Getting Your Car Fixed After a Non-Fault Accident
Getting into a car accident that isn’t your fault is unpleasant and upsetting. In addition to the frustration, your car will likely need repairs afterwards.
Despite what many may think, you have a legal right to choose where you’d like your car to be repaired. Insurance companies often push for their in-network repairers, prioritising their own cost savings rather than acting in your best interest.
Beyond repair costs, there are other losses to consider after being involved in an accident you did not cause, like needing a replacement vehicle while yours is being repaired. It is not advised to wait when completing repairs after an accident, even if the damage seems minor, as you can have more significant issues later or have difficulty having repairs covered.
Know Your Rights in a Non-Fault Accident
Knowing your rights after a non-fault accident and how to proceed with repairs is essential to getting you back on the road. While having your car repaired is often a headache, it is paramount to take your car to a trusted repair shop of your choice that has experience with non-fault accidents and that deals with insurance companies.
In the UK, your rights following a non-fault accident are protected under English tort law. A tort is a civil wrong that results in physical or financial harm to the claimant. This creates legal liability for the responsible party, and the losses will need to be paid by the at-fault party.
Claiming a Pecuniary Loss
All claims focus on compensation for pecuniary losses, which are the financial losses you deal with due to the accident. This can include costs for repairing your vehicle, any lost wages if you need time off work due to any injuries, prescription costs for medications, and travel expenses. The aim is to restore your financial situation to what it was before getting in the accident.
Claiming for the Loss or Damage of Your Vehicle
If your car was damaged in an accident, you have the right to claim for its repair or total replacement. This includes all the associated costs, such as repairs or any necessary replacement parts. If your car is deemed beyond repair, you should be compensated for its market value before the accident.
Understanding your rights will ensure you can successfully navigate the claims process more effectively and get the compensation you deserve for an accident that was not your fault. It’s essential for you to document all the damages and keep receipts of any expenses paid.
Your Right to Choose Your Repairer
You have the right to choose the repairer for your vehicle instead of using the insurance company’s recommended repairer. This allows you to choose a repairer that you trust, which will ensure you receive high-quality work and is more convenient.
Insurer-recommended repairers may use aftermarket parts, which might invalidate your car’s warranty and affect its overall performance. When you choose your repairer, you maintain more control of your car’s repairs and avoid potential issues in case of another accident.
Replacement Car During Repairs
You are entitled to a replacement car to continue with everyday life during your repairs. This is also known as an uninsured loss because it is not covered by your own insurance policy, especially if you only have third-party coverage. Some insurance policies offer a courtesy vehicle, but it isn’t guaranteed, especially if your car is considered totalled.
A credit hire vehicle may be provided on a non-fault basis, with the costs covered by the at-fault person’s insurer. Under tort law, you have the right to be in the same position you were in before the accident happened, including having access to a car similar to yours.
Information to Help Your Claim
It’s important to gather all the information you can for a successful insurance claim or potentially take legal action. You’ll want to collect the following information:
- Vehicle Information — Make, model, colour, and registration numbers of every car involved
- Driver Information — Names, addresses, phone numbers, insurance details of everyone involved in the accident
- Details of the Accident — Date, time, and location of the accident and how it occurred
- Witness Information — Name and contact information from anyone who witnessed the accident
- Police Report — If the police were called, it is essential to get a copy of their incident report and any of their investigative findings
- Photos and Videos — Photos and videos from the crash site and of any vehicle damages and relevant road signs or signals around the location
Choose Caversham Coachworks Auto Repairs After an Accident
When you take matters into your own hands and choose your auto body repair shop, you’ll likely receive high-quality repairs that use original parts that can maintain your vehicle’s warranty and overall performance. You’ll want to find a repair shop prioritising your vehicle’s safety and longevity, with expert repairs and personalised service that puts your needs first.
At Caversham Coachworks, we want to make post-accident repairs quick and easy. We have experience working with insurance companies and can reduce the stress and hassle that come with repairs and their costs in a non-fault accident. We offer services like alloy wheel refurbishment, cooling systems and air-conditioning maintenance, paintless dent removal, swift same-day repairs, steering component repairs, the use of genuine parts, and electrical system maintenance and refurbishment.
We have convenient locations in Caversham and Abingdon and are here to help with traditional, modern, hybrid, and EV vehicles with our state-of-the-art equipment. Contact us today or use our free and easy estimator tool.