OC · AC
A collision is stressful — the repair doesn’t have to be. Here is everything worth knowing about claims under the at-fault driver’s OC (third-party liability) policy and your own AC (comprehensive cover), in plain language.
Stay safe: hazard lights, warning triangle, reflective vest.
Write down the other driver’s details: full name, OC policy number, the name of their insurer and the registration numbers.
Take photos: position of the vehicles, the damage, the scene.
Fill in a joint accident statement. If anyone is injured or the other driver denies fault — call the police.
Send us the photos of the damage. We’ll take care of the rest.
If the accident wasn’t your fault, the other driver’s insurer pays for the repair — you keep your no-claims discount and pay nothing. You are also free to choose any workshop: you don’t have to use the insurer’s network.
If the damage was your fault or the person responsible is unknown, your own AC (comprehensive) policy covers the repair. We’ll check your policy terms — excess, settlement method — and advise you on the best option.
You sign an authorisation for us to settle the claim, and we take over all contact with the insurer: filing, inspection, quote and payment. You don’t pay out of pocket — the invoice goes straight to the insurance company.
The insurer cannot force you to use their repair network. The choice is yours.
If you need a car day to day, an OC claim entitles you to a replacement car for a justified repair period — the rental costs are covered by the insurer.
The repair must restore the car to its pre-accident condition. As a rule you are entitled to new, original parts — with no depreciation deductions or forced cheap substitutes.
The insurer’s quote is often on the low side — and it isn’t final. We’ll prepare our own and back it up.
Minor damage usually takes 2–4 working days, more serious repairs 1–2 weeks. The timeline also depends on the insurer and parts availability; we’ll give you a specific date after the inspection.
Not with a cashless OC repair — we settle directly with the insurer. With AC, your policy’s excess may apply.
No. The claim is charged to the at-fault driver’s policy; your insurance history stays clean.
Not necessarily. Initial quotes are often on the low side. We’ll check the figures, prepare our own quote and agree it with the insurer.
Yes. Choosing the workshop is your right — hand the case over to us and we’ll complete the paperwork.
No. As a rule, OC claims become time-barred 3 years from the day you learned of the damage and the person responsible — and only after 20 years if the damage resulted from a crime. A few months after the collision is no problem at all.
Send us photos — we’ll assess the damage for free and tell you what to do next.
