At the time of the accident
If anybody is injured, you should inform the Police and Ambulance services immediately. Do not attempt to move seriously injured parties. Even if you feel the accident was your fault, do not admit liability as this may ultimately affect your insurance claim. Make sure you get the name, address, registration number and contact details of all parties involved along with details of witnesses. Before driving off, ensure your vehicle is roadworthy in terms of lights and whether bodywork damage could be dangerous to other road users.

Following the accident there are a number of factors to consider. Here are just some of them along with an explanation of terminology you may come across.

Choosing your Repairer
If you report the accident to your insurance company or broker they will inform you of their preferred repairer. You should ensure that any body repairer you consider using can issue the manufacturer's Lifetime Guarantee of Repair on all work completed. As the policyholder, it is your right to choose who repairs your vehicle - a situation that has been agreed by the OFT and ABI.

Replacement Vehicles
If you need a hire car, it's the responsibility of the Body Repairer to supply one. However, they are under no obligation to supply anything more than a basic vehicle. Kinghorn Bodyshop have access to certain manufacturers' courtesy cars, so whilst your car is being professionally repaired we'll endeavour to supply a car of a similar status. If the accident is not your fault you are entitled to have a hire car of a similar make/model to your own vehicle. This loan car can be either paid for by a third party payment claim or if the accident was your fault, you can fund an upgrade.

Uninsured Loss Recovery Companies
If the accident was not your fault, you may wish to consider using the services of an uninsured loss recovery company. They will take the necessary steps to ensure any repair and other costs or injuries incurred will be compensated. We can obtain details of these companies for you.

Third Party Claims
If another person was at fault and you wish to claim against their insurance company, this is termed 'third party'. As it's essential that the person at fault submits a claim to their insurance company, it's worth obtaining the agreement for repairs before giving the go ahead.

Claim Form
An insurance claim form must be completed and sent to your insurance company or broker. Details taken at the scene of the accident will assist greatly and will also help to establish who was at fault.

Estimates
You only require one estimate. It's only if the insurance engineer and the repairer cannot agree that an additional estimate is needed. Aan estimate will be created using a fully computerised Audatex system that uses the manufacturer's working times, parts and prices.

Insurance Excess
Insurance excess applies to that part of the claim for which you are not insured and for which you are responsible. This amount is payable directly to the repairer prior to collection of your car. However, this excess could be reclaimed from the 'at fault' party or their insurance company.

No Claims Bonus
Your insurance policy may have built up a no claims bonus. In this case, it may be worth paying for the repairs directly if the cost of repair is similar to the excess

Betterment
Some items that are partially worn may have to be replaced with new when the repair is being carried out, for example, tyres. The policyholder may be asked for 'betterment' to cover the wear that has already taken place. Again this is paid directly to the repairer.

VAT
If the policyholder is VAT registered they are responsible for paying the VAT element for the total repair directly to the repairer. The repairer will provide two complete invoices. One on which the policyholder should pay the total VAT element together with any additional costs. The second invoice being sent, less VAT, to the insurance company.

Collection Note
It is part of insurance company procedures that a 'collection note' is signed by the owner at the time of collecting or receiving the vehicle back. This signed collection note in no way affects your legal rights.

For further information or to discuss your own particular requirements, contact Kinghorn Bodyshop