If you have Third Party or Third Party Fire and Theft cover - your policy will not cover accidental damage to your car. You therefore have to pay the repair bill yourself or claim from the other driver if he or she was legally liable for the damage.

• Contact the other driver - preferably in writing - saying that you intend to claim from him/her.
• Say that you hold him/her responsible and ask him/her to tell their insurers.
• Write direct to their insurers, if you have details, quoting the other driver's policy or certificate number.
• Send a repairer's estimate as soon as possible - their insurers may well ask you for additional estimates.
• Tell your own insurers that you are claiming against the third party.
• The other driver should tell you who their insurer is. If not, you should be able to obtain details from the Motor Insurers' Information Centre.

On receipt of your letter the third party may settle your claim themselves or may pass the matter to their insurers. If the insurer considers their policyholder entirely to blame it will pay your claim provided they have full information. If it considers that you were entirely or partly to blame it may refuse your claim or suggest a compromise.

The third party may refuse to co-operate at all in which case you should seek advice from your insurer, insurance adviser, motoring organisation or solicitor. You may, at the end of the day, have to take legal action against the other driver or their insurer. You may have legal expenses cover which will cover the costs of doing so - so it is worth checking your motor policy for this.