Accident protocol

If you have an accident it’s important that you follow certain procedures, just as it is when you are making a claim through Privilege.

On UK roads every year there are thousands of road accidents that require claims to be made on car insurance policies. Many of these incidents are, thankfully minor, some however can be more serious. If you are involved in an accident it’s important that you take appropriate action both in terms of the health and safety of anyone involved and also with regard to gathering the right information in order to make a claim.

The breakdown and recovery service Green Flag offers some of the following advice should you be involved in an accident:

• Stay calm and don't admit blame.
• Make sure that the situation is not allowed to get any worse by alerting other traffic to steer clear of the incident.
• The next urgent priority is to deal with any injuries. If anyone appears to be seriously injured, check the ABC of first aid – airway, breathing, and circulation. Make sure someone calls for an ambulance. Keep any casualties warm and immobilised.
• If anyone is injured, then the police must be notified by law.
• If the accident is serious and car engines are still running, it makes sense to switch them off to minimise any fire risks.
• Always keep a notebook and pen in the car, and ideally a camera - a disposable one will do. Alternatively you can use a mobile phone camera. Use them to make notes and take photos showing the road layout, position of vehicles and their damage.
• Note the registration number, make and colour of other vehicles involved and ask their drivers for their name, address, and insurance details (including policy numbers). They are obliged by law to supply this information.
• If it is possible, try to obtain the names of any witnesses to the accident.
• If the police are involved, they may give you a report number or reference that you will need to keep for making a claim.
• If your car hits a dog or a farm animal, such as a sheep or cow, you are required by law to report the incident to the police. If you hit a cat or wild animal, there is no obligation to report it, but you should ensure that the animal is not injured and suffering.

While it will not help you get over the shock of an accident, knowing that you have the right level of car insurance in place through Privilege means that, injuries aside, you should be able to get back on the road as soon as possible.

In the case of more serious damage, Privilege car insurance, depending on your chosen level of cover, can provide a 24-hour recovery service and a free courtesy car, if yours is being repaired by one of our approved repairers. In the event of the car being written off, Privilege can provide a like-for-like replacement if the vehicle is less than one year old and the policyholder is the first registered keeper. Courtesy cars and like-for-like replacements are subject to availability.

Find out more about Privilege car insurance and exactly what is and isn’t covered by visiting our website. You can get an online car insurance quote in a few simple steps.

Click on the link to get a quote with our quick and easy to use online form.