Car Insurance Claims in the UK - Introduction & Index

If you are looking for information on how to claim or what to do in the event of an accident please visit your particular insurers website by following any of the links on this site.
For helpful information on what to do in the event of an accident we suggest you read our accident claims page .

An Introduction to Car Insurance claims and the claiming process

A car insurance policy is a document containing a pledge by the insurers that they will indemnify the insured, subject to the terms, conditions and exceptions of the policy, against loss or damage which may be sustained or liability which may be incurred at some future time.
In exchange for his premium the insured had not received anything tangible; he has been given an ‘intangible’ in the form of a promise to make good his loss if one of the events described in the policy occurs.
Some members of society are reluctant to insure for this very reason, because they do not immediately receive anything tangible in return for their premium, however this reluctance will not protect them from the statutory powers of the Road Traffic Act if driving uninsured.

The Motor Insurer’s ‘product’ in the form of a car insurance policy therefore, is its promise to indemnify the insured in the event of loss or damage or liability being incurred at some future date and in the same way as with manufacturing and other commercial concerns, it is the insurer’s ability to ‘deliver the goods’ when called upon to do so that will decide whether or not a reputation for good car insurance service, reliability and efficiency will be acquired.

Car Insurance companies are judged by the public for their claims records as much as they are for cheaper or quality cover.
It would be true to say that the efficiency of a claims department will do more to improve the company’s reputation than all the underwriting, marketing, promotion, systems and accounts departments put together.

In simple terms, the claims side of the Car Insurance business produces the ‘acid test’ when the insured sees just what he receives in return for his premium and if he is not satisfied with the ‘product’, only harm can be done.
All too frequently however, cases have occurred where an insured has not understood the terms of his policy and has blamed his insurers when they failed to meet a claim not covered by the policy.
All car insurance advertisers on this site publish their policies online and we strongly recommend that you read these in detail and telephone the company concerned if there is something in the policy that you do not understand

The Insurance Press is full of articles about the need to improve the standards and communication between the insurers and the insuring public and this is particularly true in the area of claims settlements.
The various methods of handling motor insurance claims and the examination of the mechanism which lies behind the process should be considered if the reason for Claims disputes is to be understood.

Car Insurance Claims Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I have an accident
Where can I find an Accident Claims Solicitor
What is the role of the Motor Insurers Bureau
What are Car Insurance Claims?
How is the Claim Process controlled?
Fire Theft & Acident claims explained
What is on a Claim Form?
How do I know I'm if I'm covered
Why would a car insurance company deny liability?
What is an Insurable Interest
How do I go about getting the damage repaired?
What are approved repairers?
Who pays for towing charges?
What happens if my car is a write off?
Who decides my cars market value?
What was the World's worst car insurance claim?

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