Getting your car repaired
The procedure for getting your car repaired differs depending on what cover you have.

Comprehensive cover

• Advice: ask your insurance company for advice. They may recommend a garage, which may avoid the need to get a separate estimate and can speed up the repair. Many insurance companies have arrangements with recommended garages whereby you will be able to use a courtesy car free of charge whilst repairs are being carried out. You are not obliged, however, to use a recommended garage.
• Estimate: unless you are informed otherwise by your insurer, you should obtain an estimate for the repairs from your garage. Send this to your insurers, who should then authorise repairs subject to your completing a satisfactory claim form.
• Excess: once your car is repaired and if you have an excess on your policy, then you will have to pay the first part of your claim. This is paid directly to the garage, whether or not you were to blame for the accident.
• VAT: if you are VAT registered, pay any VAT due to the garage and claim it back from Custom and Excise. Otherwise your insurer will pay it.
• Confirmation: before commencing repairs you may wish to obtain confirmation from your insurers that they accept liability and will pay the cost of repair.

Third Party, Fire and Theft
This policy does not cover accidental damage to the car, so, unless you can claim against another driver, you will have to pay the repair bill yourself. The procedure for claiming from another party is as follows:

• Inform driver: write to the other driver and inform them you intend to claim from them. Say you hold him responsible and ask him to inform their insurers. Their insurers are only able to deal with your claim if the other driver asks them to.
• Inform their insurers: if you have their details. Quote the other driver's policy or certificate number. Send them a repair estimate and information about the accident. They will either pay the claim, or if they decide you are entirely/ partly responsible they will refuse your claim or suggest a compromise.
• Inform your insurers: that you are claiming against a third party.
• Non-cooperation: the third party may refuse to co-operate. In this case you should seek advice from your insurers, motoring organisation or solicitor. You may have to take legal action against the other driver, but your policy may have a legal expenses section which will cover your costs.