From the whiplash tariff to vehicle damage and lost earnings — a plain-English look at what makes up a non-fault claim, with the current 2025 figures.
There's no single number — a claim is the sum of several parts. Here's what typically goes into a non-fault motor claim, and the current figures where they're fixed by law.
Injury: the whiplash tariff
For most whiplash injuries from accidents on or after 31 May 2025, compensation is set by a fixed government tariff. It runs from £275 for an injury lasting up to three months to £4,830 for one lasting 18–24 months (slightly higher where there's also a minor psychological injury). More serious injuries fall outside the tariff and are valued individually.
Vehicle damage
You're entitled to have your vehicle repaired to its pre-accident condition, or — if it's written off — to a settlement reflecting its true market value. This is often the largest single part of a claim.
Replacement vehicle
The cost of a like-for-like replacement while your car is off the road is recoverable from the at-fault insurer.
Uninsured losses
These are the costs your own policy won't refund, and they add up:
- Your insurance excess
- Lost earnings for time off work
- Travel costs — taxis, public transport, fuel to appointments
- Other out-of-pocket expenses caused by the accident
Why the figures matter
Insurers settle millions of motor claims a year, and the average paid claim reached around £4,900 in 2024. Knowing the parts of a claim helps you spot a low offer. Swift Assist arranges your replacement vehicle, recovery and storage, and connects you with a specialist solicitor who values and pursues your injury claim — get a free, no-obligation assessment by calling us.
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About this guide. Written and reviewed by Swift Assist's claims specialists, who handle non-fault motor accident claims for UK drivers every day. Figures are taken from official UK sources and checked on publication. It is general information, not legal or financial advice. See our sourced UK statistics.