Making an Insurance Claim After an Accident

The aftermath of a road accident is never a pleasant event, even if the damage caused was as minor as a dented bumper.

It may be hard to concentrate on the details after a shunt, but if you have to make a claim on your car insurance, you’ll need to know what to report, when and the key information that you’ll need.

Failure to do so accurately could invalidate your claim or drastically reduce the payout you are entitled to.

First steps after an Accident

It is advisable to contact your insurance company and tell them about the accident as soon as you can after the event, even if you do not want to make a claim.

Most car insurance policies specify a time period in which they expect you to report an accident. These time periods can be anything from 48 hours up to in some cases two weeks.

Check the wording of your policy carefully after an accident as if you fail to report it within the allotted time period the insurance company is under no obligation to continue with your insurance claim.

Other Drivers

If your car has been involved in a collision with another vehicle, the insurance company will want you to provide the details of the other drivers.

Try to provide the most thorough details that you can, including the vehicle registration of any other cars, the name, address and telephone numbers of the other drivers and their insurance company details also, although the name of the insurance provider is usually enough.

Information on the Accident Itself

Once you have given the insurance company details of the other parties involved in the accident, you’ll need to explain to them precisely how the accident happened.

You need to give them as much information about the accident as you can, as it will help them to not only process the claim but also, if necessary, make a judgement as to who was the cause of the accident.

Sketches and photographs are often useful, provided they were made at the scene and at the time. The best evidence is always through witnesses, however, so it is worth trying to get the contact details of anyone who saw the accident

Making a Claim on Your Insurance

When you contact your insurance company they will be able to offer you advice in how to take your claim forward should you wish to do so.

Depending on the level of insurance you have in place you may be entitled to free legal representation and a courtesy car whilst your vehicle is being repaired.

The insurance company will be able to contact the insurance companies working for the other people involved in the accident and it is left up to the companies to resolve the matter in a fair and reasonable manner.

You can make a claim on the insurance of the other driver following an accident if it can be determined that the other driver was either fully responsible or partially responsible.

If it is proved, you may be able to use the other driver’s insurance to claim for some or all of the following: repairs to your vehicle; recovery of the excess amount on your insurance policy; loss of earnings after an accident and personal injury costs.

Specialist companies will usually be appointed by your insurance company or broker who will assist in managing each element of your losses.