Make a non-fault claim

A non-fault claim is an insurance claim filed by someone who was not responsible for causing an incident that resulted in damage or loss. This type of claim is directed against the party who was at fault, more specifically their insurance company. By making a non-fault claim, you seek to recover costs for damages or losses without affecting your own insurance, as you were not the liable party.

If you claim through your own insurer, it will initiate as a fault claim on your policy, until liability is established. However, if your insurer doesn't properly fight for and manage the determination of fault, you might end up with a fault or 50/50 claim, even if the accident wasn't your fault. This highlights the importance of having experts who are dedicated to managing these situations.

When you choose Auto Claims Assist, we make your non-fault claim directly against the insurance company of the driver who caused the accident, on your behalf. This helps you to avoid unnecessary claims on your own policy and any potential increases in your costs. We’re here to guide you through your non-fault claim, ensuring the best possible outcome.

It's important to make a non-fault claim if you are not at fault in an accident. Here’s why:

Official Documentation and Legal Compliance:

A non-fault claim ensures everything is documented and processed by legal standards. This is essential for any future claims or references.

Thorough Assessment of Vehicle Damage:

Damages from an accident might not be visible immediately. A professional assessment can identify all damage, ensuring it's properly repaired to maintain your vehicle's functionality and value.

Cost Protection:

Making a non-fault claim covers all repair costs by the at-fault party’s insurer, sparing you any out-of-pocket expenses. Additionally, when you make your claim with us, there’s no excess to pay.

Replacement Vehicle:

If your vehicle is off the road for repairs, a non-fault claim provides a comparable replacement vehicle, minimising disruption to your daily life.

Peace of Mind:

Having specialists manage your claim offers peace of mind, with the assurance that all claim aspects are handled expertly.

Protection Against Future Claims:

A non-fault claim can prevent the at-fault party from making unjust claims against you in the future.

Fair Compensation:

If injuries occur, a non-fault claim is essential to secure fair compensation for any injuries and losses. This is managed through our panel of specialist personal injury solicitors.

Making a non-fault claim addresses your immediate needs and protects your long-term interests. At Auto Claims Assist, we ensure your claim is managed efficiently and with your best interests at heart.

Determining who is at fault in a car accident isn't always straightforward. In some cases, liability is clear, but many accidents involve complex scenarios that need careful analysis to figure out who is legally at fault.

Possible Outcomes in Accident Liability:

At Fault:

One party is clearly responsible due to their actions or failure to act.

Not At Fault:

One party is clearly not responsible and did not contribute to the accident.

Shared Fault:

Both parties share some responsibility for the accident, which can complicate claims.

Determining Fault: Understanding where liability lies involves looking at various factors. These include eyewitness accounts, police reports, traffic laws, and sometimes, video footage. It’s important to collect as much evidence as possible right after the accident.

If you weren’t at fault, Auto Claims Assist can help you make a non-fault claim.

If you're unsure and want to discuss the accident circumstances, speak to one of our accident experts. We can advise whether we can help with your situation.

Start your non-fault claim online →

Call now on 0330 128 1407

Even when you claim with us, insurance policies usually state that you still need to declare the non-fault claim to your insurance company afterwards. Typically, your insurance premium should not increase as a direct result of declaring a non-fault claim. However, all insurers are different and they may assess your overall risk profile. This can be influenced by having been involved in an accident, no matter who was at fault.

If your insurance premium does increase as a result of declaring a non-fault claim, the best routine is to then explore other insurance providers, usually through comparison website such as compare the market or go compare.

Read more on our insurance premium guide →

When you make a claim through your own insurer, even if you were not at fault, the claim is initially recorded against your policy until liability is established. This can put your no-claims bonus at risk, depending on your insurer's policy.

However, when you claim with Auto Claims Assist, we manage your claim by directly engaging with the at-fault driver's insurance company. This approach leaves your insurance policy untouched and ensures your no-claims bonus remains protected.

Read more on our no-claims bonus guide →

With Auto Claims Assist, the type (or level) of car insurance you have does not affect your ability to make a non-fault claim. It also doesn’t affect your non-fault claim in anyway. This is because we handle your claim by directly engaging with the at-fault driver's insurance company and we fight to ensure liability is established.

This approach avoids the limitations and risks associated with claiming on your own policy. It also ensures that you receive everything you’re entitled to as the non-fault driver and all costs are covered by the at-fault party's insurer.

However, if you were to make a claim through your own insurer, the type of insurance you hold could potentially affect different aspects of your claim. For example:

Vehicle Repairs:
Comprehensive insurance usually covers the full cost of repairs to your vehicle, while third-party only or third-party fire and theft policies generally do not cover these costs.

Courtesy Car:
Some comprehensive policies may provide a courtesy car while your vehicle is being repaired, but this is less common with third-party only or third-party fire and theft policies.

Personal Belongings:
Comprehensive policies often include cover for personal belongings damaged or stolen in an accident, while third-party only and third-party fire and theft policies typically do not.

Even if the accident wasn’t your fault, when you claim through your own insurer, the claim is made against your own policy. This means the terms of your policy may apply if liability is not successfully established by your insurer, potentially limiting your coverage or increasing your costs.