10 Common UK Car Insurance & Accident Myths — Debunked

Myth 1 — 'If we both moved, it must be 50/50'

Reality. Liability follows fault, not motion. A car that pulled out from a side road hitting a car proceeding on the priority road is fully at fault, not 50/50.

Myth 2 — 'I have to use my insurer's approved repairer'

Reality. You have the legal right to choose your own repairer. Your insurer's approved network is convenient — not compulsory.

Myth 3 — 'A non-fault claim doesn't affect my premium'

Reality. It can, though usually less than a fault claim. Insurers factor 'exposure' — even blameless claims signal higher perceived risk. Claiming through the at-fault insurer (third-party route) minimises this.

Myth 4 — 'I don't have to tell my insurer if I'm not claiming'

Reality. You do. Every policy requires notification of any incident. You can notify 'for information only' without claiming.

Myth 5 — 'A courtesy car is the same as a replacement vehicle'

Reality. Not remotely. A courtesy car is a small runabout provided by the repairer while your car is in their workshop. A like-for-like replacement is a vehicle of the same class as yours, provided for as long as you are without your vehicle. See our replacement vehicle guide.

Myth 6 — 'The police decide who's at fault'

Reality. The police prosecute criminal offences (dangerous driving, drink driving, no insurance). Civil liability is decided by insurers or courts, based on evidence, using entirely separate rules.

Myth 7 — 'Whiplash claims are fraudulent'

Reality. Genuine whiplash affects hundreds of thousands of UK drivers every year. The 2021 tariff reforms tightened up the process; genuine claims are still valid, medically evidenced and paid on a fixed schedule.

Myth 8 — 'I have to pay my excess even if it wasn't my fault'

Reality. If you claim through your own insurer, yes — up front. But it's recoverable from the at-fault insurer. Going third-party avoids paying it at all.

Myth 9 — 'My car will be worth less because of the claim'

Reality. Repair-only claims usually don't appear on HPI. Total-loss decisions do. Even where value is reduced, that reduction (diminished value) is recoverable in non-fault cases — see our diminished value guide.

Myth 10 — 'Accident management companies charge me'

Reality. A genuine accident management company charges the at-fault insurer, not you. If anyone asks for an up-front fee, walk away.

Talking to VIP Claims is free and puts you under no obligation. We are an independent, UK-based accident management company — not an insurer. If your accident wasn't your fault, we can arrange a like-for-like replacement vehicle, manage repairs at an approved bodyshop, and recover all costs from the at-fault driver's insurer, protecting your no-claims bonus and keeping your excess in your pocket. Speak to a specialist or start your claim online.