Who are CRASH Services?

CRASH Services is an accident management company who have assisted over 150,000 local motorists following an accident since 1996. If you are ever involved in a road traffic accident, we can take care of everything. We can assist any motorist, no matter what you drive or whoever you are insured with. We are Northern Ireland’s largest accident management company and are here to help after an accident.

What is an accident management company?

An accident management company offers an end-to-end service handling the claims of those who have been involved in an accident. When you are not at fault for an accident, it is best to use an accident management company like CRASH Services, as handling your claim through your own insurer could affect your no claims bonus. At CRASH Services, we specialise in managing the after-effects of road traffic accidents and will work tirelessly on your behalf to mitigate that risk by taking on the case for you, from the moment you report the accident right through to recovery, repair and replacement costs from the at-fault party. Unfortunately, if you are at fault for an accident, you will have to handle the process directly with your own insurance.

We understand that a car accident can be stressful, so we speak to the insurance company on your behalf. After we have an initial call with you we liaise with your insurer, so you won’t have to spend a second longer worrying about your accident. We work to establish the liability of the collision to decide on how to progress your claim, either via the other person’s insurance company if you are not at fault or if you need to claim from your own policy. CRASH takes care of everything including: Recovering your vehicle from the roadside Providing a replacement vehicle Arranging guaranteed repairs Liaising with insurance companies Getting you your full entitlement

How much does it cost?

There is no charge to you for our accident management service, as we recover all costs from the insurers involved.

There’s no catch at all. We recover all costs from the insurers so you don’t need to worry about a thing! Whilst you can be reassured that we will keep you informed of all your entitlements.

Will this affect my no-claims bonus?

We protect your no-claims bonus. If you have been in an accident that wasn’t your fault, your no-claims bonus shouldn’t suffer, so let the specialist CRASH Claims Team help you claim against the other person’s insurance company. By protecting your no claims bonus, this helps to keep next year’s insurance premium down as well as avoiding having to pay any excess.

Will my insurance be affected?

No, if you are not at fault for the accident your insurance will not be affected.

Do I need to notify my own insurer even if I’m not at fault?

Yes, we recommend you let your insurance company know that we are taking on the case for you as this needs to be reported for information purposes.

What do I do if Third Party Insurers contact me?

If a member of a third party insurance contacts you simply refer them to us if we are dealing with your case. We take the stress away from dealing with insurance companies.

Can you tell me more about the services offered at CRASH?

We can arrange vehicle recovery, collision investigation, organise repairs, provide a replacement vehicle, liaise with insurance companies and offer legal and medical assistance. All at no cost to you.

Do you offer vehicle recovery?

With CRASH Services, you get exclusive access to our vast partner network. This includes quick and easy recovery anywhere in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. After giving us a call, we will arrange to collect your vehicle at the scene. We aim to have a recovery vehicle with you within one hour to collect your vehicle; rain, hail or snow.

What happens if my car needs to be repaired?

CRASH Services can organise guaranteed hassle-free accident repairs to your vehicle. We work with an extensive network of trusted repairers; they’re all ready to help get you back on the road. And if you don’t have a repairer in mind we can even find a repairer close to your home to guide you through the process.

Can I choose my own repairer?

Of course! We always want to ensure that you have the freedom to choose who repairs your car. If you wish to use your own repairer, we can arrange this too. It’s very likely that they are already working with us and recommending our services. We know that your car is essential to your everyday life, so we don’t wait about; we promise that we will work to ensure that your vehicle is repaired to the highest standard and returned to you as quickly as possible.

I’ve been left without a car! Can you arrange a replacement vehicle?

We will arrange a replacement vehicle for you. No matter what you drive, we have a replacement vehicle to suit you. Being involved in an accident doesn’t mean you should go without transport. That’s why we supply all kinds of vehicles including prestige models, commercial vehicles, motorbikes, PSV taxis and dual controls.

Will I get a similar car to my own?

No matter what you drive we will try our best to ensure you receive a vehicle suited to your daily needs. We offer a like for like vehicle whilst your car is off the road. We have an in-house hire department with a fleet of 300 vehicles. We can provide any type of vehicle from prestige models, 4x4s, commercial vehicles, including vans, PSV taxis, dual controls, motorbikes as well as standard vehicles of all sizes.

How do I get my replacement vehicle?

We deliver vehicles from our Belfast base to anywhere across Northern Ireland, so you don’t need to worry about collecting your replacement car.

Does my insurance cover the hire?

We recover all the costs from the insurers involved. For non-fault accidents, this cost will be recovered from the third party insurer involved.

Will I receive compensation relating to the depreciation of my vehicle if I’m involved in a non-fault accident?

Each case is unique. Receiving compensation for the depreciation of a vehicle depends on certain variables such as year and condition of the vehicle, and the damage the vehicle has sustained. However, if the independent engineer feels that depreciation applies to your vehicle after an investigation, we will try to recover this from the third-party insurance. Please note that depreciation is not guaranteed with any case and is opinion-based.

Do you offer legal assistance?

Our expert panel of solicitors will work tirelessly on your behalf with our indemnity insurance policy covering you for legal costs if you are involved in a vehicle collision. Our recommended solicitors can provide an indemnity policy to cover legal expenses for your passengers on a complimentary basis. They’ll also help you pursue compensation if you are injured as well as for any reduction in the value of your vehicle as a result of an accident.

I’ve been injured, do you offer medical assistance?

If you sustain an injury as a result of a road traffic accident, our sympathetic team of specialists can guide you through the rehabilitation process. We will liaise with the medical practitioners to help you along in the rehabilitation process. If you are not at fault, we can ensure that you receive all the medical help available to you.

We have offices across Northern Ireland in Newry, Belfast and Derry/Londonderry. So it’s easy to walk in and speak to one of our expert claims handlers.

I depend on my van for work, do you offer light commercial vehicle replacement?

Yes, we look after light commercial van accidents and replacement vehicles. No matter what you drive we will try our best to ensure you receive a vehicle suited to your daily needs. We have an in-house hire department with a fleet of 300 vehicles.

Do you offer taxi replacement vehicles after an accident?

Yes! A car accident is the last thing you need especially if your job involves driving. If you are a taxi driver and have a collision, we aim to have a taxi replacement vehicle fully fitted with equipment for you within one hour.

I don’t know what do to after an accident, can you help?

CRASH Services have created a new free Accident Advice Guide which explains your legal rights after an accident regardless of fault. You can download our Accident Advice Guide here or request a free physical copy.

COAST Driving Tips: How to Stay Safe on Northern Ireland Roads

Stay Safe on Northern Ireland Roads with the COAST Safe Driving Guide

As a road user, it’s all our collective responsibility to prioritise road safety while driving on the roads. One way to assist is by utilising the COAST mechanism, which can help you stay alert and focused on the road. COAST stands for Concentration, Observation, Anticipation, Space, and Time.

Concentration: Stay Focused on the Road

Concentration is crucial while driving, and it directly affects your observation skills. When your concentration is low, you may experience tunnel vision, limiting your field of vision and affecting your ability to notice hazards. Therefore, it’s important to actively engage in driving and avoid auto-pilot mode, which can lead to careless driving. One of the best ways to maintain concentration is to carry out a short commentary drive. Say out loud what you see as you drive along. Looking well ahead for anything that may make you need to consider changing speed or direction. This will automatically feed into the observation phase of C.O.A.S.T.

Observation

Observation skills can be improved by systematically scanning the road ahead, starting with the near ground in front of you and moving towards the far ground and to the rear. By doing so, you can detect hazards early, make informed decisions, and create a safe space for yourself and other road users. There are many observation links out there (see below) that you can use to make your driving safer once you train yourself to look out for them:

Speed limit decreases, built up area ahead.
Lamppost cluster ahead, possible roundabout.
Single lamp post on roadside, possible junction.
Vegetation/Buildings straight ahead, road goes left or right.
The hedge/treeline indicates the general angle of the bend.
Cyclist, where there’s one there may be more.
Horse manure on the road, look out for horse riders ahead.
Bins at the end of driveways, possibly the bin lorry is around the next bend.
Damaged verges or worn centre lines, possibly a route used regularly by large vehicles.

This list is not exhaustive, and you will develop many more observation links of your own.

Anticipation

Anticipation will be much improved using your observation skills. It is another critical aspect of safe driving. It’s the ability to anticipate what might happen next and be proactive in responding to potential hazards. This can help increase reaction times and provide you with enough time to create a safe space.

Space and Time

Allowing adequate Space and Time will help to select a safe speed. Remember, on dry roads, a safe space should be at least two seconds between you and the vehicle in front, doubling in wet conditions and up to ten times in severe weather. To judge the two-second rule, use a landmark like a tree and count two seconds as the vehicle in front passes it. If you notice the car behind is tailgating, you then just drop further behind the car in front of you to create more space. This will allow you to manage the tailgater and allow you to concentrate in front of you rather than behind and will only add a second or two to your journey Also, remember to adjust your speed to match the stopping distance you can see clearly, as highlighted in Rule 126 of the Highway Code.

In summary, by following COAST and prioritising Concentration, Observation, Anticipation, Space, and Time, you can make informed decisions and stay safe on the road. Remember, safety should always come first!

How CRASH Services Can Help You After A Car Crash or Accident

At CRASH Services, we specialise in helping drivers in Belfast, Newry, Derry~Londonderry and across Northern Ireland get back on the road quickly.

After an accident, our expert team will take care of: