Car insurance

How to make a claim on your car insurance

Making a claim doesn't just come after having a crash. Whether your car is stolen, someone takes a key to it, or you find a ferret stuck up your exhaust, you'll need to know how to make a claim.

Had a crash?
Go to the ingenie crash guide.

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How to claim on your insurance after a crash

This is where you'll have to be prepared to think on your feet. Being able to calmly remember what you need to do after a crash will help you out a lot when it comes to making a claim.

What to do if you're involved in a crash:

1. Get the details of any other drivers: names, address and telephone numbers
2. Ask for the names of their insurers and their policy or certificate numbers if they have them
3. Write down the number plates of any vehicles involved, and the makes, models and colours
4. Make a note of the time and weather conditions: wet roads, night-time, ice?
5. List any injuries or damage to vehicles or property
6. Talk to witnesses quickly and write down their names, address and phone numbers
7. If the police come, write down the address of their police station and their 'collar numbers'
8. Use your phone to take pictures of the scene or sketch a plan of the crash

Use our crash guide to help you collect all the information you need you need. You could even print it out and keep it in your car just in case.

Don't talk about whose fault the crash was.
This might sound weird but trust me: this is best left to the experts. Saying the wrong thing could cost you your insurance excess and your no claims discount.

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How to claim on your insurance after a theft

What to do if your car is stolen:

1. Call the police on 101 or visit a station and report the theft
2. You will be given a Crime Reference Number - keep it safe as you will need this if you talk to the police for an update later and when you talk to your insurer
3. Call your insurer with your policy details and Crime Reference Number to hand

If you're insured with ingenie, we can use your black box to locate your car, and let the police know where to find it. Call our claims team on 0330 303 0021 with your Crime Reference Number.

What to do if something inside your car is stolen:

You can claim on your home insurance or your car insurance - not both. Some people choose to claim on their home insurance because this protects your no claims discount.

1. Make a list of what's been taken, with values and receipts if possible
2. Report the theft to the police
3. Keep your Crime Reference Number safe
4. Decide if you want to claim on your home or car insurance
5. Call your insurer with your policy document, Crime Reference Number and list of stolen items handy

If you're insured with ingenie, contact our claims team on 0330 303 0021

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How to claim on your insurance because of damage

What to do if your car is accidentally damaged:

1. Take photos of the damage
2. Call your insurer with your policy details to hand

What to do if someone purposely damages your car:

1. Get contact details from any witnesses
2. Take photos of the damage
3. Report the damage to the police
4. Keep your Crime Reference Number safe
5. Call your insurer with your policy document, Crime Reference Number and details of the damage

If you're insured with ingenie, call our claims team on 0330 303 0021.

  Updated: 02/01/2019.