So, you’re on your way to the shops, running a mental list of all the things you need to get, when OOPS! Your car taps the back of the car in front of you. You see, you’d observed the traffic light change to green and expected the car ahead of you to go, but they weren’t paying attention… And neither were you, so when you vroomed forwards, you made the front of your car make friends with the back of theirs.
Now what?
There’s a lot of info about what to do if you’re involved in an accident, and usually it’s info and tips aimed at if someone else bumped into you. But do you know what to do if you’re the 1 who did the bumping?
It’s actually important to know what to do and what NOT to do, so that we (as your humble car insurers) can take the reins and sort this incident out on your behalf.
So, here it is… How you should handle an incident where you’re the party responsible.
- Mind your words
First things first, mind what you say in front of potential witnesses and the other party involved. It’s our job to take allll the info you provide to us, as well as what the other party (or their insurer) hands over and make a decision about who was at fault.
It can only hinder the decision-making process if you start spouting off about what you think happened. It’s especially important that you don’t admit any guilt. Now, we don’t want you to lie. Perish the thought. And you should absolutely check that the other party is alright, but it’s important that you don’t talk about what you did wrong and how it is all your fault.
- Is everyone okay
It’s easy to immediately panic and get overwhelmed by what’s just happened. Take a deep breath and check yourself. If you’re okay, then you can check on the other driver. If anything is wrong, then call emergency services. You can even call us, because we have medical and roadside assistance who can be dispatched to your side ASAP.
- Channel your inner detective
It’s time to channel your inner detective and get as much info from the other driver as you can. You’ll need their full name, ID number, contact number, their vehicle reg number, and the make and model of their car. You should also snap a few pictures or videos of the scene and damage. These details are all needed to process your claim as royally fast as possible.
- Report the incident to the police
You might be a bit worried to go to the police when the incident is your fault, but this is actually a legal requirement. You need to report the accident to the police within 24 hours, and not just for the sake of the law; it’s also a vital step in the claims process, even if you’re planning to settle privately. Head to your local police station, report the incident, and get a case number.
Also, because it’s easy to lose this kind of info, we think it would be a good idea to snap a picture of the completed report for your records.
- Contact us
Armed with all the info that your insurer will need, it’s time to put in a call to the king. Let us know about the accident and the involvement of the third party. Even if you don’t intend to claim for your own damages, we need to be in the loop because the other driver might contact us directly.
Oh, and this is a judgment-free zone. We won’t treat you with any less compassion and respect in these really trying circumstances.
Once you’ve alerted us, we’ll take over. We’ll review all the details from both you and the third party to decide if the damages are covered. If they are, we’ll handle the claim process with the third party. You won’t need to deal with the third party directly, because that’s the beauty of having insurance. Of course, if we come to the conclusion that you weren’t at fault, we’ll manage the dispute with the other party or their insurer.
Remember, we’re here to support you.
- Wait for the third party to contact you (or us)
You might be tempted, but don’t rush to contact the third party. They’ll reach out to you, or they’ll contact us. If they’re insured, then their insurer will make contact with us.
Wondering what to do if the third party contacts you directly? It’s simple. Direct them to us. After all, it’s what we’re there for and we’ll handle it for you.
The king’s got your back
So, there you have it. A step-by-step guide of what to do if you’ve been involved in a car accident and you’re the party responsible.
We should add, when you’ve got the king’s comprehensive insurance, you’ll be covered for the damage to your car and third party claims. However, if you have our third party only policy, you’ll only be covered for the damage to others’ property.
Either way, remember that with King Price, you’re not just getting insurance. You’re getting peace of mind, premiums you can afford, and the best service to help you through this challenging situation.
Not part of the royal fam yet?
Click here or WhatsApp us on 0860 50 50 50 for a commitment-free car insurance quote.
