What to do after a road accident: a step-by-step checklist

Nobody expects to be involved in a road accident, and in the moment it is easy to forget what to do. Keeping a calm head and following a few simple steps protects your safety, your legal position and your insurance claim.

1. Make the scene safe

Stop your vehicle, switch on your hazard lights and, if it is safe to do so, place warning triangles to alert other road users. Check whether anyone is injured and call for medical help immediately if they are. Your safety and the safety of others always come first.

2. Report to the police

Report the accident to the nearest police station as soon as possible. Insurers will usually require a police report before they can process a motor claim, particularly where another party is involved or a vehicle has been stolen. Make a note of the reference number and the officer’s details.

3. Gather information

Exchange names, phone numbers, vehicle registration numbers and insurance details with the other drivers involved. Take clear photographs of the vehicles, the damage, the road layout and any skid marks or road signs. If there are independent witnesses, ask for their contact details.

4. Don’t admit liability

It is natural to want to apologise, but avoid admitting fault or agreeing to pay for damage at the scene. Liability will be established through the claims process, and an admission could prejudice your insurer’s position.

5. Notify your broker promptly

Contact us as soon as you can. Most policies require prompt notification, and delays can complicate a claim. We will tell you exactly which documents are needed — typically the completed claim form, the police report, your driving licence, the vehicle’s registration documents and repair quotations — and we will lodge the claim with your insurer on your behalf.

6. Let us do the follow-up

Once your claim is lodged, we follow up on assessments, approvals and repairs, and we keep you informed every step of the way. If anything in the insurer’s response seems unfair, we will challenge it. That’s what a broker is for.