Insurance Claims and Self-Driving Cars: A Step-by-Step Guide for UK Drivers

The rise of self-driving vehicles is transforming Britain’s roads, and with it comes a new approach to insurance claims. The Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 has established clear guidelines for handling accidents involving self-driving cars. Here’s what you need to know if you’re involved in an incident with an automated vehicle.

When is a Car Considered Self-Driving?

First, it’s important to understand what qualifies as a self-driving car under UK law. The Secretary of State maintains an official list of vehicles that are “capable of safely driving themselves.” This isn’t about cars with driver assistance features like lane-keeping or adaptive cruise control—we’re talking about vehicles that can operate without human monitoring in certain situations. Think of it like the difference between an autopilot that needs a pilot’s supervision and a fully autonomous system that can fly the plane by itself.

Who’s Responsible When Something Goes Wrong?

The good news is that the law makes this surprisingly straightforward. If you’re involved in an accident with a self-driving car, the insurer of the automated vehicle is liable for any damage or injuries—whether you’re a pedestrian, another driver, or even the person in the self-driving car. This is similar to how a regular car insurance claim works, but with one key difference: you don’t need to prove the automated vehicle was “at fault” in the traditional sense.

Making a Claim: The Process

If you’re involved in an accident with a self-driving car, follow these steps:

1. Gather Information: Just as with any accident, collect basic details, including:

• The vehicle registration number
• Insurance details
• Location and time of incident
• Photos of any damage
• Contact details of any witnesses

2. Contact the Insurer: Make your claim directly with the insurer of the automated vehicle. Under the new law, they must handle claims relating to accidents caused by self-driving features.

Special Circumstances

There are some important exceptions worth noting. The insurer might not have to pay if:

• The accident was caused by the owner making unauthorised changes to the car’s software
• The owner failed to install safety-critical software updates they knew about
• The person in charge of the vehicle allowed it to drive itself when it wasn’t appropriate to do so

These exceptions are similar to invalidating your insurance by modifying your car without telling your insurer or driving it in an unsafe condition.

What About the ‘Driver’?

Here’s where it gets interesting. If you’re in charge of a self-driving car, you’re not considered responsible for accidents that happen when the car is driving itself—unless you inappropriately allowed the car to drive itself when you shouldn’t have. Think of it like being a passenger in a taxi—you’re not responsible for the driving, but you would be responsible if you grabbed the steering wheel.

Looking Ahead

While fully autonomous vehicles are still relatively rare on UK roads, the legal framework is already in place to handle insurance claims involving them.

Remember, this is an evolving area of law, and as self-driving technology becomes more common, we may see further refinements to these regulations. If you’re unsure about any aspect of a claim involving an automated vehicle, it’s worth consulting with your insurer or seeking legal advice.

The key takeaway is that while the technology might be complex, the claims process has been designed to be straightforward for the average person—focusing on ensuring that victims of accidents involving self-driving cars can get compensation quickly and efficiently.