Being in an accident is stressful enough without wondering what happens to your car next, or who is going to pay for it. This guide walks you through what actually happens during accident repair, who usually pays, and what you can expect it to cost, so you know what to expect before you book anything in.
What actually happens when your car goes in for accident repair
Once your car arrives at a body shop, the first job is recovery if it cannot be driven safely, followed by a proper look at the damage. A technician checks the car with proper diagnostic equipment rather than just eyeing it up, because accidents often damage things you cannot see from the outside, such as the frame underneath a panel or the sensors behind a bumper.
After that, the paperwork side gets sorted. Photos are taken, an estimate is put together, and if you are claiming on insurance, the body shop deals directly with the insurer so you are not stuck explaining the same story on the phone over and over. Once everything is approved, the actual repair work begins, using manufacturer-approved parts and methods so the finish matches what the car looked like before the crash. You should also be kept mobile with a courtesy car while the work is being done, if your cover includes one.
Before you get the car back, it goes through a final quality check. This is where a technician confirms the repair meets the right standard, checks that everything lines up and closes properly, and makes sure nothing has been missed. Our accident claim management service handles this whole process for you, from the first phone call through to the final handover.
Who pays for accident repair?
This is usually the first question drivers ask, and the honest answer is that it depends on whose fault the accident was.
If the accident was not your fault, the costs should come from the at-fault driver’s insurer, not from you. This is where an accident claim management service is useful, because it deals with the other driver’s insurer on your behalf, arranges your courtesy car, and gets the repair booked in, all without you paying an excess.
If the accident was your fault, you will usually claim through your own insurer instead, and you may need to pay your policy excess before the repair goes ahead. For very minor damage, such as a small scuff that would cost less to fix than your excess, many drivers choose to pay for the repair themselves rather than make a claim at all, since a claim can affect future premiums. MoneyHelper’s guide to making a car insurance claim explains this trade-off well, and notes that a straightforward claim can be settled in about a week, while a more complicated one can take several months.
Whichever route applies to you, it is worth telling your own insurer about the accident even if you are not claiming through them, since most policies require this.
How much does accident repair cost
There is no single price for accident repair, because the cost depends entirely on what actually needs fixing. A small scuff on a bumper is a very different job to a dented door or a bent panel, and the price reflects that. The table below gives you a general idea of what to expect if you are paying for the repair yourself, based on the type of damage.
| Type of damage | What the repair usually involves | Typical cost if paying yourself |
|---|---|---|
| Small dent, paint not broken | Paintless dent removal, pushing the metal back into shape | £60 to £150 |
| Small dent with paint damage | Filler, sanding and a colour-matched respray | £150 to £300 |
| Medium dent or panel damage | Bodywork repair and a full respray of the panel | £300 to £600 |
| Large dent, crease or bumper damage | More extensive bodywork and paintwork across the panel | £500 to £900 or more |
| Wider accident damage across several panels | Full accident repair, often including mechanical and safety checks | Priced individually after a proper assessment |
Our guide on how much car dent and paint repair costs in London breaks the paintwork side of these prices down further, and our article on the cost of dent removal looks specifically at how paintless dent removal compares with traditional bodywork repair on price.
These figures are a general guide rather than a fixed price list. Your own quote will depend on your car, the exact panel affected, and what the damage actually looks like once a technician has had a proper look, which is why a good bodyshop should always assess the car in person before giving you a firm number.
Why the repair method changes the price so much
Two dents that look about the same size on the outside can cost very different amounts to fix. The deciding factor is almost always whether the paint has cracked. If the paint is still in one piece, a technician can often push the metal back into shape from behind the panel without touching the paintwork at all, which keeps the job quick and the price low. Once the paint has broken, the panel needs filler, careful sanding, primer and a colour-matched coat of paint blended in with the panels around it, and that extra work is what pushes the price up.
Where the damage sits on the car matters too. A dent on a flat door panel is usually simpler to reach and reshape than one on a curved wing or bumper, so panel shape and position affect the final cost as well as the size of the dent itself.
Getting it repaired properly
Whatever caused the damage, it is worth having the car looked at by a body shop that is fully insurance-approved, so the repair is carried out to a standard your insurer will accept and any warranty stays valid. This matters just as much for a straightforward accident as it does for a more serious one, since a repair that is not done properly can leave hidden problems behind the panel that only show up later.
Frequently asked questions
Should I claim on insurance or pay for the repair myself?
For small, cosmetic damage, many drivers are better off paying for the repair themselves, since a claim can affect your premium and you may need to cover your excess first. For anything more serious, or damage caused by another driver, claiming is usually the sensible route.
How long does accident repair take?
This depends entirely on the extent of the damage. A small paintless dent repair might be done in a few hours, while a larger job involving several panels can take longer, especially if parts need to be ordered in.
Will I get a courtesy car while my car is being repaired?
This depends on your insurance policy and how the claim is being handled. If you are eligible, a courtesy car should be arranged for you so you are not left without transport.
Get your car looked at properly
If your car has been in an accident, do not guess at the cost before someone has actually seen the damage. Call our team on 020 8798 2590, and we will assess it properly, talk you through your options and, if you are claiming, handle the insurance side from start to finish. You will find us at Unit 12 Barking Industrial Park, Alfred’s Way, Barking, London IG11 0TJ, and we cover drivers across Essex and East London.