Accident Recovery and Insurance Claims — What You Need to Know

After a road accident, the decisions you make in the first hour can affect the cost and outcome of your insurance claim significantly. Here’s what you need to understand about the relationship between accident recovery and your insurance.

You Have the Right to Choose Your Recovery Company

This is the most important thing to understand. Your vehicle is your property, and you have the legal right to choose who recovers it. You do not have to use a recovery company sent by the police, the other driver’s insurance, or a company that approaches you at the scene.

Some recovery companies operate arrangements with insurers or solicit work at accident scenes, and their fees can be extremely high. You have the right to refuse and call your own provider.

What to Do at the Scene Regarding Recovery

1. Ensure everyone is safe and call 999 if needed

2. Call your insurance company to report the accident (even if you’re not claiming)

3. Ask your insurer what recovery arrangement they have — some policies include accident recovery

4. If you need to move the vehicle immediately for safety, call a trusted recovery operator like Jam’s on 07369 205 703

Storage Fees — A Common Trap

If your vehicle is taken to a storage facility after an accident (by the police or an attending recovery company), daily storage fees can accumulate quickly. Some facilities charge £40–£100+ per day.

Move the vehicle as soon as possible to a location where storage fees aren’t applicable — a repairer, your home, or a secure location of your choice. If you can authorise someone to collect it while you’re dealing with the aftermath, do so quickly.

Using Your Insurer’s Approved Repairer

Insurers often direct you to their approved repair network. There are advantages to this — the insurer manages the process and guarantees the repair — but also disadvantages, particularly if you have a specific preference for your vehicle’s bodywork or want to use a trusted local garage.

You have the right to use your own repairer. If you choose to, make sure your insurer agrees the repair cost in advance.

Who Pays for Recovery?

If the accident is the other driver’s fault, their insurance should ultimately cover the cost of your recovery. However, you may need to pay upfront and reclaim — keep all receipts and invoices.

If the accident is partly or fully your fault, your own comprehensive insurance may cover recovery. Check your policy excess and decide whether claiming is worthwhile.

Uninsured Recovery Costs

If for any reason your insurance doesn’t cover recovery, Jam’s provides transparent, fixed-price recovery. Call us to get a quote — we’ll be honest about the cost before we arrive.

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*Jam’s Breakdown & Recovery provides accident recovery across Milton Keynes and surrounding areas. Call 07369 205 703 for immediate assistance.*