When in a car accident whose insurance do you call first?
In the UK, you should always call your own insurance company first after a car accident, no matter who is at fault. They will report the claim, liaise with the other driver’s insurer, and advise you on the next steps.
This step is vital because your policy terms require you to notify your insurer promptly, even if you don’t plan to make a claim. Failing to do so risks invalidating your cover. With average UK car insurance premiums now around £562, drivers can’t afford to jeopardise their protection.
The scale of the system also explains why procedures are clear-cut. In one quarter of 2025 alone, UK insurers settled more than 669,000 motor claims, with payouts running into billions of pounds. Efficient reporting helps keep that process running smoothly.
In this article, we’ll look at who to call after an accident, how insurers handle different scenarios, and why reporting matters even in minor incidents.
What insurance company should you call first after an accident?
You should call your own insurer first, regardless of fault, because your contract requires it and they are responsible for managing the claim.
Every UK car insurance policy includes a duty to notify your provider promptly after an incident. Most insurers expect to be contacted within 24 hours or “as soon as reasonably possible.” This applies whether you intend to make a claim or not.
The reason is straightforward: your insurer is best placed to open a claim file, guide you through the process, and protect your interests. They can arrange vehicle recovery, authorise repairs, and begin discussions with the other party’s insurer if liability needs to be settled.
Some drivers wrongly assume they should contact the other driver’s insurer if they weren’t at fault. In reality, doing so can complicate matters and risks saying something that could be interpreted as admitting liability. By calling your own insurer, you remain covered and avoid unnecessary disputes.
Prompt contact also ensures that all the details are fresh. Clear reporting from the outset reduces the chance of delays, helps establish liability, and keeps you on the right side of your policy’s requirements.
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Get QuotesHow do insurers handle claims when you’re not at fault?
If you’re not at fault in a car accident, your insurer will manage the claim and then recover costs from the other driver’s insurer.
The process usually begins with your insurer arranging repairs to your vehicle or providing a courtesy car. They may also cover medical expenses or loss of earnings where applicable. Once your claim is settled, they pursue reimbursement directly from the other party’s insurance company. This “insurer-to-insurer” recovery keeps you out of difficult negotiations.
If the other driver is uninsured or leaves the scene, your insurer may involve the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB). The MIB exists to compensate victims of uninsured or hit-and-run drivers. Claims through the MIB can take longer, but they ensure that victims aren’t left carrying the financial burden.
This system is particularly important in the UK, where uninsured driving remains a significant problem. In 2024, the cost of claims against uninsured drivers reached hundreds of millions of pounds. By working through your insurer, you maintain protection and allow them to manage recovery, whether through the other driver’s insurer or the MIB.
Do you need to call the other driver’s insurance company?
No, you do not need to call the other driver’s insurer — your own company will handle all communication with them.
It’s a common misconception that you should contact the other party’s provider directly, particularly if you weren’t at fault. In practice, this can create more problems than it solves. You may be drawn into conversations about liability or costs, and anything you say could be used against your claim.
Instead, your duty is to provide your insurer with accurate details: the other driver’s name, registration number, and insurance information. Once they have this, your provider will open discussions with the other insurer to determine liability and arrange settlement.
Occasionally, third-party insurers might contact you first, offering to manage repairs or compensation directly. While it may sound convenient, there is no obligation to agree, and doing so can sometimes reduce the protections you’d otherwise receive through your own policy.
By keeping communication clear and centralised through your own insurer, you avoid disputes and ensure your rights under your policy remain intact.
Why is it important to notify your insurer even without a claim?
You must notify your insurer after an accident even if you don’t intend to make a claim, because failure to do so can invalidate your cover.
Most UK insurance policies include a contractual duty to report incidents “for information only.” This means that even if you agree to settle minor damage privately, your insurer still expects to be told. If they later discover an undisclosed accident — for example, through shared industry databases — they may refuse to pay out on future claims or even cancel your policy.
There’s also a wider financial context. With UK insurers settling hundreds of thousands of claims each quarter, they rely on accurate reporting to keep records consistent across the industry. If drivers withheld information, it would distort risk assessments and undermine the fairness of pricing.
In short, reporting every accident, no matter how small, protects your policy and ensures you remain on the right side of your insurer’s terms. Even if no claim follows, transparency avoids disputes down the line.
What details do insurers need after a car accident?
Insurers need accurate details from the scene of the accident, including the other driver’s information, evidence of the incident, and any official reports.
At a minimum, you should gather:
- The other driver’s name, address, and contact number.
- Vehicle registration numbers.
- Insurance company name and policy number.
- Location, date, and time of the accident.
- Photos of vehicle damage, road layout, and conditions.
- Names and contact details of any witnesses.
- Police reference number if the accident was reported.
This evidence helps your insurer establish liability quickly and reduce disputes. Without it, claims can take longer, and in some cases you may have to cover costs yourself until liability is proven.
Given that UK insurers handle hundreds of thousands of claims every quarter, complete and reliable information is essential to prevent delays. A well-documented file not only strengthens your case but also helps your insurer recover costs from the other driver’s provider more efficiently.
How do different accident scenarios affect who you call?
Regardless of the scenario, your first call should still be to your own insurer, but the follow-up process can differ depending on the type of accident.
- At-fault accidents: Your insurer will cover the other driver’s losses under your policy, while also managing your repairs if you have comprehensive cover.
- Non-fault accidents: Your insurer will arrange repairs and then recover costs from the other driver’s provider.
- Hit-and-run or uninsured drivers: Your insurer may involve the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB), which compensates victims in these cases. Claims through the MIB can take longer but ensure you are not left out of pocket.
- Accidents abroad: If driving in Europe, the process often involves the Green Card system and local insurers. Your provider will advise how to proceed and which documents to supply.
These variations highlight why insurers stress immediate notification. With billions of pounds paid out annually, and uninsured drivers still a significant problem on UK roads, contacting your own insurer promptly ensures you are covered, no matter how complex the situation.
Final thoughts
After any car accident in the UK, your first call should always be to your own insurer — they are responsible for protecting your cover and managing the claims process.
Whether you were at fault, completely innocent, or the victim of an uninsured or hit-and-run driver, the system is designed for your provider to take the lead. They liaise with the other insurer, coordinate repairs, and, where necessary, involve the Motor Insurers’ Bureau.
With average car insurance premiums still around £562, and insurers settling hundreds of thousands of claims each quarter, failing to notify your insurer is a risk most drivers cannot afford. Transparency keeps you compliant with your policy, speeds up settlements, and ensures that your rights are preserved.
The message is simple: no matter how minor the accident or who caused it, always inform your insurer. It’s the surest way to avoid disputes and guarantee you remain fully covered.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes. You must always notify your insurer, even if you’re not at fault. They’ll manage the claim and recover costs from the other driver’s insurer.
Yes. Most policies require you to report all accidents, even if you don’t intend to make a claim.
Some insurers allow online reporting, but most still require a phone call to log the incident quickly and accurately.
Failure to report can lead to policy cancellation, refusal of future claims, or higher premiums.
Call the police first if there are injuries, hazards, or a crime involved. Otherwise, notify your insurer immediately after the scene is safe.
They can refuse if you breach your policy terms, for example by failing to report promptly or providing false information.
Your insurer. They will involve the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB), which compensates victims of uninsured or hit-and-run drivers.
Yes. Even private agreements must be reported, or you risk breaching your policy terms.