What to do if you’re involved in a collision with a driverless car, according to insurance experts
- Perry Richardson
- May 1
- 2 min read
The arrival of driverless vehicle services in the UK has prompted fresh guidance for motorists on what to do if they are involved in a road collision with a self-driving car.
US autonomous vehicle company Waymo launched a robotaxi pilot service in London earlier this month and is planning to open a full public service in September, adding momentum to the UK’s move towards automated passenger transport.
With driverless cars expected to begin operating more widely on UK roads later this year, Alicia Hempsted, car insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, said motorists should follow largely the same process as they would after any conventional road traffic collision.
Hempsted advised drivers to document the vehicle’s registration number and operator details, alongside recording the time and location of the incident. She also recommended noting environmental and traffic conditions, including weather and congestion levels, as well as confirming whether the automated vehicle was operating in self-driving mode at the time of the incident.
MoneySuperMarket outlines key steps for motorists ahead of planned wider robotaxi launches in the UK later this year
Witness statements and photographs could also prove important when establishing liability following a collision involving autonomous technology, while emergency services should be contacted if required.
Hempsted said: “Under the Automated Vehicles Act 2024, when a vehicle is operating in an authorised self-driving mode, liability for any accident typically shifts from the driver to the vehicle’s insurer or manufacturer, although the specifics will depend on the vehicle, the circumstances and whether the driver intervened or misused the system.”
The comments come as insurers, vehicle manufacturers and transport operators prepare for the legal and operational implications of autonomous vehicle deployment in Britain. The Automated Vehicles Act 2024 established the legal framework governing authorised self-driving systems and clarified insurance responsibilities where automated driving technology is active.
Hempsted added that motorists should notify their insurer after any incident involving a robotaxi or autonomous vehicle, regardless of who appears to be at fault. She said drivers should make clear during the claims process that the other vehicle involved was operating in self-driving mode.
Hempstead said: “Under the Automated Vehicles Act 2024, when a vehicle is operating in an authorised self-driving mode, liability for any accident typically shifts from the driver to the vehicle's insurer or manufacturer, although the specifics will depend on the vehicle, the circumstances and whether the driver intervened or misused the system.
"Regardless of who was at fault in an accident with a robotaxi or driverless car, you should also contact your insurer and tell them what happened, including that the vehicle was self-driving.”
