What Happens After a Non-Fault Accident in the UK?

Immediately After the Accident

In the minutes after a non-fault accident, focus on three things: safety, evidence, and details. Move to safety, switch on hazard lights, and check for injuries. Call 999 if anyone is hurt. Then, while you're still at the scene:

• Exchange details with the other driver — name, address, phone, insurance, registration
• Photograph both vehicles from all angles, all damage, and the road layout
• Note any witnesses and get their contact details
• Do not admit fault or apologise — even casually
• Save dashcam footage immediately if you have it

Notifying Your Insurer

You must notify your own insurer that an accident occurred — this is almost always a policy requirement. However, notification is not the same as claiming through them. You can notify your insurer and still pursue the claim through Road Claim against the at-fault driver's insurer, keeping your own policy untouched.

Contacting Road Claim

As soon as you're safe, submit your details to Road Claim. A specialist will call you within 1 hour. We will:

• Confirm your entitlement to a free like-for-like replacement vehicle
• Arrange delivery of your replacement car within 24 hours
• Organise recovery of your damaged vehicle if it can't be driven
• Handle all communication with the at-fault driver's insurer
• Register your £75 sign-up bonus

What Happens to Your Claim

Once your claim is submitted, Road Claim notifies the at-fault insurer and requests liability admission. The insurer has 15 business days to acknowledge and 3 months to investigate. In most straightforward cases, liability is agreed within a few weeks.

Your vehicle is assessed, repaired at an approved repairer and returned to you. If it's a total loss (written off), a settlement value is agreed. The entire process typically takes 4–16 weeks — read our detailed claim timeline guide.

Protecting Your Insurance Record

Because Road Claim pursues the claim against the at-fault insurer rather than your own insurer, your no-claims bonus is fully protected and your own insurance premium should not be affected. See our full guide: non-fault accidents and no-claims bonuses.

Frequently Asked Questions