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Do car insurance claims have a time limit / do they expire?
Two different clocks apply. First, your policy requires you to report an incident "as soon as reasonably possible" — usually within a day or two. Miss that and the insurer can reduce or refuse the claim even if you’re within the legal limits, so report promptly. Second, the legal time limits (the Limitation Act) give you up to 3 years to bring a personal injury claim and up to 6 years for property/vehicle damage. But those legal limits are a backstop — relying on them while ignoring your policy’s prompt-notification requirement is risky. Bottom line: tell your insurer straight away, even if you’re not sure you’ll claim; the prompt report protects your position.
Reported within the hour even though I wasn’t sure I’d claim. Glad I did — leaving it days can be used against you regardless of the legal limit.
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.