Do I have to pay excess if not my fault?
Asked by: Bessie Larson | Last update: January 13, 2026Score: 4.5/5 (10 votes)
Why do I have to pay excess when it's not my fault?
It's normal. Your excess is simply the part of any claim that is not covered by your policy. Your fault, somebody else's fault, nobody's fault in particular, it makes no difference - your excess is always payable if you claim on your own policy.
Do you pay excess if you are not at fault?
Once liability has been determined by the insurer and if you're found to be not at fault, your excess will be waived and your claim will continue as normal. It can be easy to assign blame and assume it's the other driver's responsibility to cover costs, especially if the events around the incident weren't clear-cut.
How does insurance work if it's not your fault?
Who pays in a no-fault accident? If there's an accident between two drivers, each party's PIP coverage typically pays for their respective medical bills and/or wage loss up to their policies' limits, no matter who caused the accident.
Do I have to pay excess if not my fault budget direct?
If you are involved in a no fault car accident and make a claim, then you do not have to pay any excess (provided we decide the other driver was entirely at fault and we can obtain the at fault driver's full name, residential address, and vehicle registration number).
Do I have to pay excess if not my fault?
Should I file a claim if I'm not at fault?
Always File a Claim, Regardless of Who Was At-Fault
One of the primary questions we receive from clients who have been in an accident is whether they should report the accident to their own auto insurance carrier, particularly when the accident was not their fault. And the answer to that question is: always.
Do you pay excess on each claim?
You usually have to pay every time you make a claim, but not always. For example, if you were in a car accident that wasn't your fault, you wouldn't be expected to pay – or your excess would be refunded. Some insurers may have different excess amounts under a single policy.
What happens when a car accident wasn't your fault?
The first step is to get the other party's car insurance information and then report the accident. You should call 911 or the police to respond to the scene. You must also report the accident to both your own insurer and theirs. Generally, this will start the claims process with the at-fault party's insurer.
Is it better to use your insurance or theirs?
After a car accident, you should notify your insurance company and file a claim, and not deal with the other driver's insurer. Except in rare circumstances, it is not wise to contact them. Your insurance company represents you, and the other driver's insurance company represents them.
Do I lose no claims if it wasn't my fault?
Does a non-fault claim affect my no-claims bonus? It might sound unfair, but you can lose your no-claims bonus for an incident even if it wasn't your fault (unless you've got a protected no-claims bonus). After all, it's a “no-claims bonus”, not a “no-blame bonus” – and a claim is a claim, regardless of who's at fault.
Do I call my insurance if I'm not at fault?
Yes. Regardless of fault, it is important to call your insurance company and report any accident that involves injuries or property damage. It is a common myth that you needn't contact your insurance company if you aren't at fault.
What happens if you can't pay excess?
If you do not have the money available to pay the excess your insurer may refuse your claim or it might deduct the amount from what it pays towards the repairs. For example, if you make a claim for damages worth £2,000 but cannot afford to pay the £250 excess, your insurer will only pay the remaining £1,750.
Do I have to pay excess if I am not at fault with Allianz?
Do I have to pay an excess if the accident was not my fault? No. You won't have to pay an excess if we determine you're not at fault for the accident and you can provide the responsible party's details.
Do I have to pay if I hit someone's car?
Hitting a parked car is the same as any other kind of car accident when it comes to key issues like fault and insurance coverage. If no insurance covers the incident, the driver who hit the parked car will personally be on the financial hook for any resulting vehicle damage.
What happens if insurance cannot determine fault?
50/50 fault: If it's too difficult to determine fault, particularly if no witnesses saw the accident take place, some insurance companies will decide to split the costs equally between the two drivers.
Will my insurance increase after a claim?
How much does car insurance increase after a claim? Although the amount will depend on who's to blame, the severity of the accident, and your own driving record, you should expect your car insurance to increase by about 20-50% after making a claim.
Should I let my insurance know if it wasn't my fault?
Yes, it is generally advisable to notify your insurance company even if the accident wasn't your fault. Most insurance policies require policyholders to promptly report any accidents or incidents, regardless of fault.
Can my son drive my car if he is not insured?
Most insurers cover someone else driving the policyholder's car with their permission once in a while. But, if you're going to start driving one of your parent's cars regularly, you'll need to be added or named on their auto insurance. You can't legally drive your parents' car without any insurance at all, either.
Does your insurance go up if someone hits you?
If you are involved in an accident and file a claim, even if it was not your fault, your insurance company may see you as a higher risk to insure and increase your rates. Consider speaking with a licensed insurance agent to see how much insurance could increase after an accident where you're not at fault.
Should I file an insurance claim if I am at fault?
If you damage someone else's vehicle during a significant collision, and you're at fault, you should always file a claim.
Should I call my insurance if it wasn't my fault progressive?
Start the claims process
Regardless of who's at fault, it's a good idea to inform your car insurance company that an accident occurred.
How long does not at fault accident affect insurance?
Now, you might be wondering, “How long will a no-fault claim affect my insurance rates?” Well, insurance rates typically experience an increase for a period of three to five years following a no-fault accident.
When should I pay excess?
1. The excess amount is the first amount payable by you when your claim is settled or paid out. 2. It serves to motivate you to be more responsible, to take better care of your valuables and to prevent small, petty claims.
Is it better to have excess or no excess?
Increasing your excess usually lowers your monthly premiums. But it also means that, in the event of a claim, you will need to pay a larger amount upfront. It's therefore important to agree to a compulsory and voluntary excess total that you can afford.
Do I have to pay excess if not my fault with Aviva?
Once they have settled your claim, they will then seek to recover the payment from the person who caused the accident and their insurer. You may still need to pay your excess, then recover this from the person at fault or their insurer.