The Timeline of a Non-Fault Accident Claim: What to Expect | GVE London – Blog

A crash shakes up your entire day, even more so when you are to blame. However, you’re not completely helpless in this situation. You can file for a non-fault accident claim. In this guide, we’ll guide you, step by step, with pointers on repairs, offers, and delays.

Right After The Incident

First thing is first, check up on everyone. Safety comes first, always. Now, once that’s done, it is time to swap details and gather evidence. You’ll need as much evidence as possible to make the process easier for you.

Week 1: Start The Non Fault Accident Claim

Tell your insurer what happened. Share the other driver’s details. If your case involves minor injury, you or your representative can submit through the Official Injury Claim portal. That route explains each step and keeps everything in one place.

Weeks 1 To 6: Liability Decision Window

Once a compensator is identified, they get up to 30 business days to say if their driver was at fault. If they do not answer in time on the portal, liability is treated as accepted. Older RTA portal rules gave 15 business days, which still applies to claims that follow that track. Keep an eye on dates. It matters.

Repairs And Courtesy Car

If the other driver is at fault, their insurer may offer help with repairs and a replacement vehicle. Many people prefer to use an approved car accident repair centre. You can also choose your own trusted car bodyshop like GVE London. The Association of British Insurers explains how third party assistance works and what you can expect at no cost to you when you were not to blame.

Your vehicle goes to a car bodyshop for assessment. An engineer estimates the damage. If it is repairable, the repair centre orders parts and books the work. If parts are scarce or the garage makes mistakes, delays can snowball. The Financial Ombudsman has upheld complaints in such cases and has required fair solutions and compensation. Keep records of calls and emails.

Read Also: Finding the Best Repair Centre for Non-Fault Accident Claims

Total Loss Checks

If fixing the car would cost more than its sensible value, it may be a write-off. Many guides use a band of roughly 60 to 75 percent of pre-accident value as a common threshold. Recent news also shows regulators pressing insurers to pay fair market value on write-offs. This has led to redress for some customers where offers were too low. If a settlement feels off, challenge it.

Injury Evidence and Offers

If you have whiplash or another minor soft-tissue injury in England or Wales, you will usually need one medical report. Booking and receiving that report can take a few weeks. After you finish the steps and upload what is needed, the compensator has 20 business days to make an offer in the Official Injury Claim process. As of July 2025, the average time to get an offer and give your decision was about 90 days. That average can be shorter if your case is simple.

Vehicle Hire Timelines

If you were not at fault, you may be given a like-for-like hire car while yours is off the road. There is an industry agreement that aims to settle hire invoices within about 60 days of a final pack being received. This can help keep things moving between companies. It is not a promise to you, but it shapes how insurers sort out bills in the background.

What Slows A Non Fault Car Accident Claim

Delays often come from parts backlogs, unclear liability, slow communication, or quality issues at the repair centre. Ombudsman cases show that poor handling can lead to compensation and the option to switch repairer. If you feel stuck, escalate a complaint in writing to your insurer first. Then you can go to the Financial Ombudsman if needed.

How To Claim Non Fault Accident In Simple Steps

Report. Document. Choose repair path. Track deadlines. For injury cases under the small-claims limit in England and Wales, use the Official Injury Claim portal or get legal help if your injuries are likely to be worth more. For vehicle damage only, stay close to the repair timeline and ask for updates. If the other side does not engage within the rules, note that and ask your handler to apply the default outcomes set by the process.

How Long Overall

Minor, undisputed vehicle damage can settle within days or a couple of weeks. More complex losses or injury will take longer. Comparison and legal guides state that car claims can run for weeks to many months, depending on liability and evidence. Do not panic if it is not instant. Keep everything in writing and chase politely.

Conclusion

The time lines for non-fault accident claims are fairly defined but it is an involved process to say the least. If you’d like some assistance, contact here us at GVE London. Our team will take care of the entire process for you whilst you go about your usual day. Furthermore, being enthusiasts, we not only perform the usual repairs and service but can work on customisation, window tints and detailing as well. To know more, hop on a call with us today!