CLEAR ROAD-ACCIDENT INFORMATION

How Our Service Works

Find out what to have ready, what help may be available and what to check before agreeing to a service.

This is a commercial service for accidents that may not have been your fault. You may have to pay for recovery, repairs, storage or car hire if the other driver’s insurer does not pay. Ask the provider to explain the agreement and costs before you decide.

Call 0330 551 1382
A driver discussing practical steps after a road accident

HOW THE HELPLINE WORKS

Tell the call handler what happened and what you need help with

You do not need to know every detail. Start with where the crash happened, whether everyone is safe and whether your car can be driven. If the crash may not have been your fault, you can ask about recovery, repairs or a replacement vehicle.

  1. 1

    Deal with immediate danger first

    Call 999 or 112 for serious injury or immediate danger. Use the emergency services first if anyone is in danger. Follow the accident checklist and tell your insurer even if you do not plan to claim.

  2. 2

    Explain what happened

    Have the date, location, registrations, insurer details, photographs and any police or recovery reference ready if available. Say when you are unsure. Do not send medical records or identity documents until you know who needs them and how to send them securely.

  3. 3

    Find out what help may be available

    The help offered depends on what happened, who was at fault and what you need. Recovery and replacement cars also depend on what is available. A call does not guarantee help or payment by the other driver’s insurer.

  4. 4

    Check the costs and the agreement

    Ask for the company’s name, the agreement, the costs and how to complain. You may have to pay for recovery, storage, repairs or car hire if the other driver’s insurer does not pay. Ask what happens if the drivers disagree about fault or share the blame.

  5. 5

    Choose what to do next

    Compare the offer with claiming through your own insurer or dealing directly with the other driver’s insurer. Read the documents, ask about anything unclear and keep copies. Compare the three main options.

If you need a replacement car

Ask whether it is a courtesy car under your policy, a normal rental or credit hire. The agreements and costs are different. With credit hire, you may have to pay if the other insurer does not. Check the differences before accepting a vehicle.

Keep the right contact details

Ask for an enquiry or claim reference and the name of the organisation to contact for updates. For an existing repair, hire or recovery arrangement, use the contact details on that agreement. For a problem with this website, see our contact page or complaints page.

Who runs the website and handles enquiries

Car Accident Helpline is a trading name of Latitude60 Ltd, which runs this website. We work with iRevolution Claims Ltd, trading as UK Motor Claims, under a commercial affiliate arrangement. iRevolution Claims Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 935488); that authorisation does not apply to Latitude60 Ltd.

Ask the call handler which company you are speaking to and how it will use your information. The recovery driver, repairer or hire firm may work for a different company. Check who will provide each service before you agree.