Making a claim on your car insurance is a fairly straightforward process.

Most insurance companies have a 24hr claims hotline which you should phone as soon as you get home after having an accident. (find details of what to do in an accident here)

The claims department will want to know what damage has been sustained, whether the car is drivable and its current location.

They may also want the police accident report number given to you by the officers attending the accident.

If no officers were present, it is your legal responsibility to report the incident to the police within 4 hours, either by telephone or in person, at which point you can also obtain the required number.

The claims department of your insurance company will then arrange to send you an accident claim form in the post.

It is recommended that you use the insurance company's preferred repairers to ensure a high quality repair and enable the repairs to be paid directly by them.

If you have comprehensive insurance cover, you can often call from the scene of the accident and your insurer will send a tow-truck to take your vehicle to their nearest approved garage.

If you only have third party insurance, you will need to arrange and pay for the repairs to your car yourself.

But if the accident was caused by the other party, you can claim your costs from the other driver or their insurance company.