What Type Of Insurance Covers Vehicle Repairs?
The level of cover you have determines whether your car repairs are included after an accident. Here are the most common types of car insurance in the UK and what they typically cover:
- Comprehensive cover: This is the highest level of protection and covers damage to both your own vehicle and third-party vehicles, regardless of who is at fault. If you’re in an accident, your insurer could usually cover the cost of repairs for your car.
- Third-party, fire, and theft: This type of policy covers damage to other people’s vehicles and property but only may protect your car against fire damage and theft. Any accident-related repairs to your vehicle would not be covered.
- Third-party only: The most basic level of cover required by law in the UK, this type of insurance covers damages to other vehicles or property if you are at fault, but it won’t cover the cost of repairs to your own car.
It’s regularly a sensible option to understand the level of cover you have before making a claim, as it might affect whether or not your insurance might cover your repair costs.
What Happens If The Accident Was Your Fault?
If you were at fault for the accident, your insurance cover becomes top priority in determining who pays for the repairs. With comprehensive insurance, your own vehicle’s repairs may generally be covered by your insurer, regardless of fault. However, this might impact your no-claims discount (NCD) and could lead to higher premiums in the future.
On the other hand, if you have a third-party only or third-party, fire, and theft policy, you’ll be responsible for covering the repair costs for your car. Your insurance may only cover damage to the other party’s vehicle or property.
In the case of being found at fault, it’s important to consider the potential impact on your no-claims discount and how much excess you’ll need to pay, as this may affect the overall cost of the incident.
What If The Other Driver Was At Fault?
If the other driver was at fault for the accident, their insurance should cover the cost of repairs to your vehicle. This means that, in most cases, you won’t need to pay for repairs out of pocket, and your no-claims discount should remain unaffected.
Here’s what typically happens in this situation:
- Claim through the other driver’s insurance: You’ll need to provide details of the accident and the other driver’s insurance information. Their insurer may usually cover the cost of repairing your vehicle.
- Hire a car whilst your vehicle is being repaired: If your car is off the road for repairs, you may be entitled to a courtesy car, depending on your policy or the other driver’s insurance.
- Disputes: If there’s disagreement over who is at fault, the process may take longer. Having evidence such as dashcam footage or witness statements can help speed up the resolution.
It’s always advisable to report the accident to your insurer, even if you’re not at fault, so they can assist with the claims process and provide guidance on the next steps.
How Does The Claims Process Work?
After an accident, the claims process for car repairs typically follows these steps:
- Report the accident: Contact your insurer as soon as possible to report the incident. Provide details such as the date, time, location, and circumstances of the accident, along with any other driver’s information.
- Assessment of damage: Your insurer may usually ask you to take your car to an approved garage for an assessment of the damage. The garage may provide a quote for the repairs, which your insurer may review.
- Approval of repairs: If your insurer approves the claim, the repairs might go ahead, and you may be provided with a courtesy car if your policy includes this benefit.
- Pay your excess: If you’re claiming on your own policy, you’ll need to pay the agreed excess before the repairs are carried out. This is the amount you contribute towards the cost of the claim.
Once the repairs are completed, you can collect your car, and the insurer may settle the bill with the repair shop. In cases where the other driver is at fault, their insurer may cover the cost of your repairs.
What Is An Insurance Excess And How Does It Affect Repairs?
When making a claim on your car insurance, you’ll be required to pay an excess. This is the portion of the repair costs you are responsible for, with your insurer covering the rest. The excess is typically made up of two parts:
- Compulsory excess: Set by your insurer, this is the minimum amount you must pay when making a claim.
- Voluntary excess: This is an additional amount you can choose to pay on top of the compulsory excess. Opting for a higher voluntary excess can reduce your overall premium, but it also means you’ll pay more if you need to make a claim.
The total excess amount could be deducted from the final repair cost. For example, if the repair bill is £1,000 and your excess is £250, you could pay the first £250, and your insurer could cover the remaining £750.
Will Making A Claim Affect Your No-Claims Discount?
Making a claim on your car insurance can affect your no-claims discount, especially if the accident was your fault. A no-claims discount is a reduction in your premium for each year that you don’t make a claim. However, if you do make a claim, particularly for an at-fault accident, your no-claims discount may be reduced or lost altogether.
Some policies offer no-claims discount protection, which allows you to make a certain number of claims without losing your discount. It’s worth checking whether your policy includes this feature if you’re concerned about the impact of a claim on your future premiums.
What If Your Car Is Written Off?
In some cases, the cost of repairing your car may exceed its market value. When this happens, your insurer may decide that the car is a total loss, also known as being “written off.” If your car is written off, the insurer may usually offer a payout based on the market value of the car just before the accident.
Here’s what you can expect if your car is written off:
- Market value payout: Your insurer might assess the value of your car at the time of the accident and offer a payout based on this amount.
- Deducting your excess: Your excess might still apply in the case of a total loss, and it might be deducted from the payout.
- Options for buying back the car: In some cases, you may be able to buy back the car from your insurer if you wish to repair it yourself, although this is usually only an option if the car has minimal damage.
If your car is written off, it’s important to understand how your payout may be calculated and what options you have for replacing the vehicle.
Conclusion: What To Expect When Making A Claim For Repairs
Understanding what your car insurance covers is recommended when it comes to repairs after an accident. Comprehensive policies typically cover the cost of repairing your own vehicle, whilst third-party policies may leave you responsible for repairs. The claims process is straightforward, but it’s important to know what your excess is and how a claim might affect your no-claims discount.
If you’re looking for car insurance that suits your needs, including repair cover, compare quotes today to look for the right policy for you.
Why not get quotes now?