vehicle
Law and insurance
What is important to know in the event of an accident, and in a car insurance claim
Accidents, unfortunately, occur every day and if you come across one - it is very important that you know what the right course of action is for you, so that you get what you deserve from the insurance and you can return to the routine of life as soon as possible.
Here is a short and accurate guide on the subject
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accident
car insurance
The Phoenix, Walla!
A vehicle in partnership with the Phoenix
Monday, 22 November 2021, 16:35 Updated: Tuesday, 23 November 2021, 07:47
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The car is one of the most valuable assets we own and not just on the financial level - between a man and his car, men and women alike, there is also an emotional connection.
A new scratch across the car door is not just a scratch, it is a scratch on the heart, but in many cases we have no one to blame, sue or demand compensation when it happens.
Therefore, after a collision, there is a very clear sequence of actions to be taken to handle the situation in the best way, get what you deserve from the insurance company and get back to routine as quickly as possible.
Important to emphasize: The first thing to make sure in case of an accident is of course that no one or anyone was injured.
You can then proceed with the sequence of actions, without the need for police or ambulance involvement.
In case of an accident, first of all make sure there are no casualties.
Then, go through the sequence of actions (Photo: ShutterStock)
Order of operations after an accident without casualties
First, stay calm. Do not heat up the situation and do not come out with accusations and shouts that could worsen the situation. This way you can manage the situation successfully, including ordering a tow truck if necessary, arriving at the garage, repairing the vehicle, etc.
Document quickly:
If there are no casualties and the vehicle can be moved without a tow, it is important to evacuate the accident area so as not to interfere with traffic and create a traffic jam. But just before you move, grab your smartphone and photograph the vehicle from all directions. Once you move, you will be free to photograph the vulnerability more closely. If the vehicle is damaged so that you can not move and move to the side of the road, call the insurance company immediately and order a tow truck.
Witnesses:
If there are witnesses in the area - additional drivers or pedestrians, you should ask if they are willing to give their contact details to assist in the prosecution. They are not obligated to testify (certainly if there are no casualties) or to provide personal or contact information.
Registration:
Write down the route and direction of travel in which you and the vehicle or other vehicles involved in the accident and the exact accident area - the road number, the name of the intersection, the kilometer on the road (look for the small sign on the side of the road). Add in dots everything you remember - the speed of travel, what exactly happened, who seems to have caused the accident and more. Write down the details of the vehicle or other vehicles involved - type, color, model, license number.
Exchanging details between drivers:
You must exchange contact details with those involved in the accident - name, phone numbers, email address. You should instead call the numbers given to you and make sure they are correct. After exchanging the contact details, you must exchange personal details and documents - ID card, driver's license number as well as the name of the insurance company and the policy number of each of you.
When writing down the details of the policy, compare it to the details of the driver, to make sure that the driver owns the vehicle. If the identity of the driver is different from the name stated in the policy, demand to get the contact details of the vehicle owner.
After exchanging details, present the registration you have written to yourself to the driver in front of you.
If he signs it, what good.
He is not obligated to do so, just as you are not obligated to sign any statement or record in his presence.
Documentation, registration, details, witnesses - everything is important (Photo: ShutterStock)
Communication with the insurance company
We assume that you have comprehensive car insurance. It is time to check the policy and its clauses, what coverages and what extensions it includes and also check the level of your participation fee.
If the vehicle needs to be towed - you should order it as quickly as possible through your car insurance and through one of the insurance company's digital communication channels for it online and in real time. If your insurance company does not maintain digital channels, you should register this with yourself and with the renewal of the insurance, switch to a more advanced insurance company.
After checking the policy data and deductible, if you have decided to file a car insurance claim you should report this to your insurance company quickly and get clear instructions. Most insurance companies will send you a link for fast and digital reporting.
When purchasing the policy, you have chosen whether you want to repair the damage to your vehicle in the insurance company's arrangement garage and thus usually receive benefits in the participation fee, as well as gain a faster process of car care, or you have opted for private garage care.
In the first option, you choose from a list the garage you want to go to and the insurance company will pay the cost of the damage (less the deductible, if any) directly to the garage.
In the second option, you must come to your garage and carry out the process of approving the damage assessment between the appraiser and the insurance company.
The insurance company will cover the repair expenses you will pay to the garage only after it has approved the damage estimate and costs of the appraiser.
In any case, do not forget to remove personal belongings or valuables from the vehicle.
No garage is responsible for the loss of these and it is a shame to get into these situations.
Did you purchase with the extended replacement vehicle policy?
Check how and where you get the vehicle.
What happens after filing a car insurance claim?
After filling out the car insurance claim forms, the insurance company will send you an initial response confirming receipt of the documents. The insurance company will require you to submit within 7 days your full version of the circumstances of the accident and your claim for compensation. It must check within 30 days the extent of your entitlement to compensation, in accordance with the terms of your policy and reply in a reasoned letter whether your claims are accepted and what the payment components are or if your claim is not accepted and in this case, it must specify why.
If you have received a rejection letter for your claim and its reasons do not satisfy you, you can contact the insurance company with the details you think were not taken into account and demand further clarification, and you can file a claim in court. The limitation period for a car insurance claim is 7 years from the date of the accident (the insured event).
If you intend to sue a third party for the damage to your vehicle, you will receive a detailed explanation of the process from your insurance company, including a letter of "failure to file a claim" confirming that you are not filing a car insurance claim with your insurance company.
What do you do if, God forbid, there are casualties?
(Photo: ShutterStock)
Accident with casualties
In the event of an accident with casualties, you must call the police and ambulance immediately as well as the fire brigade, if it is necessary to rescue casualties or of course put out an active fire.
Give your exact location, number of casualties and an overall assessment of their condition.
In the event of an accident with casualties, do not move the vehicle until the security forces arrive, place a prominent red triangle at least 100 meters before the scene, wear a yellow vest (both should be inside the vehicle or in the trunk) and turn on 4 lights in all vehicles involved.
Only after you have performed these actions will you be free to make personal documentation and exchange details with the others involved in the accident.
In the event of such an accident, it is very important to try to find witnesses in the area and ask them (politely and calmly) for contact information with them.
Remember that your compulsory insurance covers for bodily and mental injuries, regardless of proof of guilt.
Remember that you must be responsible and manage this situation as calmly as possible.
This is an unpleasant situation and can be very difficult for everyone involved and therefore, drink water, relax, do not move injured and be as calm as possible - these are extremely important things in accidents of this type.
In any type of accident, it is very important to communicate with the insurance company and file and manage the claim as soon as possible so that you can return to your routine as soon as possible.
Renewal of car insurance after an accident
An important detail worth knowing and remembering.
The cost of the premium for each car insurance depends on various parameters, one of which is called past insurance and is the documentation of your car insurance claims in the three years prior to the current renewal.
In the event of a minor accident with minor injuries, the cost of which is close to your deductible, it is advisable to think and avoid the insurance claim in order to avoid an increase in the price of the premium when renewing the insurance.
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