Insurance
How to make a car insurance claim?
Making a car insurance claim and what to do when you are in an accident
Graham Cutbill-White
Last updated: 21/10/2025
Graham Cutbill-White
Last updated: 21/10/2025
Whether you’re learning to drive or have spent decades behind the wheel, purchasing car insurance may seem like a simple precaution that you won’t think about again until renewal time.
Unfortunately accidents can happen to anyone – and so can car theft and vandalism. Having the correct type of car insurance will help make sure that you and other drivers are protected in various circumstances.
In this article, we’ll talk about the different types of car insurance available and the kind of information you need to provide in the event you have to make a claim.
Car insurance is a legal requirement that provides financial protection for drivers if they are involved in an accident or incident which causes damage or injury to another person, animal or vehicle.
The UK government website states: “You must have motor insurance to drive your vehicle on UK roads.
Third party insurance is the legal minimum. This means you’re covered if you have an accident causing damage or injury to any other person, vehicle, animal or property. It does not cover any other costs like repair to your own vehicle.” It also does not cover injury to you or any of your passengers.
Accidents can happen to anyone at any time. A small bump is enough to leave even the most confident driver shaken and a more serious accident can be frightening for everyone involved.
No matter what happens, whether you were at fault or not, it’s important to contact your insurance company as quickly as possible. Your first priority should always be to make sure you and other passengers are safe.
You may have never made a claim and it is possible that you’ll never need to. It’s always best to be prepared and having an idea of what to expect in the event of an accident will help make your claim process as smooth as possible.
Once you know what happened and you’re safely away from traffic, give your insurer a call and they will start processing your claim right away. You’ll be able to find their contact details on your Certificate of Motor Insurance or policy documents.
You should check your policy documents before driving any car. If you’re involved in an accident while driving another car, you should refer to the clause about ‘driving other vehicles’. This will tell you whether you can legally drive another car and any other restrictions.
It is becoming increasingly rare for you to be able to drive someone else’s car without cover, meaning you need to think about your options. Tempcover’s temporary car insurance could be the perfect solution as it will ensure you are legally covered and protected in the event of an accident while driving someone else’s car.
Young drivers (under 25 years old) are unlikely to be allowed to use other cars as they are considered high risk. Even if your policy has a D.O.C clause, it’s likely to exclude them.
As soon as you contact your insurer after an accident, you will be asked to share several key pieces of information. Having them to hand can save both time and stress.
You’ll need to provide the following details to your insurer for admin purposes. All should be available on your policy documents:
You’ll also need to provide the specific details of your claim. This can include:
These details can all help the claim process go as smoothly as possible. Although you may be shaken and upset, you should try and make notes about what happened and when, the exact location, the people involved in the accident and details of any witnesses.
Although it may be difficult, you also may want to take photographs of your car and any other vehicles involved to send to your insurance company.
It’s a good idea to inform the police about what happened, even if it was just a bump. They can give you a crime number if the other person broke the law, including if they didn’t have insurance. You will need to contact them within 24 hours of the incident.
Getting details from any other drivers involved in an accident is important, as this will help the process run as smoothly as possible for everyone. Failing to get their details, if it was their fault, can make it much harder to process your claim.
Before leaving the scene of the incident you should try and get hold of:
If your vehicle is damaged, vandalised or stolen you will still want to make a claim. It’s important to let your insurance company know as soon as possible. In all three of these situations, you’re less likely to have details of other people involved. You should still make notes and share as much information as you can.
If you’re the victim of one of these crimes, contact the police and obtain a crime reference number. While the police start their investigation, you should feed back the relevant details to your insurance company. Again, you need to inform the police within 24 hours of the event to get your report in the system.
Be as open and honest as possible when talking to your insurer and the police. Anything you withhold or change could be seen as a fraudulent insurance claim. This will invalidate both your existing policy and could lead to further action from the police.
Voluntary excess is the amount towards the claim you agreed to cover when you first took out the policy – and, yes, you will have to pay it.
Before your insurance company begins processing your payment, you have to pay the excess. Sometimes, the damage to your vehicle might be less than this. It’s important to make sure you can afford the excess in the event of a claim. Not being able to cover that amount takes away the peace of mind insurance provides.
If you decide to pay for the repairs yourself rather than make a claim, you should still let your insurer know about the incident. Just make it clear you’re only telling them to keep them informed. If you don’t, you could invalidate your insurance further down the line for failing to report an accident or damage.
If you make a claim for repairs worth more than your excess, you could lose any No Claims Discount you’ve accrued, not to mention more paperwork and stress.
Compulsory excess is a fixed amount you must pay towards the cost of a car insurance claim. This is set by your insurance company and there is no opportunity to change it. The amount is based on factors including age, experience and the model of vehicle.
Making a claim could impact the cost of your insurance in the future, most significantly by resetting your No Claims Discount. It’s worth considering the impact of this before you proceed with your claim, as you may prefer to keep the discount for its long-term benefits.
Claiming helps resolve a situation and cover unforeseen costs, but will make you appear more of a risk to insurance companies in the future. You can still find the right policy to suit your financial situation and build back your No Claims Discount over time with safe driving.
Although each claim is different and different insurers will need different information, on the whole the claims process remains very similar.
Short-term car insurance offers a solution to many everyday situations. It allows you to get a flexible and fully comprehensive policy for periods ranging from 1 hour to 28 days and will cover you for damage caused to yourself, your vehicle, other drivers and their vehicles.
You can get a quote in under 2 minutes for temporary car insurance from Tempcover.
Tempcover’s temporary car insurance won’t affect your No Claims Discount. If you’re looking for short-term car insurance, we have the right option for you – and will provide you with fully comprehensive cover for a time that suits your needs.
It is a legal requirement to have car insurance before buying a new car, so make sure you search around for a good deal and choose a policy that works for you when you do. You have the choice of Comprehensive, Third Party or Third Party Fire and Theft if you’re purchasing an annual policy.
Car insurance is likely to be high for new drivers, especially those under the age of 25. If you’re looking for a short-term option before arranging annual car insurance, Tempcover’s temporary car insurance could be a great option.
When you go 12 months without making a car insurance claim, you will get another year added to your No Claims Discount. This will help you save money when it comes to renewing your policy. If you make a claim, you’re likely to lose some or all of your discount but can bring it back up over the years with safe driving. No Claims Bonus is not applicable to temporary car insurance but existing No Claims policies are unaffected by any Tempcover policy.
Car insurance serves as a financial safeguard, protecting you from monetary consequences of accidents, damage, or theft of your vehicle. The coverage extent and payout depend on your chosen insurance level, ranging from third-party only (UK's legal minimum) to fully comprehensive cover, offering maximum protection. Essentially, it ensures peace of mind while driving.
Driving uninsured carries serious consequences, including a £300 fixed penalty and six penalty points on your licence. If taken to court, penalties can escalate to an unlimited fine and potential driving disqualification. Therefore, it's crucial to be properly insured every time you drive.
UK car insurance comes in three types: Third Party Only, Third Party, Fire and Theft, and Comprehensive. Third Party Only, the legal minimum, covers damage to others' cars or property and their injuries if you're at fault. Third Party, Fire and Theft adds coverage for theft or fire damage to your car.
This will depend on individual circumstances. Third party cover, usually but not always the most affordable and legally required car insurance in the UK, covers costs if you damage another's car, property, or cause injury. However, it excludes personal injury or damage to your own vehicle. It's crucial to consider each insurance option's pros and cons to find the most suitable for your needs and budget.
This will depend on your individual requirements. Third-party car insurance covers costs if you damage another's vehicle or property, but not your own. Comprehensive insurance covers both third-party damages and your own. UK law requires at least third-party insurance. Your choice depends on whether you want coverage for potential damages to your own vehicle.
If you cause a car accident, your liability insurance covers the damage to the other person's vehicle and potentially their medical bills, within your policy limits. It's crucial to ensure your coverage is adequate for potential costs. Regularly review your policy and seek professional advice if uncertain, to guarantee full protection on the road.
If you cause a car accident, your insurance covers costs based on your policy. Comprehensive cover handles damage to your vehicle, the other party's vehicle, and public property. However, claims may impact your no-claims bonus and potentially raise future premiums. Always check your policy specifics to understand the coverage in these situations.
Insurance companies typically determine fault in an incident. A claims adjuster reviews evidence, including dash cam footage, interviews with involved parties and witnesses, car damage, and police reports. This meticulous investigation aims to fairly establish who was responsible, ensuring correct liability assignment.
Full comprehensive insurance doesn't guarantee you can drive another's car. Your policy may include a 'Driving Other Cars (DOC)' feature, but it's not universal. Always check your policy details or contact your insurer for confirmation before driving someone else's vehicle.
Before driving another's car, ensure you have suitable insurance, either through your own Drive Other Cars clause, temporary insurance, or being added to the owner's policy. Always seek owner's permission. Check the car's safety features, including fuel, tyre condition, working lights, and essential fluid levels. Finally, confirm the car's documents, such as the registration document (V5C), are correct.
After a car accident, exchange names, addresses, phone numbers, vehicle registration, and insurance details with other drivers. Document the date, time, and location. Gather witness information if possible. Avoid admitting fault at the scene. Call an ambulance and police if there are injuries.
You should report even minor accidents to your insurer, regardless of claiming intentions, as non-disclosure could invalidate your insurance. The other driver may file a claim unexpectedly or your insurer could discover the incident later, leading to serious consequences. Ensure to promptly report the accident, provide all details, and clearly state your intentions. Review your policy for reporting timescales to avoid unexpected costs and future insurability issues.
Car insurance can rise 20-50% after a minor accident, influenced by fault, accident severity, driving history and no-claims bonus impact. Even if not at fault, premiums may increase due to a reduced no-claims discount. Insurance providers calculate premiums differently, causing variation in increases. It's crucial to report accidents to your insurer, understand fault, consider repair costs, and seek the best quote post-claim.
Check your bank statements, emails, or physical paperwork for car insurance details. Alternatively, contact your insurer or broker directly. Use the Motor Insurers' Bureau's 'Navigate' database to verify insurance, though it won't provide policy details. Remember, driving without car insurance is illegal in the UK.
Check your car insurance details on the Motor Insurance Database (MID) website using your vehicle's registration number. For home insurance, review bank statements or emails for insurance-related transactions. If unsure, contact your insurance provider, financial adviser, or broker. Your mortgage provider should have buildings insurance details. If information is untraceable, consider a Data Subject Access Request (DSAR) to your insurer or the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB).
You can verify your vehicle's insurance online using the free Navigate system. It quickly confirms if your policy is recorded, but remember, new policies may take a few days to appear. Therefore, it's advisable to keep your insurance details readily available.
You must report a car accident to the police within 24 hours, a responsibility that cannot be delegated. This applies whether you're a driver or a rider. Prioritise reporting the incident if you find yourself in this situation, as it's crucial for your safety.
In a car accident, stop safely and assess injuries. Call 999 if there are injuries, suspected drink-driving, or a blocked road. Don't admit fault. Swap contact and insurance details with other drivers, photograph the scene. Report the incident to police and insurance company promptly, adhering to their advice. Legally, any accident causing injury or significant damage must be reported to the police within 24 hours.
In a car accident, stop immediately as required by law. Prioritise safety by checking for injuries, activating hazard lights, and moving your car if it's obstructing and safe. Call emergency services for injuries or substantial damage. Exchange details with the other driver, document the scene, and report to your insurance provider promptly.
If you collide with another vehicle, promptly report it to the police and your insurance provider. Note the other car's make, model, colour, and registration. You may be able to claim compensation even if the other driver is uninsured or untraceable. Always be honest in insurance dealings.
It's essential to promptly inform your insurance provider if you're involved in an accident, even if you don't intend to claim. Should injuries occur, present your insurance certificate to the police. This guarantees protection for all parties and accurate, swift claim processing. Transparency with your insurer is key to maintaining effective car insurance cover.
In the UK, not reporting a car accident within 24 hours is illegal, potentially resulting in fines, up to 10 penalty points on your licence, disqualification from driving, or imprisonment. It's vital to stop at the scene, share your details, and report to the police within 24 hours. Failure to report within 48 hours may also invalidate your insurance.
Related tags:
Temporary Car InsuranceCar AccidentCar InsuranceCar Insurance ClaimsPolicy ExcessShort Term Insurance