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Can you make an insurance claim if the accident was your fault?
Yes — as long as you have comprehensive cover. Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your own vehicle even when the accident was your fault. You’ll pay your excess, and your no-claims discount will usually be affected (protected no-claims limits the impact but doesn’t erase the claim from your record). If you only have third-party (or third-party, fire and theft) cover, you can’t claim for your own car’s damage in an at-fault accident — that cover only pays for damage you cause to others. So: comprehensive + at fault = you can claim, minus excess and no-claims impact. Always still report the incident to your insurer even if you decide not to claim.
Worth checking your excess first. On a minor at-fault scrape, the excess plus losing my no-claims meant paying out of pocket was cheaper.
ClaimPilot checks your UK insurance claim the way an assessor would — flagging the gaps and wording that could get it delayed or refused — so you can fix them before you submit.
Check your claim free →General information, not financial or legal advice. For free, impartial help see Citizens Advice or the Financial Ombudsman Service.