If you have a comprehensive car insurance policy, you should claim from your own insurer. Be aware that you may lose your no claims bonus if your insurer is unable to recover the money from the other driver’s insurer. You will still need to claim from the other driver’s insurer for any injuries you have suffered or any losses which are not covered by your insurance policy.

To make a claim, get a claim form from your insurer, or write to the other driver or their insurer, giving full details of the accident and the driver’s policy number. Tell the insurer about any independent witnesses, and send them any witness statements as soon as possible (you will need to provide estimates if you are claiming on the other driver’s insurance). If you used a broker or an agent to buy your insurance policy, they may help you to prepare your claim. Be sure to keep copies of all documents, including letters, claim forms and statements.

Don’t arrange to have your car repaired without the insurer’s permission, as you will be responsible for the cost. The insurer may ask an engineer or a motor claims assessor to inspect your car, and use an approved repair firm to carry out the work. Alternatively, you may be asked to get estimates yourself, and send them to your insurer for approval before you can go ahead with the repairs. You may have to pay part of the repair costs yourself if your vehicle ends up in a better condition after it has been repaired than it was before.