Car Insurance. How do I make a claim on a Motor Insurance policy?

Your car insurance policy documents will tell you how to claim. Most insurance companies also have a special 24-hour claims telephone number to speed up the process. Why not make a note of that claims number in your telephone book just in case?

Once you have informed their claims department, they will want to know what happened, the

The insurer's claims department will also want a police accident report number - the police officers attending the accident scene will give this to you or, if the police did not attend the accident, you can get a number when you report the accident to the police. You should be aware that, it's your legal responsibility to report the accident to the police within 4 hours and the police will then give you an accident report number.

The insurance company's claims department will usually send you an accident claim form in the post - although sometimes they will agree to take full details over the phone (in which case they will send you a copy of the report for your reference). Remember to ask the claims department what, if anything, they need from you in terms of evidence.

Here's a good tip. Always carry a camera in the vehicle, even a disposable one will do. One of the best forms of evidence are photographs at the scene of the accident and these can be used to support your own statement.

Ensure that you copy all the correspondence you send to your insurer and keep in a safe place. You should also make sure that you keep all receipts for any expenditure that relates to the accident.

It's a good idea to use the car insurance company's preferred repairers as they usually have to guarantee their work - and that's important. If you decide to use a garage that wasn't on the insurers list of approved garages, then before any work is authorised, you must send a formal estimate to your insurance company. Some insurance companies may even want more than one estimate.

If you have a comprehensive policy, you can phone your insurer's help line from the scene of the accident and they will arrange for a tow-truck to take your car to their nearest approved garage. This garage can get immediate authorisation to repair your vehicle which greatly reduces the time you are without your car.

If you use the insurer's recommended garage the cost of the repairs will always be paid directly by your insurer. But don't forget that no matter what, you will still be required to pay the agreed excess on your policy to the garage when you collect your car.

If you just have third party insurance, you'll have to arrange and pay for the repairs yourself. If the accident was caused by other party, you'll be able to reclaim your expenses from their insurance company - so remember to keep all the receipts for your costs safe - insurance companies won't pay out without them!

Claims procedures do vary slightly between insurance companies. So if you do have an accident, always double-check their claims procedure. It's important to exactly follow their procedures otherwise delays may arise with the repairs or other financial matters.