helpful and very kind! Everyone who I’ve came into contact with have all been really lovely and helpful.

AT

Alexandra, GB

14 April 2025

Call me back Start my claim

I have comprehensive insurance, will it be affected after a non-fault accident?

Yes, even with comprehensive cover, your policy may still be affected. Comprehensive insurance doesn’t prevent a non-fault accident from being recorded on your claims history. This can lead to higher premiums at renewal, even if the accident wasn’t your fault.

Do I need to inform my insurer about a non-fault accident?

Yes, most insurance policies require you to inform your insurer about any accident you’re involved in, even if it wasn’t your fault and you don’t plan to make a claim through them. It’s always best to check your policy wording to confirm exactly what’s required.

If you don’t intend to claim through your own insurer, make that clear when notifying them. Without this clarification, your insurer may assume they’re handling the claim and begin processing it on your policy. This can result in you being asked to pay your excess and could temporarily affect your no claims discount while liability is being established.

Can I still use Auto Claims Assist if I’ve already told my insurer about the accident?

Yes, as long as a claim hasn’t been started on your policy. If you’ve only reported the accident, we can still handle your claim directly with the at-fault insurer. This helps you avoid paying your excess and protects your no-claims bonus from being affected.

Does using Auto Claims Assist count as a claim on my insurance?

No, because the claim is made directly with the at-fault driver’s insurer, it won’t be registered against your own policy. This helps protect your no-claims bonus and avoid excess payments. However, as your insurer needs to be notified, the accident will still appear on your claims history, and some insurers may view it as an increased risk at renewal.

How long does a non-fault claim stay on my record?

A non-fault claim typically stays on your insurance record for five years, though this can vary depending on the insurer. During this time, insurers may take it into account when calculating your premium.

Will a non-fault accident affect my insurance?

How a non-fault accident affects your insurance

Will my insurance go up? Answered

‘How much’ it affects your insurance comes down to ‘how you claim’

You have 3 main options to claim

Need advice after a non-fault accident?

Claiming Via Your Own Insurer: Potential Impacts

If you claim through your own insurance company:

How your insurance can be affected:

Your insurer starts the process and opens a claim against your own policy

Your insurance might then renew while the claim is still ‘open’

Your insurer is responsible for defending your non-fault position

If your insurer fails defend your non-fault position

If your insurer successfully defends non-fault position

Quick Recap: Potential impacts if you claim via your own insurer

Claiming Via An Accident Management Company: Potential Impacts

If you claim with an Accident Management Company:

Your claim is made against the at-fault driver's insurance

Your insurance might then renew while the claim is still ‘open’

Your position on liability is defended by non-fault specialists

The non-fault accident is added to your claims history

Recap: Potential impacts if you claim via an Accident Management Company

Claiming Via the Other Driver's Insurer directly yourself: Potential Impacts

If you claim with the Other Driver's Insurer directly yourself:

You make your claim directly against the other driver's insurance

Your insurance might then renew while the claim is still ‘open’

You must personally defend your position on liability and manage your claim

If you successfully prove the other driver was fully to blame

If you do not prove the other driver was fully to blame

Recap: Potential impacts if you claim directly from the other driver's insurer:

How to avoid your insurance being affected

The Honest Truth First

But You Can Avoid the Worst Impacts

The Key is How You Claim

The Smartest Way to Minimise the Impact

What Should You Do?

The most beneficial option after a non-fault accident

Why Choose Auto Claims Assist?

Frequently asked questions

I have comprehensive insurance, will it be affected after a non-fault accident?

Do I need to inform my insurer about a non-fault accident?

Can I still use Auto Claims Assist if I’ve already told my insurer about the accident?

Does using Auto Claims Assist count as a claim on my insurance?

How long does a non-fault claim stay on my record?

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