How long after a car accident can you file a claim?

If you’ve recently been in a car accident, your first concern might be getting car repairs paid so you can get back to everyday life.

But in some cases, when it comes to making a claim it might be better to wait.

In the UK claims can be made up to three years after the accident occurred, although this can vary from provider to provider.

How long should I wait before filing a claim?

Generally speaking, filing a claim as soon after an accident as possible helps your insurer to pay all the bills and expenses from your accident more quickly. Claims take time to process, so the sooner you file, the sooner you’ll probably see a reimbursement or payment from your provider.

Should I wait to file an insurance claim?

It’s worth weighing up the pros and cons of waiting to file.

Bottom line

If your vehicle is damaged in a car accident, it can take weeks or even months to assess the true cost of fixing what’s wrong.

Waiting before filing your claim with your insurer might help you get the coverage you’ll ultimately need. For more information on everything to do with auto coverage, you can read our comprehensive guide to car insurance.

Frequently asked questions

• What happens to my insurance costs after making an insurance claim?

  Typically your insurance premiums will increase after making a claim on your insurance. You might also lose any no-claim or claim-free discount for maintaining your policy with no accidents or claims for a certain period.

  However, if you have accident forgiveness on your policy, you’re usually protected from any increase in cost because of your previous track record for safe driving. It may help to talk to your provider, so you can find out how much your rate will increase, and whether it’s worth it to make your claim or pay out of pocket for damages.

• What if my policy's window to file a claim is too short?

  Many insurance providers reserve the right to set time limits for filing claims. If you feel your provider has set an unfair time limit, you may want to speak with an agent about a possible compromise, or other options that might help you file in time while still getting the cover you need.

Finder survey: Has your car ever been involved in an accident or broken down?

Response	Male	Female
Yes	46.74%	42.02%
No	36.68%	32.38%
N/A I don't have a car	16.58%	25.6%

Source: Finder survey by Censuswide of 1032 Brits, December 2023

The offers compared on this page are chosen from a range of products we can track; we don't cover every product on the market...yet. Unless we've indicated otherwise, products are shown in no particular order or ranking. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations), aren't product ratings, although we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it; this is subject to our terms of use. When making a big financial decision, it's wise to consider getting independent financial advice, and always consider your own financial circumstances when comparing products so you get what's right for you. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables has the source: Moneyfacts Group PLC. In other cases, Finder has sourced data directly from providers.

*Based on data provided by Consumer Intelligence Ltd, www.consumerintelligence.com (Mar ’24). 51% of car insurance customers could save £524.68

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Esther Wolffowitz

Esther Wolffowitz was a publisher at finder.com specialising in insurance. Esther holds an MSc in Media and Communication Governance from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

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