Car accident – what do I need for insurance?

1. To grasp the situation: Keep calm and check if you are injured. Pay attention to the traffic behind you when you open the car door. Do not leave the scene of the accident under any circumstances – even if it is unclear whether you are involved. Because: Hit-and-run is punishable by law.
2. Securing the scene of the accident: Switch on the hazard lights and put on your safety vest. Then set up a warning triangle or warning light – in city traffic at a distance of 50 metres from the car (country road: 100 metres, motorway: 200 metres). Then leave the road and climb behind the crash barrier.
3. Call the police: If people are injured, notify the police and emergency services. Then help others. In motor vehicle accidents with injured persons, everyone is obliged to provide first aid - not only those involved in the accident.
4. Exchange contact details: Write down the surname, first name, address, telephone number, license plate, car insurance and insurance number of all persons involved. Share your contact information with others. It is best to prepare an accident report together, which all parties involved in the accident sign.
5. Documenting damage: Photograph the accident situation from as many perspectives as possible. For example, have you caused parking damage to a car whose driver is not on site? Then you are obliged to wait at least 30 minutes to see if the injured party comes (obligation to provide information). Only then are you allowed to leave the scene of the accident. Leave your contact details at the scene of the accident and report the accident to the police immediately.
6. Clarify the question of guilt: Secure as much evidence as possible, but do not plead guilty. In order to clarify the question of guilt, an accident report completed by all parties involved and signed witness statements are helpful.
7. Organize towing service: If your car is no longer roadworthy, have it towed. If petrol or oil has leaked, the police usually commission the fire brigade or a specialist company. You can remove shards and loose fairing parts yourself – provided you don't put yourself in danger. Don't forget to take the warning triangle or warning light with you again.
8. Report an accident to the insurer: Inform your insurer about the motor vehicle accident as soon as possible. You can report the accident damage by phone, in writing or online. As a rule, you are obliged to report the accident to your insurer within one week at the latest. Depending on the type of accident or damage, your motor vehicle liability, Fully comprehensive or partially comprehensive responsible.

Do you want to report accident damage to your insurer? To settle claims after an accident, motor insurers need detailed information on the process, damage and persons involved. The following information is relevant for your car insurance:

• Place, date and time of the accident
• License plates of the vehicles involved
• Contact details of all parties involved in the accident (name, address, telephone number)
• Car insurers and insurance numbers of the other party in the accident
• Description of the course of the accident
• Indication of visible accident damage (e.g. damage to bodywork, damage to luggage carried)
• Accident sketch or photos of the accident site and damage
• If applicable, signatures of those involved in the accident

Report a car accident to your insurer as soon as possible (e.g. online), even abroad. Most motor insurers have claims hotlines that can also be reached around the clock from other countries.

In the event of an accident abroad, it is helpful for the motor insurer if all persons involved together European Accident Report fill in. The standardized document is available in several languages. Everyone involved in the accident can enter what happened in their own language. The completed and signed report is important for clarifying the question of liability. To be prepared for a car accident on vacation, you should keep one in the glove compartment when traveling abroad.