5 Things Your Insurer Won't Tell You After an Accident
1. You Don't Have to Use Their Garage
Your insurer will push you towards their "approved repairer network." Why? Because they've negotiated lower rates. Good for them — not necessarily for you. You have the right to choose any garage you want. And if the accident wasn't your fault, the repairs are paid for by the other driver's insurer anyway.
2. You're Entitled to a Like-for-Like Hire Car
If your insurer offers you a courtesy car, it'll almost certainly be a tiny hatchback — regardless of what you actually drive. If the accident wasn't your fault, you're entitled to a like-for-like replacement at no cost. Most people don't know this. Insurers aren't in a hurry to tell you.
3. Their First Valuation Is Almost Always Low
If your car is written off, the insurer will offer you a settlement figure. It'll be low. That's just how it works — they start low and hope you accept. Don't. You're entitled to the full pre-accident market value of your vehicle. We routinely negotiate 15–30% more than the insurer's first offer.
4. You Don't Have to Claim Through Them at All
This is the big one. If the accident wasn't your fault, you can make a third-party claim directly against the other driver's insurer. No excess, no impact on your premiums, no claims on your record. Your own insurer may not actively tell you this because, well, they'd rather you go through them.
5. Their "Claims Handler" Works for Them, Not You
When you speak to your insurer's claims handler, remember: they work for the insurance company. Their job is to settle your claim as cheaply and quickly as possible. A claims management company like Clear Claims works for you — our job is to maximise what you get.
The Bottom Line
Your insurer isn't evil. But they are a business. Their incentive is to minimise payouts. Yours is to get what you're owed.
That's where we come in. We handle the whole thing, fight for the maximum, and it costs you nothing.
*Think you're being shortchanged? Start your claim and we'll take it from here.*