Accident Repair
What to do in the event of an accident
No-one wants to think about being involved in a car accident but it’s vital to prepare for the worst just in case it happens. Here we look at the procedures you should follow and how you can get your vehicle back on the road after a wreck.
Preparing for a car accident
It may sound odd to be prepared for an accident, but a few simple steps before a crash occurs can make the repair and claims process run smoothly.
Consider carrying a camera or camera phone in your car at all times so you can take pictures at the scene. Carry a pen and paper so you can note down the names of witnesses, sketch the area and more. Also keep your insurer’s contact number to hand so you can contact it as soon as possible.
When an accident occurs…
Here is a step by step guide explaining what to do if an accident occurs:
- Stop: Leaving the scene of an accident is illegal so don’t be tempted to drive away even if you think no-one has been hurt.
- Contact the emergency services: If necessary get in touch with the emergency services as soon as possible – an ambulance may be required for any injured parties; and you may need to contact police to block a stretch of road.
- Exchange details: Keep calm and exchange details with any other drivers involved in the accident – note down their name, address, telephone number, vehicle registration, make, model, insurance company and policy number. Look for witnesses too and note down their details.
- Record details: Note down as many details as possible – make a sketch of the scene, note down street names, vehicle directions, the state of other drivers, etc. Take pictures too if you have a camera.
- Contact the police and an insurer: You will need to contact the police to obtain an incident number and then pass the details on to your car insurance company.
How to choose an accident repair centre
There are a number of considerations to make when choosing an accident repair centre:
- Cost: How much are repairs likely to cost? Always ask for an estimate if your insurer won’t cover the expenses.
- Finishing touches: Will the repair centre make your vehicle look as good as new with a wash and interior vacuum before returning it to you?
- Location: How near is the repair centre to you? Can you collect the vehicle easily? Will they deliver it to you?
- Recovery: Will the repair centre recover the vehicle from the accident scene?
- Repair process: Discuss the repair process with any centre you are interested in using. Will it ask for your permission before carrying out repairs?
- Reputation: Have you used this centre before? Has it been recommended by someone you trust?
- Specialist: If you drive a specialist vehicle does the repair centre have experience in dealing with similar models?
Your insurer may recommend a repair centre – you should not have any repair work carried out until your insurer has approved it or you may risk invalidating a car insurance claim.
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