What should you do in case of a car accident?

It’s said that your safety is in your hands. As a driver, if you follow all the rules and instructions on the road properly, the chances of an accident will be very less. ‘Alert today, alive tomorrow’ is what drivers should abide by.

You should keep in mind that if you have only a third party insurance policy, it doesn’t cover your own vehicle in case of an accident. It covers legal liability for the damage you may cause to a third party only — bodily injury, death, and damage to third party property while using your vehicle.

So, you should be very cautious while driving your vehicle. Unfortunately, if an accident happens you need to follow some important things:

Don't panic and keep calm

Don’t get panicked in this situation and don’t try to run away from the spot. You should inform the person whose car was hit or the injured person that you have third-party insurance and their damages will be covered. You should assure the other person that he/she doesn’t need to worry.

Inform the insurance company without delay

It is recommended to inform your insurance company about the accident within 48 hours to start the claim procedure. There is a toll-free number given by insurers to the consumers for claims. One should dial that number. If you don't inform the insurer, you may be asked a valid reason by the insurance company for the delay in informing them.

Take pictures of the accident spot

It is recommended to click pictures of the accident spot and keep them with you as it comes handy during the legal case and settling an insurance claim. Capture the scene as accurately as you can. Click the condition of the car and road from all sides. Capture the dents and scratches to document the damage.

Note down details of the third-party contact

You should always note down the details of the damaged vehicle. You should also note down the contact details of the person who was injured, or whose car got damaged. Always click a photo of the insurance policy of the third party as it may help during the claim. 

Always look for witnesses

You should always look for a witness in case of an accident. Keep their contact details with you. A credible and objective witness may be beneficial for your claim. Insurers value the perspective of unbiased witnesses and can settle for a fair amount of compensation.

Keep the documents handy

During the claim process, submitting original documents like the car's registration certificate, driving license of the person driving at the time of loss, claim form, etc are mandatory. Keep the e-mail/courier receipts of the documents submitted to the insurer for settling claim handy. This is helpful to track which documents you have submitted.