If someone has been injured or died as a result of a car accident, then it must be reported to police. However, even if the accident was only minor, it’s a good idea to always report it to your insurance company. Even if you do not intend to claim the accident on your own insurance, the other drive may make a claim against you. This can happen even if they indicate that they will not claim at the scene of the accident. If the driver does make a claim it will assist you if your insurance company already has the details of the accident, including your side of the story.
After an accident you may also receive a letter of demand in the mail. You can pass these letters onto your insurance company. Most will require you to pay your excess before they will accept acting on your behalf for the claim. A letter of demand means that the other drive is holding you responsible for the accident and is asking for compensation. Your insurance company will help determine who was at fault, but you should also decide who you think is at fault, or whether you share liability for the accident.
If you intend to claim any repairs to your own car, you must report the accident to your insurance company, who will then liaise with the other person’s insurance company. If you do not know the details of the person at fault, then you should contact the police. They may be able to help you locate the other driver.
Insurance companies often have a time limit on when you can lodge a claim against your policy, and so it’s a good idea to contact them as soon as possible after any car accident.
