Help after a non-fault accident in Scotland
What counts as a non-fault accident?
A non-fault accident is one where someone else – usually another driver – caused the crash. Common examples are rear-end shunts, being hit while parked, and drivers pulling out of junctions. Read more in fault vs non-fault accidents.
What you may be able to claim
- Repairs to your vehicle, or its pre-accident value if it’s a total loss
- A comparable replacement vehicle while yours is off the road, where you’re eligible
- Other losses caused by the accident, such as recovery and storage
Should I tell my own insurer?
Yes. Most policies require you to tell your insurer about any accident, even if you’re not claiming on your policy. You can tell them it’s for information only. Read our guide.
How G4 helps, step by step
- Tell us what happened – online, by phone or WhatsApp.
- We check the details and explain your options.
- We arrange repairs and, where eligible, a replacement vehicle, and deal with the at-fault insurer.
- We keep you updated until you’re back on the road.
What it costs you: nothing
Our service is free of charge because we bill the at-fault insurer. There’s no excess to pay, and your no-claims bonus is unaffected because we don’t claim on your own insurance. Where you're not at fault and your claim meets our criteria.
No cost to you
- No excess to pay
- No-claims bonus unaffected
- Free of charge, we bill the at-fault insurer
Where you're not at fault and your claim meets our criteria. How is it free?
When we may not be able to help
If liability is disputed, the other driver was uninsured or can’t be traced, or you were partly at fault, the options can be more limited. We’ll tell you honestly if we can’t help – see uninsured or untraced drivers.
Helpful guides
FAQs
What is a non-fault accident?
A non-fault accident is one where another road user caused the collision and you weren’t to blame. Common examples are being hit from behind at traffic lights, hit while parked, or hit by a driver pulling out of a junction. Whether an accident is treated as non-fault depends on the evidence and on the other side’s insurer accepting responsibility. If you’re not sure, that’s fine – tell us what happened and we’ll talk it through.
What can I claim for after a non-fault accident?
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to recover the cost of repairing your vehicle (or its pre-accident value if it’s written off), a comparable replacement vehicle while yours is off the road, compensation if you were injured, and other reasonable losses caused by the accident. What you can recover depends on the evidence, your needs and the other insurer’s response, so we’ll help check what applies to you.
What if I’m not sure who was at fault?
That’s very common, especially at junctions, roundabouts or in car parks. You don’t need to decide on your own. Tell us what happened, share any photos or footage, and we’ll talk it through honestly. If it looks like you were mainly at fault, we’ll tell you, and explain that your own insurer is usually the right place to go. Please don’t admit or discuss blame with the other driver at the scene.
Not sure where you stand? Call or WhatsApp us and we’ll talk it through, no obligation. Start your claim
What if the other driver says it wasn’t their fault?
Disputes happen. When the drivers’ accounts differ, the insurers look at the evidence: photos, damage patterns, dashcam or CCTV footage, witness statements and police reports. Send us anything you have as soon as possible, because some footage isn’t kept for long. A disputed claim can take longer, and we’ll be honest with you about how it’s going and explain any effect on you.
Will a non-fault accident affect my no-claims bonus or premium?
When you use our service, your no-claims bonus is unaffected because we don’t claim on your own insurance – we deal with the at-fault driver’s insurer. Where you're not at fault and your claim meets our criteria.
You should still tell your insurer about the accident. Insurers may record it and take it into account at renewal, and that is up to them.
Drive a taxi, ride a bike or deliver for a living? See help for taxi drivers, delivery riders and motorcyclists. We cover all of Scotland.
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Our team in Wishaw is here Mon–Fri 8am–6pm · Sat 9am–2pm. Message us on WhatsApp any time and we’ll reply when we’re open.
Claims HQ, 9 Pickering Works, Netherton Road, Wishaw ML2 0EQ · 01698 767 172