New to Ireland and someone crashed into you? Here is how it works.

At the scene: what Irish law asks of you

• Stop and stay at the scene for a reasonable time.
• If anyone is hurt, call 999 or 112.
• Report it to the Gardaí. If a Garda is not at the scene, report the accident to a Garda nearby or at a Garda station as soon as possible.
• Swap details: names, addresses, the car registrations and the insurance details. Note any witnesses.
• Take photos of both cars, the damage and the other car's registration plate, before anything is moved.
• Do not admit fault and do not sign anything at the scene.

Source: Citizens Information, "Motor vehicle collisions"; Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, "Making a car insurance claim": "Do not admit fault at the scene."

Afterwards: the part many newcomers don't know

You may be used to going through your own insurer. In Ireland, if the crash was not your fault, you can claim directly from the other driver's insurance company. Your own policy is then not used, so you do not pay your excess and your no-claims bonus is not used.

You should still tell your own insurer about the accident. For most insurers it is a condition of the policy. Telling them is not claiming from them.

Source: Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, "Making a car insurance claim": "You can make a claim directly from the other person's insurance company"; "Notify your insurer as soon as possible, even if you do not plan to claim."

If the other driver had no insurance, or drove off

If the crash was caused by an uninsured or unidentified driver, you may be able to claim from the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland. More on that here.

If you were hurt

Get medical help first. Injury claims in Ireland have their own route and a time limit. How the injury side works.

What we do

Not My Fault is an independent Irish company. We are not linked to any insurer. We arrange an independent assessment, the repair and a replacement car where you need one, and we deal with the other driver's insurer for you. There is no upfront cost, and everything is in writing before you sign.

Our phone line is in English. If English is not your first language, you are welcome to have a friend or family member on the call with you, or to ring for you.