In an emergency, call 999 first. If anyone is injured, the road is obstructed or there is immediate danger, contact the emergency services before you contact us.
Car accident claims support from report to repair
Had a car accident? Start your report online with the details you know, even if photographs or a claim reference are not available yet. Sterling can review qualifying recovery, vehicle assessments, managed repairs and replacement options, subject to eligibility and written terms.
Prefer to explain it in writing? Email claims@sterlingaccident.co.uk.
Find the right accident support for your vehicle
Sterling is an accident-management company rather than a retail bodyshop. Choose the route that best matches your situation, or send an accident report so the team can review the available route.
Car accident claims
One route from the first online report through recovery, assessment, repair and vehicle return.
View accident-claim guidanceAccident management
See how one Sterling case contact coordinates the organisations and decisions around a vehicle claim.
View accident managementNon-fault accident claims
Understand the review, liability, recovery and replacement-vehicle position when another driver may be responsible.
View non-fault guidanceTaxi and PCO accident claims
Vehicle accident support for licensed taxi and private-hire drivers, with the appropriate insurance, licensing and working-mobility checks.
View taxi and PCO guidanceAccident recovery
If your vehicle cannot be driven safely, review collection details and how qualifying recovery or storage may be coordinated.
View accident recoveryReplacement vehicles
Understand reasonable need, courtesy car and credit-hire options, supplier availability and the agreement before accepting a car.
Check replacement optionsWhat does Sterling decide? We coordinate vehicle-side support; the insurer, engineer, repairer or other authorised party still decides liability, policy cover and repair approval. If a separate credit-hire or credit-repair contract is proposed, ask about personal liability for unrecovered charges before agreeing. Read the credit-hire guidance.
Not sure which route applies, or looking for support in your town? Browse service areas or start an accident report and tell us the vehicle's current location.
Five useful accident photos — when safe to take
These five examples help with the vehicle review, but you do not have to stand beside the damaged car or collect every photo before reporting. The accident form includes an option to send photographs after your call-back.
- 1 Front of your vehicle
- 2 Rear of your vehicle
- 3 Damage close-up
- 4 Other vehicle
- 5 Number plates
Photographs help the team understand the damage
When taken safely, clear images show where damage occurred, help identify vehicles and support the repair or engineering review. If you are away from the vehicle or cannot take photos safely, choose the photos-later option when completing the online report.
- Take photos in daylight where it is safe to do so
- Stand back far enough to show the whole vehicle
- Include readable number plates when safe and available
- Never step into live traffic to get a picture
Your information is used to handle your accident report. See our Privacy Policy.
The Sterling Promise
Start with what you have.
Photos can follow.
A prompt specialist call-back
Once your report arrives, a claims specialist reviews it and aims to call you back promptly to confirm the details and explain the options open to you.
Free Accident Recovery
If your vehicle is not safe or legal to drive, we can recover it at no cost and arrange onward storage where the claim qualifies.
Replacement-vehicle assistance
Where you are eligible, we look at a replacement vehicle matched to reasonable need while yours is off the road.
We handle the administration
Engineer assessments, repair authorisation, documentation and third-party correspondence are coordinated from one place.
Suitable repairers across the UK
Your repair is coordinated through a suitable independent network repairer working to Sterling's published documentation and quality requirements.
Updates from start to finish
You will know what stage your claim and repair have reached, and what happens next, until your vehicle is back with you.
Recovery, replacement-vehicle and repair services are subject to claim eligibility, liability, availability and applicable terms. Sterling Accident coordinates accident support and claims administration; it is not an insurer and does not provide legal advice. Where a third party or insurer must authorise a decision, that decision remains theirs.
The Sterling Return Ready package
Repairing the accident damage is the job. Handing your vehicle back in good order is the finish. Qualifying repairs completed through our network include a practical care package before your vehicle comes home.
- Engine oil and filter change
- Screenwash topped up
- Tyre pressures checked
- Interior vacuumed
- Exterior wash
- 12-month vehicle health check
The Return Ready package applies to qualifying repairs completed through the Sterling repair network. Oil service suitability, oil specification and filter availability follow the vehicle manufacturer's requirements. Inclusions are subject to Sterling Accident's published terms and may be varied where a manufacturer service schedule or vehicle condition makes an item unsuitable.
How we help you
One point of contact from your first report through to the day your vehicle is back on the road.
1Report your accident
Share what happened, where and when. Add safe photographs now or choose to send them after the call-back.
2We review and coordinate
We check the information, discuss eligibility with you and start the administration.
3Repair and mobility
We arrange the assessment and repair and, where eligible, look at a replacement vehicle.
4Back on the road
Once authorised repairs and required checks are completed, Sterling coordinates handover and any replacement-vehicle return.
Repairs coordinated with people who do this every day
We arrange the damage assessment, agree the repair method with the repairer, obtain the authorisations needed and keep the work moving. You deal with us rather than chasing several parties.
- Damage assessment and engineer liaison
- Repair authorisation and variation handling
- Parts ordering coordinated with the repairer
- Quality checks before your vehicle is released
Managed repair network
Staying mobile while your vehicle is off the road
Losing your vehicle affects work, school runs and everything in between. Where your claim is eligible, we look at a replacement vehicle matched to reasonable need — from a small hatchback to a van or an adapted vehicle.
- Matched to reasonable need, subject to availability
- Delivery or collection arrangements discussed with you
- Your responsibilities explained before you accept a vehicle
Replacement vehicles are subject to claim eligibility, reasonable need, liability, supplier availability and written terms. A credit-hire agreement can create responsibility for disputed or unrecovered costs; understand credit-hire options before signing.
Why choose Sterling Accident
Practical, plainly explained support at the point where most people are least sure what to do next.
Accident specialists
Our focus is one thing: getting the right support in place after a road accident.
UK repair network
Access to independent repairers we work with regularly, coordinated by us.
Start online
Submit your report whenever it suits you. Our team reviews the details and follows up.
Costs explained upfront
Charges, obligations and anything you may be responsible for are set out before you commit.
Quality checks
Repairs are managed against the standards we publish for network partners.
The questions we are asked most
Stop, make the scene as safe as you can and check whether anyone is hurt. If anyone is injured, the road is obstructed or there is immediate danger, call 999 first. When it is safe, exchange details with the other driver and take photographs of the vehicles, the damage and the number plates.
No. Report what happened and tell us if you are unsure. Liability is decided on the evidence between the parties and their insurers, not by us, and being unsure does not stop you making a report.
Not automatically. Replacement-vehicle assistance depends on claim eligibility, liability, availability and the applicable terms. We will tell you honestly whether it is likely in your circumstances before anything is arranged.
Tell us who you would like to use and we will look at whether the repair can be coordinated there. Where a repairer cannot meet the standards required for the work, we will explain why and suggest an alternative from our network.
They are used to assess and progress your accident report and are shared only with the parties who need them to do that, such as an engineer or repairer. Our Privacy Policy explains how we handle your information and how long we keep it.
Yes. The online accident form allows you to select the option to send photos after the call-back if you are away from the vehicle or cannot photograph it safely. Supply the location and details you know; do not take risks to obtain pictures.
Yes. GOV.UK says you must report an accident to your insurer even if you are not planning to make a claim. You can also contact Sterling to discuss practical vehicle support, but that does not replace insurer notification.
No. Recovery at no cost applies only where the claim qualifies. Replacement vehicles depend on eligibility, reasonable need, supplier availability and the agreement. An independent credit-hire or credit-repair arrangement can create obligations for disputed or unrecovered costs, so ask for the written terms before accepting.
Report your accident and let us take the next steps
Start online with the accident details you know. No policy paperwork or claim reference is needed to begin; you can select the photos-later option if you are not with the vehicle. Need help? Email the claims team.