Almost 1 in 5 (18%) uk drivers admit they wouldn’t know what to do if they were in an accident

• Nearly 1 in 3 (32%) of those who’ve been in an accident admit to apologising, risking invalidating insurance claims.
• Almost a third (32%) of drivers admit to calling a family member when they were involved in an accident.
• Worryingly, nearly half (49%) of UK drivers didn't know they should report any accident to their insurance company. 6% admitted that they didn’t declare their accident to their insurer.

Nearly 1 in 5 (18%) UK drivers don’t feel confident in knowing what to do after being involved in a car accident, new research reveals. And this shows that many drivers are at risk of invalidating their insurance, or impacting their claims.

That’s according to new research by Confused.com. While many are unclear, more than 4 in 5 (82%) drivers say they feel confident in knowing what to do if involved in a road accident. However, the research found that many skipped some key steps. According to the research, almost half (45%) of those who have been involved in an accident in the past admit to not taking the details of the other driver, while almost 2 in 3 (61%) didn’t take photo or video evidence of the accident scene. One in 2 (50%) also failed to alert their insurance company at the time of the incident.

And with more than 128,000 road users being involved in a road accident in 2024, it is more important than ever that motorists are aware of the steps to take should this happen to them¹.

Almost a third (32%) also admit to calling a family member when they were involved in an accident. But for some, this was their first port of call. Almost 1 in 10 (8%) drivers who’ve been in an accident, admitted this was their first step. 4% of all drivers also admit this would be one of the first steps they'd take if they were involved in an accident.

Many drivers also admit to taking steps which could land them in hot water. Almost 1 in 3 (32%) of those who have been in an accident admit to apologising at the scene, risking their insurance claims.

Whether you think you’re in the wrong or not, avoid apologising at the scene of the accident. This could be argued by the other party as an admission of fault. Despite not legally accepting responsibility by apologising, the other party could try to use it against you at a later date. Confused.com found that a quarter (25%) of 18 to 24 year olds apologised despite not being at fault. However, drivers aged 25 - 34 are the most likely to apologise for an accident on the roads. That’s as more than 3 in 5 (61%) admit to apologising - 22% of which were not at fault. That’s compared to just 14% of 55 - 64 year olds and 18% of over 65’s.

Taking the appropriate measures following an accident is important in making sure all parties involved are covered and protected accurately. Confused.com research reveals that 6% of drivers have not reported an accident they were involved in to their insurance company.

However, nearly half (49%) of UK drivers don’t realise that road accidents should be reported to their insurance company. Not doing so can void policies, increase insurance prices, and risk future coverage refusals².

It’s important for drivers to know that insurance is in place for support. Although, even if an accident isn’t your fault, drivers could still see an increase in premium costs. That’s because any claim associated with the vehicle could be seen as a risk.

If drivers don't inform their insurance provider about an accident, it could be seen as a non-disclosure. This could invalidate your policy or result in it being cancelled entirely.

And this is the case, even if you don’t make a claim. Almost 1 in 4 (23%) drivers admit to having a small bump and not reporting this to their insurer. It’s best to be upfront in these situations. Disclosing all information could benefit you in the long run and make the aftermath of a road accident easier to navigate.

This isn’t in place to deter drivers from reporting an incident. Instead, it’s to raise awareness of the precautions drivers should take in case they are involved in an accident. These factors include the severity of the claim, policy type, claims history, who was at fault, and your no claims bonus.

Car insurance experts at Confused.com share an insight into what to do if you are involved in a road traffic accident. This includes checking for injuries, calling emergency services if necessary, and exchanging details with the other driver. Each of these steps are important in making sure the accident is reflected as accurately as possible for your insurance. Understanding the right steps to take can help drivers overcome the aftermath of an accident as quickly and safely as possible.

Rhydian Jones, motoring expert at Confused.com comments, “Being involved in an accident on the roads isn’t something pleasant to think about, but it’s important that motorists are prepared and know what to do if this happens.

“Our research shows that almost 1 in 5 (18%) of drivers wouldn’t know what to do if they were involved in a road accident.

“Checking for injuries, getting everyone to safety, exchanging details with those involved, and recording details of the accident scene sit at the top of people’s minds. While these are the right things to do, many people don’t prioritise calling their insurer and naturally apologise. It’s important not to apologise at the scene as this could invalidate your insurance claims if the other party held this against you. This could land you in hot water when making a claim.

“Even if you don’t want to make a claim, it’s important that your insurer knows about any accident you’ve been involved in to reassess your policy.

“Insurance is in place to keep you and our roads safe, as well as making the aftermath of a car accident as straight-forward as possible.”

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Notes to editors