Motor insurance is full of half-remembered rules passed between drivers. Here are five of the most common beliefs in the UK, and what usually happens in practice.
Myth one: red cars cost more to insure
Colour is not a rating factor for UK insurers. Vehicle group, engine size, repair cost, security and the driver profile are what move a premium.
↑ Back to contentsMyth two: a non-fault accident never affects your premium
A non-fault claim is still recorded on your insurance history, and insurers ask about all incidents, not just ones you caused. Many drivers see little or no change, but a rise is possible, particularly while liability is unresolved.
There is a fuller explanation in our guide on how a non-fault accident affects your insurance.
↑ Back to contentsMyth three: adding a named driver is always cheaper
Adding an experienced driver can reduce a premium. Deliberately naming someone as the main driver when they are not is fronting, which is fraud and can void the policy.
↑ Back to contentsMyth four: protected no-claims means your price cannot rise
Protection preserves the discount, not the underlying price. The base premium can still increase after a claim, so the total you pay may go up even with the discount intact.
↑ Back to contentsMyth five: you must use the insurer's garage
You can normally ask to use a repairer of your choice. Insurers often prefer their own network, and some policies apply conditions, so check your wording and ask before work starts.
↑ Back to contentsFrequently asked questions
The insurance questions drivers ask us most
Straight answers on premiums, excess, write-offs and replacement vehicles, written by our Bristol repair team.
- Non-fault accident: what it means and what to do (UK guide)A plain-English UK guide to non-fault accidents: how liability is decided, your repair and replacement vehicle options, and the mistakes that cost drivers money.
- What to do after a car accident that wasn’t your faultThe exact steps to take at the scene, in the first 24 hours and in the first week after someone else hits your car in the UK.
- Will a non-fault accident affect my insurance? (UK)How a non-fault claim can show on your record, what happens to your premium and what to check with your insurer.
- Do I have to pay my insurance excess?When an excess applies after a non-fault accident, and the practical routes that can avoid paying one up front.
Your next steps
Based on what you have just read, these are the pages most drivers go to next.
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SAR Group is a repair-led accident support and bodyshop business, and your first point of contact after a non-fault accident. We are not an FCA-authorised claims management company: every non-fault case is handled through our authorised and regulated partner network.