What To Do After a Minor Car Accident (UK)

You’ve had a minor car accident and don't know what to do next. The good news is the next steps aren’t complicated.

The correct legal path is to inform your insurer of any incidents, even if you don’t intend to claim, because your policy will have a clause/condition stating such.

Longmynd Service Station carries out repairs for Insurance companies, and we also use an accident management company for third-party non-fault claims.

However, insurance involvement is a grey area in some scenarios. For example, what if you notice a dent in your car door but have no idea when it happened? What if you scratch your paint with a sponge on a Sunday afternoon?

Reporting EVERY incident isn’t realistic when no one was injured and there’s no third-party damage. In these scenarios, what you do is up to you – meaning you could get your own car paint body repairs from a reputable garage.

What to do if there’s another party

Notify your insurer about the incident.

You are legally required to stop at the accident scene or another safe place and exchange your contact and insurance information.

This means swapping your name and address with the other party or leaving your details on the windscreen of a parked car.

If you have had a bump with another driver, now is the only time you can take down the details of any other passengers and witnesses.

Once you have notified your insurer, leave it to them to process your claim and contact the other side – do not engage in conversation with the other side yourself.

What if the other driver offers to pay for the repairs?

The risks are too high with private agreements.

What if the other driver is uninsured and shouldn’t be on the road?
What if the other side makes a personal injury claim against you?
What if the repair you receive fails after only a few months?
What if the other person is a violent criminal and causes you harm?

Some of those ‘what ifs’ might sound extreme, but they are realistic worst-case scenarios from letting the other motorist pay for your repairs.

The bottom line is your car insurance is there to protect you, and you pay a premium for it, so use it. Don’t let the other side pay for the repair.

What to do if you only damage your own car

If you’ve damaged your own car, be it a scratch, scrape, or lifting paint off it after being too lively with a pressure washer, and there isn’t another party, your next step is to ask a local reputable car body shop for advice on suitable repairs and a quote.

Reporting incidents like these to your insurer isn’t always realistic, although depending on the extent of the damage, it might be worth claiming.

For instance, if you rip half the front bumper off your car on your driveway gate, the damage could extend to the undercarriage and any drive assistance systems integrated into the front bumper, such as radar-based cruise control.

If your vehicle's damage involves electronics and structural damage, an insurance claim will be the least expensive option.

Remember that you are probably NOT a mechanic or cosmetic body repair expert, so don’t make any decisions before getting expert advice.

Using a car repair body shop

Minor car accidents that result in dents, scratches, scrapes, and other cosmetic issues can be repaired by a reputable car repair body shop.

Longmynd Service Station has been fixing all types of accident repairs in Shropshire for over 50 years. We use genuine manufacturer parts and industry-standard paints, ensuring all repairs are seamless for perfect results.

The seemingly irreparable is fixable with new panels and colour matching, while scratches and other localised damage might require a panel respray or local repair with blending – the type of repair depends on the extent of the damage.

The only way to know where you stand is to take some photos and email them to your repair shop or pop in and let them see it in person (this is best).

Call us on 01694 722626 if you’ve had a minor accident, and we’ll guide you through the repair process with honest advice.