Ask your insurer for advice. Your insurer may recommend a particular garage or windscreen repairer. This could avoid the need for you to arrange an estimate for the work required and get this approved by your insurer before the repair work can commence. As well as speeding up the repair considerably, this could allow your insurer to take advantage of any discounts secured in advance with certain repairers.

Many insurers' recommended repairers will also be able to provide you with a courtesy car whilst your vehicle is being repaired (if this isn't provided for separately as a policy benefit).

If you take your car to another repairer, send the repairer's estimate to your insurer. They will check it and, if it is agreed, they will authorise repairs subject to your completing a satisfactory claim form.

When you collect the car after repairs you may have to pay the first part of the claim if you have an excess on your policy. You pay this money direct to the garage, whether or not you were to blame for the accident. Your insurers may also ask you to pay a part of the cost of repairs if your car is put into a better condition than before the accident.

The cost of repairs is your responsibility until your insurers have agreed to pay. For your peace of mind, you may want to obtain confirmation from your insurer that they accept liability and will pay the cost of repair.