And Almost Nobody Talks About It
After a non-fault accident, many drivers are told their car is a write-off.
At that point, most people hear terms like:
- salvage retention,
- buy-back,
- engineer valuation,
- settlement figure,
- and total loss.
But what many drivers DO NOT realise is:
some accident management companies massively inflate the amount you pay to keep your own car.
And by the time customers realise, the money has already gone.
What Is Salvage Retention?
When a vehicle is written off, the insurance company usually gives you two options:
Option 1:
The insurance company keeps the damaged vehicle and pays you the full settlement value.
OR
Option 2:
You keep the vehicle by paying the salvage retention amount.
This is often called:
- retaining your salvage,
- buy-back,
- or owner retention.
In many cases, insurance companies charge around:
10% of the vehicle value.
Here’s The Problem…
Some accident management companies add HUGE mark-ups onto that retention figure.
And many customers never even realise.
Example:
Your vehicle is valued at:
£10,000
Insurance company retention:
10% = £1,000
At Alpha Claims and Hire:
You pay £1,000.
That’s it.
No hidden fees.
No admin charges.
No inflated retention percentages.
We charge exactly what the insurer charges us.
But Some Companies?
Some accident management companies charge:
20% — 25% or even more.
That means:
Vehicle value:
£10,000
Insurance retention:
£1,000
But customer charged:
£2,500
That is:
£1,500 extra gone for absolutely nothing.
No extra repair.
No extra value.
No benefit to the customer.
Just inflated charges hidden inside the claim process.
Why This Happens
After an accident, most people are:
- stressed,
- confused,
- without a vehicle,
- and desperate to get things sorted quickly.
Many customers sign paperwork without fully understanding:
- where the money is going,
- who is receiving the settlement,
- or what they are actually being charged.
Unfortunately, that is where some companies take advantage.
Questions EVERY Driver Should Ask After an Accident
Before signing authority for any accident management company to handle your claim, ask them clearly:
1. What percentage are you charging me to retain my vehicle?
If it is more than the insurance company retention figure:
Ask why.
2. Is my settlement money coming directly from a regulated law firm — or through your company?
Transparency matters.
You should know exactly:
- where your money is going,
- who controls the settlement,
- and who is deducting fees.
3. Will I receive a full copy of the independent engineer’s report?
You should ALWAYS receive:
- the vehicle valuation,
- engineer assessment,
- and the official salvage retention figure.
If you are not seeing the report:
question it.
Why Transparency Matters
At Alpha Claims and Hire, we believe customers deserve honesty after an accident.
That means:
- clear communication,
- transparent charges,
- proper engineer reports,
- and no hidden mark-ups.
If the insurance company retention is:
10%
then we charge:
10%.
Simple.
No games.
No hidden cuts.
No inflated buy-back percentages.
Complete Accident Management — 24/7
Alongside salvage retention support, we also provide:
- replacement vehicles,
- prestige replacement cars,
- taxi replacement vehicles,
- vehicle recovery,
- damage assessments,
- personal injury claims,
- and complete accident management.
We are open:
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
In many cases, we can arrange:
replacement vehicle hire within 1 hour.
We Fight Liability — All The Way To Court
Insurance companies often try to:
- reduce settlements,
- dispute liability,
- or delay claims.
Our team helps fight liability disputes properly and protects customers throughout the claims process.
Where necessary, claims can be pursued all the way to court.
No Win No Fee
Our accident management service operates on a:
No Win No Fee basis.
In most non-fault accident claims:
- there are no upfront costs,
- no hidden fees,
- and no financial risk to getting help.
One Call Does It All
At Alpha Claims and Hire, one call can help arrange:
- recovery,
- replacement vehicles,
- engineer inspections,
- claim management,
- injury claims,
- settlement negotiation,
- and salvage retention support.
All handled under one roof.
Before You Sign Anything — Read The Small Print
If you have been involved in a non-fault accident:
do not blindly sign paperwork.
Ask questions.
Understand the percentages.
Request the engineer report.
Know exactly where your money is going.
Because the difference between:
10% and 25%
could literally cost you thousands.
Need Help After an Accident?
Contact Alpha Claims and Hire today for:
- replacement vehicles,
- salvage retention support,
- accident management,
- prestige vehicle claims,
- and no-win-no-fee accident assistance.
📞 0121 327 0382
📧 info@alphaclaimsandhire.co.uk
