FAQs
An optional amount you agree to pay
This is the amount you choose to pay towards a claim after an accident, on top of the mandatory excess. You pick this amount when you first get or renew the policy.Reduces your insurance premiums
Choosing a voluntary excess lowers your insurance cost. The more voluntary excess you choose, the cheaper your premiums.
A non-negotiable fee
This is the fixed amount you must pay for any claim you make on your car insurance.
Typically higher for riskier drivers
Younger drivers, those with little claims-free driving history, or those with high-performance cars may have higher compulsory excesses.
Set by your insurer
Your insurer sets the compulsory excess. It is usually based on factors like your age, driving experience, make and model of car, and location. They do this at the start of your policy. They also review this at each renewal of your policy.
Understand how the excess is calculated after a non-fault accident
How much will my excess be if I claim with my own insurer after a non-fault accident?
Contacting and claiming with your own insurance company after a non-fault accident can force you to pay your policy’s full excess.
Calculating your total excess
Remember, your total excess is made up of:
- Your policy compulsory excess
- Your policy voluntary excess
Excess amounts can differ for everyone. They depend on each person’s insurance policy. To claim, your insurer will require you to pay the full excess. To make a non-fault claim, insurers require non-fault drivers to pay their total excess. This total amount is the sum of your compulsory and voluntary excess. It can be an unexpected cost. Knowing that the accident wasn’t your fault, this is frustrating. It’s also an unnecessary expense.
Remember: Non-fault drivers should avoid claiming with their insurer. Many are unaware of this. Instead, using an accident management company can cut your excess.
After a non-fault accident, you have options available to you. The accident management/credit hire option offers many benefits over handling a claim directly with your insurance company. It’s also a clear option for drivers concerned about, ‘Will a non-fault accident affect my insurance?’.
For expert assistance and to ensure your non-fault accident doesn’t unfairly impact your insurance, contact us on 0330 043 4740 or start your claim here.
Whether the accident was your fault or not, you must tell your insurance provider. This is necessary, even if you don’t plan to claim. But, this doesn’t mean you should contact your insurance company first after a non-fault accident. After an accident that’s not your fault, the best first step is to contact an accident claims management company. They can handle your claim expertly as an independent and supportive party. An accident management company, like Honest Driver, will make sure your insurer knows about the accident.
If the accident was not your fault, you will need to pay your policy excess if you choose to process a non-fault claim through your insurance company. If you work with an accident claims management company for your non-fault accident claim, you will not have to pay any excess or costs. This is part of the accident claims service. The claim will be sent directly to the at-fault party’s insurance company.
If you file an accident claim not your fault with your insurer, you might lose your no claims bonus and discount.
An accident management company’s claim process prevents your policy from being used for the initial claim. As a result, your no claims bonus is safe.
Your insurance premiums may increase in 2 ways after an non-fault accident.
First, if you choose to claim directly through your insurance rather than working with an accident management company when the accident was not your fault, you may get a big increase when you renew. This is due to the pending claim against your policy.
The accident claim is not yet done. Your policy could still become liable for the accident and you’ll need to pay this increase to keep your policy.
After your claim ends, you’ll be officially certified as the not-at-fault driver. Your policy will mark the accident as non-fault. Yet, some insurers view non-fault accidents as risky. So, they might raise your premium.
You can use an Accident Claims Management service with a Credit Hire Company if you are in a non-fault car accident. Insurance companies work to keep costs low when their customers are in an accident. The Accident Management market focuses on the non-fault driver’s needs. It provides a service that helps the driver claim costs and losses from the at-fault driver’s insurance.
The Accident Management market continues to be the better choice for non-fault drivers. The insurance market works to control and manage non-fault claims and processes. This creates lots of information directing both fault and non-fault drivers to go to their insurance companies first after a road traffic accident.
Your case handler will provide you with regular updates, however if you still wish to contact us, you can contact your case handler directly.
Prior to receiving the vehicle, we will have discussed the category of the vehicle we intend to provide, ensuring that it aligns with your requirements. If this is not the case, please reach out to us, and we will assist you.
Once your vehicle has been repaired or deemed a total loss, we will collect the replacement vehicle from you and arrange the return of your repaired vehicle/payout.
Initially, follow all the precautions you would take in any accident and try to stay calm.
Ensure that you and others move to a safe location. If necessary, contact the emergency services.
Once you are in a secure place, please contact Horizon promptly at 0330 043 4740 so that we can provide assistance as quickly as possible.
If possible, take photos of the vehicles and the situation; this would be beneficial. Additionally, gather any witness details and exchange information
with the third party involved.
Yes, as part of our services, we offer replacement vehicles to ensure you experience minimal disruption until your claim reaches an end.
We don’t charge for valeting as long as you return the vehicle in an acceptable condition. Any significant stains or dirt might result in a charge. You must return our cars with the same level of fuel provided at handover.
