What Should You Do After a Car Damage for Insurance?
Introduction
An accident or damage to your car can be quite stressful. In addition to repairing the damage, you must also take immediate action to activate the insurance correctly. But what exactly should you do after a car damage? In this blog we explain step by step how you can best approach this to avoid problems with your insurer.
1. Keep Calm Ensure Safety
Stop immediately: It is legally required to stop after an accident.
Ensure safety: Pull over your car if possible, turn on your hazard lights and use a warning triangle.
Check for injured people: Call 911 immediately if there are any injured people.
2. Gather Evidence
To file a successful claim for damages, it is important to gather sufficient evidence:
Take photos: Document damage to all vehicles involved, the location of the accident and any traffic conditions.
Record information: Collect the name, contact information and insurance information of the other people involved.
Find witnesses: Ask for contact information for any witnesses.
3. Complete the Damage Form Correctly
The claim form is essential for your claim:
Use a European claim form: This is accepted by all insurers in the Netherlands.
Be clear and complete: Write down all relevant information, such as the date, time, location, and a description of the accident.
Sign together: Make sure that all parties involved sign the form.
4. Report the Damage to your Insurer
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible:
Online reporting: Most insurers offer the option to report damage online or via an app.
Telephone contact: In case of serious damage, it is better to call immediately.
Send all documents: Attach the claim form, photos and any other relevant documents.
5. Have the Damage Appraised
Your insurer may ask to have the damage assessed by an expert:
Choose an affiliated repairer: Many insurers work with specific garages.
Keep all invoices: If you pay for the repair yourself, keep all receipts to submit to your insurer.
6. Check your policy conditions
Before you take action, it is wise to check your policy conditions:
Deductible: See what amount you have to pay yourself.
Coverage: Check whether the damage is covered by your policy (for example with all-risk or WA+).
Additional insurance: Some damage may be covered by passenger insurance or legal assistance.
7. What if the Other Party Is Uninsured?
If the other party is not insured, you may be able to rely on:
The Motor Traffic Guarantee Fund: This fund covers damage caused by uninsured or unknown perpetrators.
8. Tips to Avoid Problems
Be honest: Provide an accurate description of the incident. Insurers can reject claims due to fraud or incorrect information.
Report damage on time: Many insurers have a deadline for reporting damage.
Stay accessible: Make sure you can respond quickly to questions from your insurer.
Conclusion
After a car accident, it is crucial to remain calm and take the right steps immediately. By collecting evidence, completing the claim form correctly and contacting your insurer in a timely manner, you can avoid delays and complications. Good preparation and knowledge of your policy conditions make the process a lot easier.
