Non-fault accident claims and replacement cars

What counts as a non-fault accident?

One where another driver was to blame and you weren't. Typical examples:

• you were hit from behind while stopped in traffic or at lights
• someone pulled out of a side road, a driveway or a parking space into you
• another driver reversed into you
• your car was hit while it was parked
• a driver changed lanes into the side of your car

What matters is whether the other driver, or their insurer, accepts the blame, or whether the evidence shows it was theirs. If you were both partly at fault, insurers can split liability between you, and then it isn't a straight non-fault claim. Tell us what happened and we'll give you an honest view of where it's likely to land.

Why call us before your own insurer?

Because of what usually happens if you ring your insurer first. Many will deal with it through your own policy. That can mean paying your excess up front and waiting to get it back once they've recovered it from the other side, with an open claim on your policy in the meantime.

Come to us first and we make the claim directly against the at-fault driver's insurer. Your own policy isn't used for the repair.

You should still tell your insurer the accident happened. Most policies say you must report any incident, even one you aren't claiming for. Tell them it wasn't your fault and that Newbridge is handling the claim against the other driver's insurer.

What our claims handling team does

Once you've called, our claims handling team deals with the at-fault driver's insurer, so you aren't the one on the phone to them. Alongside the repair costs, we pursue any other compensation you're owed on your behalf. You choose which of our three sites does the work, and the repair carries the same lifetime guarantee as any other job we do. Our accident repairs page explains what happens to the car in the bodyshop, and covers the at-fault route if it turns out the blame is shared or yours.

What you get

• A replacement vehicle similar to yours while yours is repaired, at no cost to you
• No excess to pay
• No claim on your own policy, so your no claims bonus is left alone
• Independent insurance engineers to inspect the car and agree the repair costs
• A fair written valuation if the car isn't economical to repair
• Any compensation you're owed, pursued on your behalf
• Recovery if your car can't be driven, and a valet before it comes back to you

Your non-fault accident replacement car

While your car is in the bodyshop, you drive something similar to it, at no cost to you. That's different from the courtesy car an insurer usually offers on an at-fault claim, which tends to be a small hatchback whatever you normally drive. Our article on courtesy cars and replacement cars sets out the difference.

What we need from you

Have these ready when you call, or send them over afterwards:

• the other driver's name, address, phone number and registration
• their insurance details, if you got them
• photos of both cars, the damage and the scene, including road markings or signs if they help show what happened
• names and phone numbers of any witnesses
• the police reference number, if the police were involved
• dashcam footage, if you have it

Missing some of it? Call anyway. The other car's registration and a few clear photos are often enough to get started.

If the other driver disputes it, wasn't insured or drove off

These claims take longer, and we won't promise an outcome on any of them.

The other driver disputes liability

Sometimes the other driver gives their insurer a different version of events. The claim then comes down to evidence: your photos, witness statements, dashcam footage and any police report. Some disputed claims end with liability split between both drivers.

The other driver wasn't insured

The claim normally goes to the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB), which handles these under its Uninsured Drivers' Agreement. Report the accident to the police. Check your own policy too, because many fully comp policies include an uninsured driver promise.

The driver didn't stop

If the driver can't be traced, the MIB's Untraced Drivers' Agreement applies instead. Report it to the police as soon as you can and keep the reference number.

Our guide to being hit by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver goes through both in more depth.

How non-fault accident claims work, step by step

1. At the scene, stop. If anyone's hurt or the road is blocked, call 999. Swap names, addresses, registrations and insurance details, and take photos. If you can't swap details, report it to the police as soon as possible and within 24 hours.
2. Call your nearest Newbridge site before your own insurer. We take the details and check it looks like a non-fault claim.
3. Let your own insurer know the accident happened.
4. We contact the at-fault driver's insurer and arrange your replacement vehicle.
5. We get your car in. If it can't be driven, we can recover it. If it can, bring it to us or ask about our mobile estimate service.
6. An independent engineer inspects the car and agrees the repair costs, or gives a fair written valuation if it isn't economical to repair.
7. We repair the car, check it over and hand it back, and you return the replacement.
8. We recover the costs from the at-fault insurer and pursue the rest of your compensation.

Where to call

For south Essex, including Wickford, Billericay and Rayleigh, call our Basildon accident repair centre on 01268 590 722. Dartford, Gravesend, Swanley and Bexleyheath drivers should ring Newbridge Dartford on 01322 930 719. In South London, our Sydenham bodyshop is on 020 8659 2221, six to eight minutes' drive from Beckenham, Forest Hill and Catford.

If the car's driveable and you'd rather start with photos, send them through our quote form and mention it was a non-fault accident.

Each site's Google reviews are public if you'd like to see how other drivers got on: Basildon reviews, Dartford reviews and Sydenham reviews.