How long do car insurance claims take to settle?
Most car insurance claims in the UK take from a week for simple repairs to 12–18 months for serious accidents, with average settlement times now stretching to almost a year for property damage claims.
Timeframes vary because not all claims are alike. A minor scrape or cosmetic repair might be resolved in about a week, while a write-off often takes up to a month to process once the vehicle’s value is agreed. At the other extreme, major accidents involving injury or litigation can stretch well beyond a year. Industry data shows that the average property damage claim in the UK took 353 days to settle in 2023, compared to 287 days in 2019, reflecting longer repair lead times and more complex vehicles.
The wider picture also explains the delays. In Q2 2025 alone, insurers settled 669,000 claims at a cost of £3.1 billion. With claim volumes rising and repairs taking longer, settlement times are being pushed further out.
This article explores what the average claim looks like, how insurers process them, why certain claims drag on, and what you can do to speed up the process.
What is the average timeframe for car insurance claims?
The average timeframe for UK car insurance claims ranges from about a week for minor repairs to over a year for complex or disputed cases.
For straightforward claims, such as a cosmetic repair after a small bump, settlement can be rapid—often within a week once estimates are approved. If the vehicle is written off, the process usually takes longer, typically up to a month, as insurers must value the car, agree terms with the policyholder, and arrange collection.
Disputes or major accidents are another story. Where liability is contested or personal injury is involved, claims can take 12 to 18 months to conclude. Data from the Association of British Insurers shows how the trend is lengthening: property damage claims averaged 287 days to settle in 2019, but by 2023 this had risen to 353 days, driven by parts shortages and more complex repair work.
Here’s how settlement times often break down:
| Claim Type | Typical Settlement Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Minor cosmetic damage | ~1 week | Quick approval once evidence is supplied |
| Vehicle write-off | Up to 1 month | Requires valuation, agreement, and collection |
| Complex/disputed claim | Several months | Liability challenges and evidence gathering delay outcomes |
| Major accident with injury | 12–18 months | Medical reports, treatment, and possible litigation extend process |
| Property damage (average 2023) | 353 days | Up from 287 in 2019 due to longer repair lead times |
The figures show why drivers often feel frustrated. While insurers aim to settle quickly, the reality is that increasing claim volumes and more sophisticated vehicles are stretching average timelines year after year.
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Get QuotesHow do insurers process a claim step by step?
Insurers follow a structured process: you report the accident, they gather evidence, decide liability, and then arrange repairs or a payout.
The first step is reporting. Most policies require you to notify your insurer within 24 hours, even if you don’t plan to make a claim. From there, the insurer collects details of the accident, including photographs, witness accounts, and sometimes police reports. This information helps establish liability—whether you’re at fault, partly at fault, or not at fault at all.
Once liability is assessed, the claim moves into settlement. If your car is repairable, the insurer authorises work through an approved garage. Recent data shows that repair times have lengthened, with average lead times rising from 15 to 31 days between 2019 and 2023, and repair durations stretching from 11 to 15 days. This alone explains why settlements now take longer.
In cases of write-offs, insurers determine the pre-accident value of the car and negotiate a payout with you, usually within a few weeks. Injury claims take longer because medical reports and treatment progress must be documented before compensation is agreed.
Documents you should prepare to speed up a claim:
- Photos of vehicle damage and the accident scene
- Witness contact details
- Police report or reference number if applicable
- Repair estimates or invoices
- Medical records if injury is involved
This step-by-step process is designed to ensure claims are settled fairly, but each stage introduces opportunities for delay if information is missing or disputed.
Do certain factors make claims take longer?
Yes. Claims take longer when liability is disputed, multiple vehicles are involved, or injuries and uninsured drivers are part of the case.
Straightforward claims—such as a rear-end collision with clear fault—can be processed quickly. But when both drivers dispute responsibility, insurers may have to examine witness statements, dashcam footage, and accident reconstruction reports. This back-and-forth can extend settlement times from weeks to months.
Multi-vehicle crashes also complicate matters. With several insurers negotiating liability and costs, progress slows. Likewise, if one driver is uninsured or untraceable, the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) must step in. In 2022, the MIB handled around 26,000 such cases, many of which dragged on due to the additional legal process.
Injury claims introduce further delays. Even minor whiplash claims require medical evidence and treatment updates, which can extend the timeline well past a year. For serious accidents, settlements may take 12 to 18 months, especially if litigation becomes necessary.
Consider two examples:
- A simple bumper repair with clear liability might be resolved in under two weeks.
- A three-car pile-up with disputed liability and injury claims could stretch beyond a year.
The pattern is clear: the more complex the accident, the longer the settlement. This is why industry averages can look high, even though many claims are resolved quickly.
Why do personal injury claims take longer to resolve?
Personal injury claims take longer because they rely on medical reports, ongoing treatment, and negotiations with solicitors before compensation can be finalised.
Unlike a repair or a write-off, an injury claim cannot be settled until the full impact of the injury is understood. Medical assessments are needed to confirm the extent of the damage, recovery progress, and whether long-term care or rehabilitation will be required. This takes time, especially when symptoms such as whiplash only become clear weeks after the accident.
Solicitors often become involved in injury claims, adding a legal layer to the process. Negotiations between insurers and legal representatives can drag out for months, particularly if liability is disputed. For more serious accidents, settlements frequently extend to 12–18 months, sometimes longer if court proceedings are required.
Here are the main causes of delay in personal injury claims:
- Medical evidence: reports must be completed by qualified professionals, sometimes after months of treatment.
- Liability disputes: insurers may contest responsibility, slowing negotiations.
- Ongoing treatment: compensation cannot be finalised until prognosis is clearer.
- Court involvement: if cases progress to litigation, timelines lengthen significantly.
Industry data shows that average property damage claims already take nearly a year to settle, but injury claims almost always exceed this because they are far more complex. For drivers, this means patience is essential when medical evidence is at the centre of the process.
What can you do to speed up a car insurance claim?
You can speed up a car insurance claim by reporting it quickly, providing clear evidence, and responding promptly to your insurer’s requests.
Delays often occur not because insurers are unwilling to act, but because essential information is missing. The faster you supply documents such as photographs, witness contact details, and repair estimates, the faster the insurer can move through liability assessment and settlement.
Technology can also help. Dashcam footage, for instance, can provide immediate clarity about fault, reducing disputes and cutting down weeks of back-and-forth between insurers. Likewise, keeping a record of medical appointments or treatment notes can accelerate injury-related claims.
Shopping around for approved repairers or choosing an insurer that guarantees courtesy cars can also reduce frustration during the process. With repair times in the UK now averaging 31 days just to begin and 15 days to complete, anything that reduces waiting for parts or labour makes a difference.
Ultimately, drivers who are proactive—gathering evidence, keeping records, and chasing progress—are the ones who see their claims resolved fastest.
How long do non-fault vs at-fault claims take?
Non-fault claims usually settle faster if liability is clear, while at-fault claims can take longer due to disputes and recovery of costs.
When another driver admits responsibility and their insurer accepts liability, your claim can be resolved relatively quickly. For example, if your parked car is hit and the other driver is identified, repairs may begin within days. But if liability is denied or unclear, non-fault claims slow down while insurers argue, sometimes for months.
At-fault claims introduce another layer of delay. Your insurer may cover repairs for your own car immediately, but they also need to pay the third party, recover costs where possible, and adjust your policy records. These processes take time, particularly in multi-vehicle accidents.
Industry data shows that repair-related settlement times have stretched significantly, with average lead times increasing from 15 to 31 days between 2019 and 2023. Whether at-fault or not, drivers now face longer waits simply because parts, labour, and claim volumes are under pressure.
Consider the contrast:
- Non-fault, clear liability: parked car hit, insurer recovers costs quickly, claim settled in weeks.
- At-fault, serious collision: multiple vehicles, injuries, and disputed liability push settlement into months or longer.
The difference lies less in fault itself and more in how quickly liability is established and costs are recovered.
Final thoughts
Car insurance claims can take anywhere from a week for simple repairs to more than a year for serious accidents, with rising claim volumes and complex vehicles making delays increasingly common.
The averages tell the story. Minor cosmetic damage is usually resolved in about a week, write-offs in around a month, and disputed or injury claims can take 12–18 months. Industry data confirms the trend: property damage claims now average 353 days to settle, compared with 287 in 2019, and repair lead times have doubled since then.
Behind these numbers are practical realities—more sophisticated cars, longer repair queues, and growing claim volumes. In Q2 2025 alone, UK insurers settled 669,000 claims worth £3.1 billion, showing just how much pressure the system is under.
For drivers, the lesson is clear: while you can’t always control how long a claim takes, you can influence it. Fast reporting, solid evidence, and prompt communication help avoid unnecessary delays. And knowing what to expect means less frustration if the process takes longer than hoped.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Minor cosmetic damage claims are usually the quickest, often resolved in about a week once evidence is submitted and repairs are approved.
Yes. Serious accidents involving injuries, multiple vehicles, or litigation can stretch settlement times to 12–18 months or longer.
Whiplash claims often last several months, as medical evidence and recovery progress must be assessed before compensation is agreed.
Some insurers provide a courtesy car, but it depends on your policy and whether the garage has availability. Always check your cover.
If the other driver doesn’t report quickly, your insurer may step in, but disputes can prolong settlement until liability is resolved.
If liability is accepted, non-fault claims can be resolved within weeks. If disputed, they may take months.
Yes. Insurers must investigate liability, costs, and evidence. They may delay settlement if details are missing or responsibility is unclear.
Yes. Uninsured cases go through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau, which adds extra legal steps and can extend settlement times considerably.