First time car insurance claim

bungaro79 · 17-06-2026 11:24AM #1

Hi

had a fella drive into the back of my car a few days ago on a busy road. Fire bridgades and gardai came to the scene and took all details of what had happened. They think it might've been a blow out in his tire. I rang my insurance the next morning and they said I could either contact the other partys insurance or go through my own insurance but that would affect my no claims bonus. I went with option 1 and rang the other partys insurance and they said they would be back to me within 72 hours. Now I'm back to work tomorrow but have no car! So are they obliged to provide me with a courtesy car (assuming they accept their clients liability)? Also, I'm assuming my car will be written off so is there negotiation with the amount they offer? I'm hoping that I can get a car with the same spec and year if this is the case.

If anyone has any other advice on how to handle this then please let me know as I've never had a car insurance claim in my 25 years driving!

Thanks 👍️

thebiglad · 17-06-2026 11:54AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058439802/first-time-car-insurance-claim

You can claim off your own policy which may be quicker - you would be covered only for the replacement value of the vehicle and, your excess would be deducted, NCB affected until your insurer recovers in full from the at fault insurer.

Claiming off the other party's insurance directly where accident liability seems to be clear is a good option but, their insurer will not do a thing until the claim is officially reported to them - you need to keep onto the other insurer and ask them to confirm that the accident is reported by their client and, as he hit you in the rear, is liability being admitted.

They will ask you to obtain repair estimates, if your vehicle is not mobile/roadworthy and in your view, not repairable tell them where it is located and they can send a motor assessor to view it to confirm that and then they will provide you with a market value - this is of course open for discussion when you get it but, try to obtain some adverts for equivalent cars to your own so you are clear on the value you need to replace, be sensible as adverts often have negotiating room built in.

If you absolutely need a car to get to work, carry on with life you can hire one (the other insurer is unlikely to provide unless your car is repairable (in which case typically the repairer provides it) - if you do not need a car but can get by cheaper with loan of a family member's car or use of bus for short period, do that - you are required to keep your costs reasonable and, you could need the replacement car for 2-3 weeks - those costs mount up quickly. If you intend to hire in a car tell the other insurer this is your intention and see if they make any counter proposals to you.

At this stage of proceedings you do not need a Solicitor, that is just unnecessary expense - if, the insurer accepts responsibility they will progress the claim - just keep on to them, daily if necessary - I guarantee you appoint a solicitor for a damage claim, the pace will slow - at the very least you have inserted another person in the chain of communication and they will not be as motivated as you to progress.

Sounds like a reasonable impact so, if you have any injuries these can be dealt with after you have your car settled, it does not have to be at same time so no rush, keep any doctor/A&E receipts to recover later - a claim for injury can be submitted through the injuries board.

flanna01 · 17-06-2026 11:56AM

You might be jumping the gun there a little bit…

First of all, and most importantly, does the other guy accept responsibility?

If he does, then that's half the battle.

I doubt his insurers will provide you with a courtesy car although you can claim the expense of hiring a car in the interim (No guarantee that you will be refunded)

If your car is written off, you will be given the market value today of the car.

If you can afford it, I would suggest replacing the car yourself today and wait for the cheque, this will cut out the car hire costs and the expenses of chasing up the recovery of your monies spent getting mobile again (and, realistically, your going to have to replace the car anyway)

This is not a quick process, even if both parties are in agreement of who's responsibility it is.

Note: What is said at the site of the accident can change - He may no longer be willing to accept responsibility and you must be certain of his intent before proceeding any further.

bungaro79 · 17-06-2026 03:23PM

Thanks guys. Appreciate the replies. I'm waiting for a response from the other parties insurance company so fingers crossed it will go as straight forward as possible

thebiglad · 19-06-2026 10:14AM

Yes, their response really does dictate how you need to proceed. Post back if you need any more guidance.

Keep chasing them and, keep records of when you do, it will help if you do need to claim down the line for alternative transport costs, you can prove you tried everything to move the matter along.

First time car insurance claim

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