Car accidents can be a traumatic experience for anyone. Right after a car crash, you might feel shocked and find it difficult to think clearly. Besides the damage to the car and the potential injuries, there comes a question of who pays for what.
It is better to know what you can do after a car accident to make things easier for everybody who is affected by the crash. Let us explore how car insurance works and what you need to do to file a claim:
Understanding Car Insurance
In India, it is mandatory for car owners to have at least a third-party car insurance policy. Therefore, It is wise to compare car insurance policies online or with an agent to understand the type of coverage they offer.
You can apply for four wheeler insurance online, compare features and then purchase the insurance from any IRDAI-approved insurance provider of your choice.
What Should You Do After A Car Accident?
Do not Drive Away Immediately After an Accident
If you meet with an accident, do not drive away after the collision. Stop your car, switch on the hazard light and turn off the engine. Check if all the passengers are alright or if they need any medical attention.
Once you are sure that no one is injured, you must check both cars to find out the level of damage. Once you find out the liability for damages, you can start with the claim for your car insurance policy.
Assess the Damage
Before you file a claim for your car accident insurance, check out the damages on both vehicles. If there are small scratches, it might be cheaper to fix them without claiming the insurance.
But for bigger dents or wrecked cars, you will need to claim the insurance. Speak to the other driver so that you can decide who will inform their insurance company to report the accident.
Gather Information
To successfully claim your car accident insurance, you will need information about the other car as well. Collect the other party’s car registration number, their name, contact number, address and their insurance information.
Mention information like make, model and colour of the car along with the number plates of the cars involved. You will also need to mention the road conditions, weather, etc. Take pictures of the damaged cars along with the road conditions.
Take Action
If the other driver does not cooperate after the crash, you may escalate this matter and call the police. If they leave the accident spot without sharing their details, if they are drunk, or if they do not have insurance, you must immediately inform the police.
Understand Who is Responsible for The Accident
Accidents can happen for many reasons, like if one of the drivers is speeding up, or not checking blind spots. Sometimes, it is hard to know who is responsible for the accident.
However, you must know who or what caused the accident so that you get to know who would pay for the damages.
Let us look at the different scenarios after the car insurance:
- If You Are at Fault: If you are responsible for the car accident and have third-party liability insurance, your insurance company will bear the cost of damages to the other car. If you have own damage car insurance, it will also cover the repair cost of your car. The claim amount will be based on your policy limits.
- If Another Driver Is at Fault: If another driver causes the accident, you must inform your insurance company. Provide them with all the details to prove that it was not your fault. If both insurance companies agree, the other driver’s insurance will pay for the repair cost of your car.
- If No One Is at Fault: Sometimes accidents happen without the fault of any driver. It can be instances like a sudden illness. However, if the other driver does not have any history of medical issues, their insurance may not pay for your claim.
Also, if you have only third-party insurance, your policy will also not cover the damages. You either need comprehensive car insurance or standalone own damage insurance to get coverage.
- If Both Drivers Are at Fault: if both drivers are at fault, the cost of damages is shared by the insurance of both cars. Here, you may not find out which driver is more at fault for causing the accident. In this case, the insurance companies decide the allocation of compensation.
- If The Damages Are Due to Poor Weather Conditions: If the car damages happen due to weather conditions, then it is covered by the insurance by considering it as unavoidable circumstances.
- If The Car Was Damaged While Parked: If your car is damaged while it is parked and you do not have any details of the driver who caused it, then your claim depends on the insurance. If you have comprehensive car insurance, you will get coverage in this scenario.
File the Insurance Claim
Once you have all the information, report the accident to the police and the insurance provider. File a claim for the cost of repairs. The insurance company will investigate the accident to determine fault and then they will pay for the damages to the car/cars.
Remember: Don’t wait until an accident happens to understand car insurance. Talk to your agent, or research your online car insurance policy options and buy online car insurance from reputed providers like Tata AIG.
Conclusion
If you decide to claim your car insurance, you should do it fast. Most insurance companies accept claims made within 7 days of the accident. You need to have all the documents ready while filing a claim.
These documents are a copy of your licence, car registration number, insurance policy number, etc. If anyone was hurt in the accident, you need to submit a copy of the FIR made to the Road Transport Office as well.