Accident Assist
Had an accident? Contact us first
We'll take care of everything, from vehicle recovery to making a claim
Hassle-free, 24/7 claims service
Quality care for you and your vehicle
Independent service that’s on your side
What is Accident Assist?
Accident Assist is a complimentary 24/7 accident claims service for all our breakdown members.
It's down to you who handles your claim after an accident. You can choose your insurer's claims service or an independent one, like Accident Assist.
We'll help with your insurance claim, acting on your behalf – at no additional cost – no matter which company insures you or who was at fault for the accident:
- We’ll arrange accident recovery if your vehicle isn’t driveable.¹
- We’ll arrange your repair with our trusted, AA-approved accident repairers. They use the latest technology and fit genuine vehicle manufacturer parts.
- We’ll provide a hire vehicle of a similar size to your own for the duration of the repair.²
- We'll liaise with insurers on your behalf.³
- We won't charge you an excess if you're not at fault for the accident.
- We'll provide personal injury support to you and any passengers.
- We can arrange a vehicle glass repair or a replacement. You'll only pay your insurer's excess. Book a glass repair online.
- To make a claim for damaged or vandalised tyres, call us on 0330 053 0221.
- If you have AA car insurance, find out how to make a car insurance claim.
Accident Assist explained in 60 seconds
Watch our short video to learn about our hassle-free, 24/7 car accident claims service, which includes recovery, repair, a courtesy or hire car, and talking to your insurer.
Why call Accident Assist to handle your insurance claim instead of your insurer?
AA Accident Assist
Most insurers ⁴
AA recovery if your carʼs undriveable ¹
Yes
No
Repairs using vehicle manufacturer genuine parts
Yes
No
AA-approved repairers using the latest technology
Yes
No
Vehicle manufacturer warranty protected by using genuine parts⁵
Yes
No
Repairer guarantee on the quality of the repair ⁶
Lifetime guarantee
3 years +
No policy excess to pay if youʼre not at fault
Yes
?
A hire car within 2 hours if yours isnʼt safe to drive ⁷
Yes
?
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0330 053 0221
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Does AA breakdown cover include Accident Assist?
Yes, being a member with breakdown cover means you have access to Accident Assist – our complementary accident claims service. Contact us first after an accident and we'll do the rest.
Is there a cost for this service?
No, as long as we handle your claim it’s included as part of your membership.
If the accident isn’t your fault, we recover all costs from the other party’s insurer. Similarly, there’s no extra cost if the accident was your fault.
If you were at fault for the accident and need recovery, we may ask you to pay for this upfront – however this will be reimbursed to you once your vehicle’s repair is completed by an AA-Approved Repairer. Your only liability is any uninsured cost, such as policy excess.
How does it work with my insurer?
If the accident isn’t your fault, we recover all costs from the other party’s insurer.
If the accident is your fault, we simply manage the repair. You’ll need to notify your insurer that you’re reporting a claim, and get a claim reference number to give to the AA’s accident repairer so they can go ahead with your repair. The AA-approved repairer will estimate the damage and get repair authorisation from your insurer. The only cost to you is your policy excess.
If you handle my claim could it increase my next insurance premium?
Does the AA cover accident recovery?
Yes. It’s included when you opt for Accident Assist to handle your claim.
If you decide to a make a claim with your insurer instead of Accident Assist or choose not to make a claim and require recovery only, there will be a fee to pay.
Can you provide help for all accidents – even a small dent, broken glass or tyres?
Do I need car insurance if I have Accident Assist?
Accident Assist works alongside your car insurance policy. It doesn't replace it, and it isn't a substitute for your legal requirement for your vehicle to be insured and doesn’t cover your liabilities to others.
Can you help with damaged glass?
Yes, we can help with the repair or replacement of any damaged glass. There’s no cost, except the policy excess that’s payable on your insurance policy, and it won’t affect your No Claims Discount.
Good to know
1 Accident Recovery is included when you opt for Accident Assist to handle your car insurance claim – whoever your insurer. If you opt-out and request only Accident Recovery, there is a fee to pay.
2A hire car of the same or similar size and specification to your own car will be provided after an accident that wasn’t your fault. A small courtesy car is provided by the repairer if you were at fault, subject to availability.
3 If the accident was your fault, we’ll ask you to get a claim reference number from your insurer. We need this to get their authorisation to carry out your vehicle’s repair.
4Information based on insurer policy wordings and available insurer information online as of 30 May 2023.
5If a non-genuine part is fitted and later fails, this is not covered by your vehicle manufacturer warranty.
6The repairing AA-approved garage will provide a lifetime workmanship guarantee for the quality of the repair of your vehicle for as long as you are the registered owner.
7Time promise applies to normal working hours of 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday. A hire car of the same or similar size and specification to your own car will be provided after an accident that wasn’t your fault. A small courtesy car is provided by the repairer if you were at fault, subject to availability.
Accident Assist works alongside your car insurance policy and isn’t a substitute for your legal requirement to insure your vehicle. This excludes any accidents occurring outside England, Scotland or Wales. For more details, please refer to your AA breakdown terms and conditions.