Checked against official sources on 2026-11-04
Route 1: through your own insurer
If you have comprehensive cover, you can claim on your own policy. Your insurer repairs your car, then chases the other driver's insurer for the money itself.
The catch is the excess. Many insurers ask for it upfront and refund or waive it once the other driver's fault is accepted, which is much easier if you can give them the other driver's name, address and registration. A replacement car is usually only included if your policy has hire car cover. Check your policy terms.
Route 2: directly from the at-fault driver's insurer
You can claim your repairs and other reasonable losses straight from the at-fault driver or their insurer. This is often called a not-at-fault or third-party claim. It does not go through your policy, so your own excess does not apply, and it works whatever cover you hold, even if you only have third party property or no insurance at all.
The catch is that you are dealing with an insurer that isn't yours. They will want evidence, may dispute fault, and can be slow to reply. This is the part most people find exhausting.
Which one suits you
- Comprehensive cover, small damage, happy to pay the excess and wait for a refund: your own insurer is simple.
- Third party only, or no insurance: claim against the other driver or their insurer.
- You need a car for work or family while yours is off the road, and your policy has no hire car cover: the not-at-fault route lets the replacement car be claimed as a loss.
- You don't have time for phone calls and emails with an insurer: hand it to someone who does this every day.
Whichever route you choose
- Tell your own insurer about the accident if your policy requires it, even if you claim from the other side.
- Keep the other driver's details, your photos and any police event number together.
- Don't sign anything you don't understand, including a tow or hire form at the scene.
How MotorClaim helps
We take the not-at-fault route for you: we deal with the other driver's insurer, arrange repairs and, if you're eligible, a replacement car while yours is off the road. You keep going to work. Recovery depends on liability and evidence and is never guaranteed; we tell you upfront if your situation doesn't fit.
Common questions
- Will I pay an excess if the other driver was at fault?
- Not if you claim directly from the at-fault driver or their insurer, because your policy isn't used. Through your own insurer you may pay it first and get it back once fault is accepted, depending on your policy.
- Can I claim from the other driver if I only have third party insurance?
- Yes. A claim against the at-fault driver or their insurer doesn't depend on what cover you hold.
- Is going through the other driver's insurer slower?
- It can be, mainly because they may ask for more evidence or dispute fault. Having photos, their details and a police event number ready makes it faster.
Sources
General information only, not legal advice. Your situation depends on the facts and the terms you sign.
