Most of the problems drivers run into after a non-fault accident come from a handful of avoidable decisions made in the first few days. Here are the ones we see most often.
Settling at the roadside
Agreeing a cash figure before the damage has been assessed is the most expensive mistake of all. Modern bumpers hide sensors, brackets and crash structure, and a repair that looks like a few hundred pounds can be several times that once it is stripped down.
↑ Back to contentsDriving a vehicle that should not be driven
If there are airbag warnings, fluid leaks, steering pull, damaged lights or anything loose or sharp, stop driving it. "It seems fine" is an assumption until someone has inspected it.
↑ Back to contentsLosing your evidence
Dashcam footage is usually overwritten within days. Save the file off the device the same day, back it up, and keep every photograph and note you made at the scene.
↑ Back to contentsNot telling your own insurer
Most policies require you to notify any incident, even one you do not intend to claim for. Notifying is not the same as claiming, and failing to notify can cause problems later.
↑ Back to contentsNot asking how the repair will be done
You are entitled to know what parts will be fitted, what methods will be used and how the paint will be matched. A good bodyshop will answer all three without hesitation.
- Ask about parts specification.
- Ask about structural alignment where relevant.
- Ask what the final quality inspection covers.
Signing paperwork you have not read
Whether it is a hire agreement or a repair authority, read it. If anything is unclear, ask before you sign, no reputable business will object.
↑ 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.