Car Accident
5 min read
How to prove a car accident wasn’t your fault
What is total loss (written off)?
36,000+ happy drivers with Auto Claims Assist
36,000+ happy drivers with Auto Claims Assist
If your vehicle is declared a total loss after an accident, it’s natural to have questions about what this means for you and your claim. Don’t worry - we’re here to guide you through the process and make things as straightforward as possible.
In this guide, we’ll explain what a total loss means, clarify key terms, and show you how we can help you secure a replacement vehicle at no cost to you.
All of this is handled as part of our accident management services during your non-fault claim with us.
A car is usually declared a total loss - commonly known as a “write-off” - for one of two reasons:
“Beyond economical repair” refers to a vehicle where the cost of repairs is higher than what is considered financially reasonable, usually exceeding 60–75% of its pre-accident value (PAV). This is a common term used by insurers and claims management companies to assess whether a vehicle is worth repairing.
For example, if a car had a pre-accident value of £2,000 and the repair costs were estimated at £1,600 (80% of its PAV), it would likely be classified as a total loss - beyond economical repair.
If a vehicle has extensive damage - such as structural damage - it may not be possible to restore it to a roadworthy condition. In these cases, the car is written off to ensure it doesn’t pose a safety risk to anyone, including drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. This decision prioritises the safety of all road users.
Roadworthy and unroadworthy total loss
After an accident, a car can be classified as either a roadworthy total loss or an unroadworthy total loss, depending on the extent of the damage.
A vehicle in this category cannot be legally or safely driven on UK roads due to the severity of the damage. In some cases, the car cannot be repaired to a safe standard, or the cost of repairs would be uneconomical.
This means the car is still safe to drive in its current condition but has damage that makes repairs uneconomical when compared to its pre-accident value.
Understanding these classifications can help you know what to expect as we guide you through the next steps in your claim.
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The process for declaring a vehicle a total loss involves two key steps: assessing its repairability and determining the economic viability of repairs.
Is it safe to be repaired?
A qualified engineer will inspect your vehicle to assess whether it can be safely repaired. If the damage is deemed too severe to restore the car to a safe condition, it will be reported as a total loss at this stage.
Is it economically viable to repair?
If the car is deemed repairable, the engineer will estimate the repair costs. Your claim team will then calculate the vehicle's pre-accident value (PAV). The repair estimate is compared to the PAV to determine whether the repairs are financially viable.
The pre-accident value reflects your vehicle’s worth before the accident. Engineers consider several factors, including:
When you make your claim with Auto Claims Assist, we go the extra mile to ensure your car receives a fair and accurate pre-accident valuation. Whereas, Insurers often provide lower PAV assessments. This can impact:
Looking for a fair valuation and settlement for your vehicle?
If you have a non-fault accident, speak to our specialist to get an independent pre-accident value (PAV) calculation, ensuring a fair settlements.
Under the
Salvage Code.pdf (617KB)
Code of practice for the categorisation of motor vehicle salvage provided by Association of British Insurers (ABI)
Association of British Insurers (ABI)
A recognised-trade association for UK insurance companies.
See detaila vehicle declared a total loss is assigned one of the following categories after inspection by a qualified engineer:
The vehicle is severely damaged, unsafe to drive, and beyond repair. It must be completely scrapped, with no parts salvaged or reused.
The vehicle is severely damaged, unsafe to drive, and beyond repair. While the car itself must be scrapped, some parts may be salvaged and reused.
The vehicle has structural damage, such as a cracked chassis, which can be repaired. However, repairing it may not be economically viable (This was previously known as Category C before 2017).
The vehicle has non-structural damage, such as electrical faults, that can be repaired. As with Category S, repairs may not be financially worthwhile (This was previously known as Category D before 2017).
These categories help clarify the extent of the damage and the potential for repair or reuse of parts.
Straight after an accident, it’s unlikely you’ll know whether your car is a total loss. This determination is made after you begin the non-fault claim process. A qualified engineer will assess the damage to decide if your vehicle is repairable or should be classified as a total loss.
At Auto Claims Assist, we specialise in supporting drivers who were not at fault for a car accident and whose vehicle is now an unroadworthy total loss. (Unfortunately, we are unable to assist with claims for roadworthy total loss vehicles).
To start your non-fault claim, contact Auto Claims Assist as soon as possible after the accident.
Our team will ask key questions about the incident, provide clear guidance, and walk you through the next steps to ensure your claim progresses smoothly.
At Auto Claims Assist, we take the stress out of handling your total loss claim by managing every detail for you. From the moment you contact us, we’ll guide you through the process, ensuring you stay informed and supported every step of the way.
Your rights in a non-fault total loss claim
Auto Claims assist Report an accident> |
Your Own Insurer Compare details> |
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Ensures a fair pre-accident valuation (PAV) |
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Protects your no-claims bonus |
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Provides a comparable replacement vehicle |
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Arranges vehicle recovery |
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Manages all communication |
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Avoids paying excess upfront |
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Handles everything start to finish |
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No cost to you |
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Specialises in non-fault claims |
Our team works with independent engineers to assess your vehicle, determine whether it’s a total loss, and ensure a fair pre-accident valuation. We liaise directly with the at-fault driver’s insurer, handling all communication and paperwork to save you time and hassle.
We’ll provide you with a comparable replacement vehicle, so you can stay mobile while your claim is processed. If necessary, we’ll also arrange for 24/7 recovery of your damaged vehicle. This will be held in our secure vehicle storage until the claim is finalised, your settlement is paid out, and your vehicle is ready to be salvaged.
When you claim with Auto Claims Assist, everything comes at no cost to you. All associated expenses - such as vehicle recovery, storage, replacement hire, claims management and your total loss settlement - are claimed directly from the at-fault driver’s insurance.
This means you won’t face unexpected bills or out-of-pocket expenses while we manage your claim.
Our team handles everything, with all costs covered by the at-fault party’s insurer. Our service prioritises your convenience and peace of mind.
With us, your best interests come first.
Our service prioritises your convenience and peace of mind. Our team handles everything, with all costs covered by the at-fault party’s insurer.
At Auto Claims Assist, we’re proud to help thousands of drivers successfully navigate the process of claiming for a non-fault total loss car accident. Our dedicated approach ensures every customer receives the support they need.
“I honestly cannot emphasise how brilliant this company has been. I stumbled across Auto Claims Assist as I really didn’t want to go through my insurance and lose my excess and have my premiums go up. (I was hit by another driver through no fault of my own and my car was a complete write off). I read the reviews and went for it.
Having been through the process and upon receiving my payout I cannot believe how easy it’s been. They were fast in getting a replacement car out to me which was a brand new version of my car at no cost to myself and Ron my case handler called me frequently to tell me how they were getting on with the other party’s insurer.
To make things better, I was unhappy with the initial ‘market’ valuation I received from the other insurer which was very low, Taya at Auto Claims Assist fought my corner in getting a higher figure for me and will now be able to get a like for like car to replace it. I will always go down this route if I ever get into a similar situation (but hopefully not!) Massive thank you to Ron, Taya and Chloe keep up the good work!”
10/10 service from start to finish - By Emmanuel“Perfect company. All the team were really helpful. My case handler Shadane was amazing. Kept me updated throughout. I received a hire car within a day of my case being filed. My car ended up being a write off and I actually received a lot more than I expected to which was a bonus!”
Perfect Company - By Joshua Cohen“Toni and her team were amazing and big help with my claim. My car was a write off and they sorted everything out. Always answered my emails or phone calls. Big thank you.”
Highly Recommend - By LenkaReference in this article
Document to download
Auto Claims Assist
First contact after a car accident
How to prove a car accident wasn’t your fault
Do I have to pay excess if the accident wasn't my fault
Do I lose my no claims if the accident wasn't my fault
Will A Non Fault Accident Affect My Insurance
Accident Management VS Your Insurance Company
Complete Guide of What To Do In A Car Accident
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