Honest, plain-English answers for drivers in Belfast. No insurance jargon, no runaround — just what actually happens, in the order it happens.
Before anything else — take a breath. The shock wears off fast. Here's what matters, in order:
Already done all this? Ring us on 07525 645242 and we'll take it from there — insurance, courtesy car, and getting your car back on the road.
Ten things people in Belfast ring us about after a crash. Straight answers.
Yes. Every policy requires you to notify your insurer about any crash, even a minor one — even if you don't plan to claim, and even if no one was hurt. It's buried in the small print of every policy.
Tell them the facts, ask them to log it, and make clear whether you're claiming or not. Failing to report a bump you later try to claim on can invalidate your cover.
Good news: you can claim through the other driver's insurance instead of your own. That usually means no excess to pay and no impact on your no-claims bonus.
Non-fault claims are where we shine — we manage the whole thing, chase the other insurer, sort a courtesy car, and keep you out of it. Just ring us with the other driver's details.
If you were at fault, yes — your excess is whatever you signed up for when you took out the policy, typically £250–£500.
That's why we give you £250 cash back when you collect your car. For most drivers, that wipes out the excess entirely. Simple.
Want us to handle the claim for you?
Ring us nowIf the other driver was at fault, their insurance pays — and you're entitled to a like-for-like replacement (drove a van for work? You get a van).
If you were at fault, it depends on your policy. Many include a small courtesy car as standard, but some only if you use an approved bodyshop. We'll check your policy for you and arrange a courtesy car either way — you won't be left without wheels.
Most jobs take 5 to 10 working days. A scuffed bumper or dented panel might be 2–3 days. Bigger structural work can run 2–3 weeks, especially if parts are coming from the mainland.
You'll have your courtesy car the whole time, so it's never a lift-juggling situation.
Yes. This one catches people out. Your insurer may push you toward their own approved network — but you have the legal right to use whichever repairer you want.
Insurer networks often use volume pricing that affects quality. An independent, insurance-approved shop like ours gives you the same smooth claims process without the corners being cut.
It means the bodyshop meets the technical standards insurers require: proper paint-matching equipment, correct welding for structural repairs, trained staff, and the documentation process they need.
Kell's Kolour Shop is fully insurance approved, which is why claims through us go through without delays or arguments.
An uninsured driver hit you? You can claim through the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) — a body set up specifically for uninsured and untraced driver claims in the UK, Northern Ireland included.
MIB claims take longer than a normal insurance claim, but the damage is still covered. Ring us and we'll point you through the process.
Yes, within 24 hours, if any of these apply:
For a straightforward bump where everyone exchanged details and no one was hurt, you don't need to call the PSNI.
If your insurer writes the car off, they'll offer you the market value — what the car was worth the day before the crash, not what you paid or what you owe on finance.
You can — and often should — challenge the valuation if it feels low. Gather 3–5 adverts for the same model, age, and mileage as evidence. We can also give you an independent opinion on the damage before you accept an offer, so you know whether the write-off call is fair.
On finance? The finance company owns the car — you'll need to speak to them too. If the payout is less than what you owe (negative equity), that's where GAP insurance kicks in, if you have it.
We handle your insurance claim, arrange your courtesy car, get your car repaired properly, and hand you £250 cash back when you collect it. One call, everything sorted.