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The answer depends on your insurer and your policy.

Will a non-fault accident affect my insurance?

A non-fault accident handled through the at-fault driver’s insurer should not affect your no-claims bonus or require you to pay your excess. Whether it affects your renewal premium is a separate question and the answer is less straightforward.

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Your no-claims bonus

If nothing goes through your own policy, your no-claims bonus is not affected. The non-fault claim never enters your insurer’s records as a claim against your policy as it is a third-party claim made against another insurer. Your bonus remains intact.

Your excess

Your excess is not triggered. Excess applies when you make a claim on your own policy. In a non-fault accident handled through the at-fault driver’s insurer, you are not making a claim on your policy, so excess has no role.

Your renewal premium

This is where the answer becomes less clear. Insurers can ask at renewal whether you have been involved in any accidents in the past five years, regardless of who was at fault. If you have been, they may price your renewal differently.

The logic is that involvement in accidents, even as the innocent party, is a statistical signal that some insurers price for. This is a commercial decision, not a penalty, but the practical effect on your premium can be the same. It varies significantly between insurers.

Not a claim, but still a fact
A non-fault accident that never went through your policy is not a claim. But insurers can still ask about accidents at renewal and price accordingly. Whether yours does depends on your insurer.

What you must disclose

You are legally required to answer renewal questions accurately. If your insurer asks whether you have been involved in any accidents in the past five years, a non-fault accident must be disclosed. Failing to disclose it is misrepresentation and can invalidate your policy.

Switching insurers

If your current insurer increases your premium following a non-fault accident, other insurers will also ask about it. The impact varies considerably between providers. Shop around as some insurers treat non-fault accident history very differently from others.

Frequently asked questions

Can my insurer increase my premium after a non-fault accident?
Yes. Your insurer can rate your renewal based on accident involvement regardless of fault. They cannot remove your no-claims bonus if nothing went through your own policy, but they can price the renewal differently. This is a commercial decision that varies between insurers.
Do I have to tell my insurer about a non-fault accident?
Yes, if they ask. Most renewal forms ask about accidents in the past five years, regardless of fault. You must answer accurately. You are not usually required to report it mid-policy unless your policy terms specifically require notification of accidents as they happen.
Will a non-fault accident show on my insurance record?
It depends on whether your insurer was notified and how they record it. If the claim was handled through the at-fault driver’s insurer and your insurer was simply notified of the accident, the record should reflect it as a non-fault incident rather than a claim against your policy.

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