The car accident claim process
- What to do directly after a car accident
- Enquire with Auto Claims Assist
- Getting recovered from the roadside
- We’ll take down the details of the accident
- Assessing Liability
- Auto Claims Assist driver checks & claim acceptance
The vehicle is unroadworthy
Unroadworthy repairable- Replacement comparable vehicle is provided
- The claim is passed to our monitoring team
- We fight for liability throughout
- Repairer instructed from our specialist repair network
- The repairer will collect your vehicle from where it is
- Repair estimate created and declared to the insurer
- Repair is authorised by the third-party insurer
- Parts and paints are ordered in - The repair begins
- Back on the road and your hire car is collected
- All costs are claimed back from third party insurer
Unroadworthy total loss- Replacement comparable vehicle is provided
- The claim is passed to our monitoring team
- We continue to fight for liability, even after payment
- Engineer instructed to value the pre-accident valuation
- Engineers report is agreed by you
- Valuation & payment request sent to third-party insurer
- Use of hire car for 7 days while you source a new vehicle
- Additional support to get you back on the road
The vehicle is roadworthy
Roadworthy repairable- We begin by fighting for liability
- Repairer instructed and repairs authorisation are granted
- We book in a date for your vehicle's repair
- Comparable replacement hire car is arranged
- Repairs are completed and your car is back on the road
- Replacement hire car is collected within 24 hours
- Payment is requested from the third-party insurer
Roadworthy total loss
- What to do directly after a car accident
- Enquire with Auto Claims Assist
- Getting recovered from the roadside
- We’ll take down the details of the accident
- Assessing Liability
- Auto Claims Assist driver checks & claim acceptance
- The vehicle is unroadworthy
- Unroadworthy repairable
- Replacement comparable vehicle is provided
- The claim is passed to our monitoring team
- We fight for liability throughout
- Repairer instructed from our specialist repair network
- The repairer will collect your vehicle from where it is
- Repair estimate created and declared to the insurer
- Repair is authorised by the third-party insurer
- Parts and paints are ordered in - The repair begins
- Back on the road and your hire car is collected
- All costs are claimed back from third party insurer
- Unroadworthy total loss
- Replacement comparable vehicle is provided
- The claim is passed to our monitoring team
- We continue to fight for liability, even after payment
- Engineer instructed to value the pre-accident valuation
- Engineers report is agreed by you
- Valuation & payment request sent to third-party insurer
- Use of hire car for 7 days while you source a new vehicle
- Additional support to get you back on the road
- The vehicle is roadworthy
- Roadworthy repairable
- We begin by fighting for liability
- Repairer instructed and repairs authorisation are granted
- We book in a date for your vehicle's repair
- Comparable replacement hire car is arranged
- Repairs are completed and your car is back on the road
- Replacement hire car is collected within 24 hours
- Payment is requested from the third-party insurer
- Roadworthy total loss
Roadworthy Total Loss: An Overview
After an accident, your car might be considered a "roadworthy total loss" (also called a "write-off").
What Does "Roadworthy Total Loss" Mean?
Your car is a roadworthy total loss if it's still safe to drive but the cost to repair it is more than 65-70% of its pre-accident value.
Why Insurers Write Off Roadworthy Cars
When a car is considered a roadworthy total loss, insurers deem it 'uneconomical to repair.' This means the combined cost of repairs and associated expenses (e.g. providing a courtesy car) exceeds the car's pre-accident value. In such cases, it's more cost-effective for the insurer to pay you the car's value before the accident rather than cover the extensive repairs.
Unfortunately, We Don't Handle Roadworthy Total Loss Claims
As an accident management company, we are able to provide claims management services by also providing replacement vehicles and supporting with accident repairs.
Since roadworthy total loss claims don't involve replacement vehicles or repairs, we don't handle them directly.
What to Do if Your Car is a Roadworthy Total Loss
If you think your car might be a roadworthy total loss, it's important to get professional advice first to confirm this. We can help you determine if your car is a roadworthy total loss. If it is, we can provide guidance on the options available and help you make an informed decision.
We Recommend:
- Talk to us: Our team can help you figure out what type of claim you have and what your options are.
- Get an expert opinion: If you're not sure about the value of your car, an independent expert can assess it for you. This will help you get a fair settlement from the other at-fault driver's insurance company.
Claiming Directly or Through Your Insurer
If we confirm that your vehicle is a roadworthy total loss, you can either claim directly through the at-fault driver's insurance or through your own insurer. But remember, claiming through your own insurance could:
We usually recommend not going through your own insurance first, but we can help you understand the pros and cons of each option.
Key Takeaway
It's always a good idea to talk to us first if you've been in a non-fault accident. We'll give you an honest and expert advice to help you make the right decision for your specific situation.