At-Fault Accidents: What PCO Drivers Need to Know

You caused the accident. You're a PCO driver. Now what?

Most claim guides assume you were the innocent party. This one is for the times you weren't. Here's how at-fault claims work for Uber, Bolt, FreeNow, and Ola drivers - and how to keep earning while it's resolved.

What "At Fault" Actually Means

You're at fault when liability rests with you: rear-ending another car, pulling out without checking, reversing into a parked vehicle. Liability is decided by the insurers based on evidence, not by what you say at the scene.

**Important:** Don't admit fault verbally. Even if you think you caused it, the legal picture can be different. Just exchange details and call us.

What Changes vs a Non-Fault Claim

**Excess applies.** You'll pay your policy excess up front. This is the amount stated in your policy schedule - usually £250-£500 for PCO cover.

**No-claims bonus.** Your no-claims discount may be affected at renewal. Some PCO policies include "protected no-claims" - check yours.

**Loss of earnings.** You can't claim loss of earnings from anyone. There's no at-fault party to recover from. This is the biggest financial impact for most PCO drivers.

**Replacement vehicle.** Depends on your policy. Some PCO policies include "own damage credit hire" - others don't. We'll confirm in the first call.

How We Help Even When You're At Fault

Our service doesn't stop at the fault line. We can:

• Manage repairs through your insurer - Provide a TfL-licensed replacement (if your policy covers it) - Co-ordinate with your insurer to speed up authorisation - Get your vehicle through our in-house bodyshop in 5-7 days

You pay your excess. Your insurer pays the rest.

TfL and Uber/Bolt: What to Tell Them

You don't need to inform TfL about an at-fault accident unless:

• The vehicle is written off - Your insurance is invalidated - The DVLA flags your licence

You don't need to inform Uber or Bolt unless your vehicle is unavailable for more than 7 days, in which case update your availability in the driver app.

Minimising the Damage

To keep the at-fault claim from costing more than it has to:

• Report to your insurer within 24 hours - Keep all paperwork from the scene (photos, other driver's details, any police report) - Don't discuss fault on social media or with the other driver after the fact - Use one repair quote source (us) - multiple quotes can slow things down - Keep working in a replacement if your policy allows it

Getting Back to Work

Most at-fault claims for PCO drivers resolve in 2-3 weeks if the damage is straightforward. With our in-house bodyshop, repairs themselves take 5-7 days.

Your earnings stop while you're off the road, so the priority is: get into a replacement, get your vehicle into repair, get back on the apps.

When to Walk Away From a Claim

Sometimes the cheapest option is to pay for the repair yourself rather than claim. Consider this if:

• Damage is under £500 - You'd rather protect your no-claims bonus - Your excess is close to the repair cost - Your premium would jump significantly at renewal

We give you the repair cost upfront so you can make this call before claiming.

Key Takeaway

At-fault doesn't mean alone. We handle the bodyshop, the insurer paperwork, and the replacement vehicle the same way we do for non-fault claims. The difference is who pays - not the level of service you get.

**Need help with an at-fault claim?** Call us 24/7. We'll talk through the numbers before you commit.