AA Car Insurance: Guide to Motor Insurance Claims
Call AA Claims Assist on 1890 467 100 to make a claim on your car insurance. Assistance is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
An AA claims advisor will take details of your claim and advise on what you need to do next.
If you have a car accident
It's a good idea to make sure you're prepared for an accident by keeping a pen and paper, a first-aid kit and a torch in the car.
First attend to anyone who has been hurt in the accident. If anyone is injured, call an ambulance if necessary and then call the police to obtain an incident number.
Once you're able to assess damage caused by the accident, stay calm and don't admit fault.
Exchange these details with the other driver: name and address, telephone number, car registration number, insurance company and policy number.
Also record the names, addresses and telephone numbers of passengers and any other witnesses to the accident.
Write a description of how the accident happened, including sketches if they will help to explain what happened. If you have a camera and it is safe to do so, take photos at the accident scene.
Report the accident to AA Claims Assist 24-hour car insurance claim line on 1890 467 100.
Frequently Asked Questions - All you need to know about Car Insurance Claims
What should I do in the event of an accident?
What are my obligations in the event of an accident?
Who will deal with my claim?
Who repairs my car?
What is a policy excess?
What happens if my car has been stolen or receives theft related damage?
What is a total loss?
Will I receive a courtesy car while my car is repaired?
What if the accident was not my fault?
What happens if the accident was my fault?
What should I do if the other party contacts me?
What if the other driver disputes the accident circumstances?
What is an uninsured loss?
What if I have been injured in an accident?
How do I make a glass claim?
What should I do in the event of an accident?
In the unfortunate event that your vehicle has been involved in an accident, or involved in any other incident which may result in a claim by you or a third party, please contact AA Ireland as soon as reasonably possible on our 24-hour claim line: 1890 467 100.
A claims advisor will take details of your claim and advise you on what you need to do next.
What are my obligations in the event of an accident?
First, attend to anyone who has been hurt in the accident. If anyone is injured, call an ambulance if necessary and then call the police to obtain an incident number.
Exchange these details with the other driver:
- Name and address.
- Telephone number.
- Car registration number.
- Insurance company and policy number.
Who will deal with my claim?
When you speak to AA Claims Assist on 1890 467 100 they will discuss options available to you. Depending on the accident circumstance, your claim will either be dealt with by AA Claims Assist or the third party insurer.
Details of your insurer are included in your Certificate of Motor Insurance.
Who repairs my car?
AA Claims Assist have a network of authorised repairers throughout Ireland and the nearest repairer will be appointed to carry out the repairs. The garage will liaise with you directly in order to arrange a suitable time for an estimate to take place.
If the vehicle is confirmed to be repairable, then the repairs will be completed by the approved repairer.
You may use your own garage only after you have submitted an estimate to your insurer and they have authorised the repairs. Should you wish to use your own garage a courtesy car will not be provided.
What is a policy excess?
An excess is the first portion of a claim which you have to pay, regardless of blame, when your vehicle is repaired or written off, and is individual to each policy. You will only have to pay your own excess and not the third party's excess.
You will need to pay the policy excess as shown on the policy schedule. If your vehicle is repairable, you will need to pay your policy excess direct to the repairer. In the event your vehicle is a total loss or stolen and not recovered, your insurer will deduct any applicable excess from the settlement issued to you.
If you were involved in an accident that was not your fault, we may be able to recover the excess paid from the insurer responsible under the Drivers Legal Protection Plan which you have paid for in your premium.
What happens if my car has been stolen or receives theft related damage?
If your car is involved in a theft related incident, the first thing you will need to do is contact the nearest Garda station and to report the incident.
In many cases a claims assessor is appointed who may contact you to discuss the claim. A theft excess may apply to your policy and this will be deducted from any offer made.
What is a total loss?
In some cases, the cost of repairs to the vehicle may exceed the value of the vehicle and therefore the amount your insurers are prepared to contribute for repairs. Should this be the case your insurer will appoint an engineer to assess the value of the vehicle prior to the accident and you will be made an offer for the settlement of your claim.
The engineer will consider many factors when calculating this value, including the age of the vehicle, the condition of the vehicle and mileage. Your insurer may also request that you submit your keys and documents relevant to the vehicle and insured drivers before any settlement will be paid. To avoid any unnecessary delays it pays to clarify which documents your insurer needs.
Will I receive a courtesy car while my car is repaired?
Having an AA Comprehensive Motor Insurance policy means that following an accident, you will usually be provided a courtesy car while your car is repaired by your insurer-approved repairer.
The availability of this service depends on your AA motor insurer's arrangements with its approved repairers.
A courtesy car is not available if the vehicle is a total loss or stolen and not recovered, where you are claiming for a third party or for accidents occurring outside the Republic of Ireland and the UK.
In addition to your insurer courtesy car hire cover, you are covered for an additional two weeks car hire under your Drivers Legal Protection Plan. This cover applies in the event of a non fault accident where your vehicle is unable for use and no other vehicle is available. No cover applies where the vehicle is damaged as a result of theft, vandalism, or where the negligent party cannot be identified.
What if the accident was not my fault?
If you have been involved in an accident which is 100% not your fault, you may choose to claim directly from the third party or from your comprehensive motor insurance policy.
If you choose to claim from your Comprehensive car insurance policy, your insurer will then attempt to recover the loss from the negligent third party. It is important to note that until your insurer recovers the monies paid out that this will count as a claim on your policy and your no claims bonus may be affected. You will also have to pay your policy excess in this instance.
You are covered for two weeks car hire under your Drivers Legal Protection Plan, which you paid for as part of your motor insurance premium, in the event of a non fault accident. This cover applies where your vehicle is unable for use and no other vehicle is available. No cover applies where the vehicle is damaged as a result of theft, vandalism, or where the negligent party cannot be identified. Your Drivers Legal Protection Plan will allow you to recover any excess deducted in the event of a non fault claim.
What happens if the accident was my fault?
If you have comprehensive car insurance cover, your insurer will arrange for the repairs to your vehicle or the settlement if the vehicle is a total loss.
What should I do if the other party contacts me?
If you receive any correspondence from the third party, their insurer or solicitor forward this unanswered to your own insurer, and they will respond on your behalf.
If you are contacted by telephone, please ask the caller to ring us on 1890 467 100. Please do not agree to any of the services offered without talking to us first as any services offered by the third party may not be in your best interest.
What if the other driver disputes the accident circumstances?
Your insurer will always do their very best to obtain an admission of liability from the other driver or their insurer by providing them with the evidence gathered based on the information you have supplied them with.
If the evidence provided does not fully support either driver's version of the event both insurers may need to take some responsibility.
What is an uninsured loss?
An uninsured loss is money you have paid out following a car accident that was not your fault and which is not covered by your car insurance policy. For example, your policy excess, additional travel expenses or loss of earnings.
Uninsured losses are recovered from the insurer of the person responsible for the accident.
If your accident was not your fault and you have Drivers Legal Protection cover contact us on 1890 467 100 and we will help you recover your uninsured losses.
What if I have been injured in an accident?
If you or your passengers have suffered any form of injury as a result of the accident, which you do not believe to be your fault, we may be able to provide you with the services of a solicitor who will make a claim for compensation for you or your passengers injury and will include any other losses that you may have incurred, for example your policy excess or loss of earnings.
If you or your passengers have any physical pain as a result of the accident please contact us on 1890 467 100 and a member of the panel will be appointed. You will not be charged by the solicitor for this work.
How do I make a glass claim?
If you have fully comprehensive AA Car Insurance this extends to the provision of repairs to glass related damage. If you need to make a glass claim all you need to do is call All Glass on 1890 467 100 and the repairer will arrange for a specialist technician to carry out the repairs. This cover is available for Third Party, Fire and Theft cover in some instances.
Providing you use the authorised repairer, your insurer will pay the bill. Usually, your no claims discount is not affected by a glass claim.