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Sheen Resources
You didn't do anything wrong, so your insurance shouldn't be affected by a not at fault accident, right? Unfortunately, it may not be that simple. There are some circumstances where your insurance premium may be affected by a not at fault accident.
We've created this guide to help you understand how your insurance policy may be affected by a not at fault accident. Always check your insurance Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for more information about the details of your policy.
When you need to get your car repaired after an accident, you can trust Sheen to get you back on the road sooner. We give our customers the highest quality smash repairs and we can even help you navigate your insurance claim.
If you've been in a not at fault car accident, call Sheen first. We can get you back on the road in no time, and our partners at AANDI Lawyers will pursue the at-fault driver's insurer to cover the costs.
Does a not at fault accident affect insurance?
In the majority of cases—no, a not at fault accident does not affect your insurance. This means your insurance policy, premiums, and excess will not be impacted.
The answer depends on the specific circumstances of the car accident and the details of your insurance policy. If you're clearly not at fault for the accident and the other driver has insurance, then the damages should be covered their insurer, and your insurance will be unaffected.
This covers the most common not at fault accidents, such as getting rear-ended by another car, so your insurance will most likely not be affected. Other cases may not be as straightforward, and you will need to check with your insurer to find out if your insurance policy will be affected.
When come to Sheen for smash repairs, our partners at AANDI Lawyers can pursue the at-fault driver's insurer on your behalf. And you're entitled to a hire car if you're not at fault, no matter who you're insured with.
When does a not at fault accident affect your insurance?
If you've had to make an insurance claim for an accident where you weren't at fault, your insurance policy may be affected. There are many types of not at fault accidents where the damage won't be covered by the at fault driver's insurer, so you'll need to make a claim on your own insurance. Some of these include:
- If your insurer decides you were partially at fault for the accident
- If your car was damaged by hail or a severe weather event
- If your car was broken into, stolen, or damaged by criminal activity
- If your car was damaged and the other driver fled the scene without leaving their details
- If the at fault driver doesn't have insurance and can't pay for the damages
In circumstances like these where you're not at fault, you will still need to make a claim on your insurance policy, and this could change how your insurer calculates your insurance premium or other policy details.
For example—if your car gets broken into and damaged, your insurer might decide that the area you live in has become more dangerous and increase your insurance premium as a result.
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What about my no claims bonus?
Your no claims bonus may or may not be affected by a not at fault insurance claim, it depends on the details of your insurance policy. Your PDS might make a distinction between making a claim and making a not at fault claim when referring to your no claims bonus. If you're not sure, it's best to contact your insurer and ask them.
Depending on the amount of damage to your car, your excess, and the value of your no claims bonus, it may work out cheaper to get your car repaired on your own instead of making an insurance claim.
What you can do
Every accident has unique circumstances, and every insurance company has their own methods for calculating your insurance premium. Ultimately, your insurance company is the only one who knows if your not at fault accident will affect your insurance premium.
If your insurance company does change your premium after a not at fault accident, you can always get in touch with them to lodge a dispute. If you're not happy with their response, it might be time to shop around for a new insurer.
And just like any accident, gather as much information and evidence as you can so you can prove that you weren't at fault. If the damage was caused by someone who fled the scene without leaving their details, make sure you report the incident to police.
Call Sheen for the best smash repairs
Your local Sheen workshop can help you get your vehicle back on the road in pre-accident condition. And we can even help you navigate your insurance claim along with our partners at AANDI Lawyers. When you're not at fault, we can help you get the at-fault driver's insurer to cover your repair costs, so your insurance policy won't be affected.
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