Details insurers need about accident scene
Insurance info you need to get at the scene of an accident - Aon South Africa.
ALBERTON – Accidents are stressful situations but knowing the information and details you need to take down will ensure that your claim is handled swiftly.
“Never accept liability in an accident – it is the job of the insurance assessors to work out who is responsible,” says Mandy Barrett of insurance brokerage and risk advisors, Aon South Africa. “Your insurer and broker will handle all third party dealings in order to recover your excess and reinstate your no-claim bonus if the accident was not your fault. You don’t want to compromise this process by accepting liability that is not yours,” she explains.
At the scene of an accident, make a note of the following information straight away:
• Take down the registration and license disc number of all parties involved.
• Include details about the make, model and colour of the car/s.
• Ask for the other party’s driver’s licence and/or ID book and take down all their details.
• Get the other driver’s insurance details.
• If there are any witnesses, obtain their names and contact information.
• Take photos, where possible of the damage and scene, as well as important documents such as the license disk and driver’s license. Cellphones with built in cameras are handy in such a situation but also make hand written notes, just in case.
• Write out a detailed account of how the accident happened before you forget any details. Include details about the lighting, weather and road conditions.
• It is essential for all the parties involved to report the incident to the police within 24 hours and to get a case number. In the event of a third party not being insured, your insurer will honour your claim.
