Most UK drivers know the basics. Seatbelts on, stick to the speed limit, don’t text behind the wheel. But when something goes wrong on the road, there’s a big gap between what you’re actually entitled to and what you know about. And that gap? It tends to cost people money they didn’t need to lose.
If you’ve ever been in a non-fault crash and let your insurer run the show, only to come out the other side thinking “that didn’t go well,” one of these five rights could’ve changed things. Here’s what they are, and why they matter.
1. You Can Choose Your Own Repair Garage
Your insurer will almost certainly point you towards one of their approved repairers after an accident. Most people just go with it because they think that’s how it works. It isn’t.
You can pick any garage you want. Your insurer might try to put you off by saying a non-approved repairer could slow things down, but they can’t turn down a reasonable repair bill.
And here’s the thing worth remembering: approved repairers are working for the insurer, not for you. Their job is to keep costs low, and that doesn’t always mean your car gets fixed the way it should be.
2. You Can Use a Claims Management Company Instead of Your Insurer in an Accident
This one surprises most people. If you’re the innocent party in an accident, you don’t have to go through your own insurer at all. You can hand the whole thing over to a third party who’ll deal with everything for you.
It’s pretty simple in practice. If someone runs into you on the road, you contact the company instead of your insurer, and they’ll arrange vehicle recovery, sort out repairs and get you a replacement car while yours is being fixed.
All costs get recovered directly from the at-fault driver’s insurer, so you won’t pay anything. You’ll also dodge your excess payment and your no-claims bonus should stay untouched.
A professional claims management company will take care of all the admin, the phone calls and the constant back-and-forth with the other side’s insurer, which saves you a load of time and hassle.
It’s a right that most drivers have no idea about, and it often leads to a better result than going through your own policy.
3. You’re Entitled to a Like-for-Like Replacement Vehicle
If your car is off the road after a non-fault accident, you’re legally entitled to a replacement vehicle that’s as close to yours as possible. So if you drive a big SUV, you shouldn’t be stuck with a tiny hatchback that doesn’t work for your needs.
A lot of insurers will offer you a basic courtesy car and call it a day. But a courtesy car and a like-for-like hire vehicle are two completely different things. The law says you should be put back in the position you were in before the accident, and that includes driving the same kind of car you’re used to.
4. You Can Refuse Your Insurer’s Settlement Offer
If your car gets written off, your insurer will come to you with a settlement offer based on what they reckon it’s worth. You don’t have to take it. If the number looks low, you can push back with your own evidence.
Look up listings for similar cars with the same age, mileage, spec and condition. Get quotes from dealers. If you can show the market value is higher, they’ll usually bump up their offer.
5. You Can Claim for Diminution in Value
Even after a flawless repair, a car that’s been in an accident is worth less than one that hasn’t. That loss in value is called diminution, and you can claim for it from the at-fault driver’s insurer.
It won’t apply to every car. Older vehicles or ones with high mileage probably won’t see much of a difference. But if you’re driving something relatively new, this claim can be worth hundreds or even thousands of pounds.
Rights You’ve Already Paid For
Knowing your rights is one thing, but actually using them is where it counts. Most drivers just go along with whatever their insurer says because it’s easier, but that easier route often costs more and gets you less. These five rights exist to protect you, and you won’t need a solicitor or any complicated legal process to use them.
