What to do after a car accident — a step-by-step guide

An accident is stressful and it is easy to lose track. This guide sets out the order clearly: what to do straight away, when to call the police, how to report the claim and what your rights are.

Updated: June 2026 · Informational guide

1. Straight after the accident — safety first

• Stop the vehicle, put your hazard lights on and put on a high-visibility vest.
• Place the warning triangle far enough behind the vehicle.
• If anyone is injured, call 112 immediately and do not move the injured unless they are in danger.
• If it is possible and there are no injuries and no dispute, move the vehicles off the carriageway so you do not obstruct traffic — but photograph the scene as it is first.

2. Police, or a European accident statement?

Not every accident needs the police. You must call the police if:

• anyone is injured or killed,
• the damage is severe, or public or third-party property has been damaged,
• there is a dispute over fault or the other party will not co-operate,
• someone has left the scene,
• you suspect the other party is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

If it is minor damage to property and both parties agree on what happened, filling in the European accident statement is enough and there is no need to call the police.

3. How to fill in the European accident statement

• One form is filled in for both parties; each keeps their own copy.
• Enter the details of the drivers, the vehicles, the insurance policies and exactly what happened.
• Draw a sketch of the position of the vehicles and mark the direction of travel.
• Both parties sign the form. A signature is not an admission of fault — it confirms the description of events.
• Do not admit fault verbally and do not agree to settle in cash — fault is determined by the insurer.

4. Photographs and evidence

Good photographs settle disputes later. Photograph:

• a wide shot of the whole scene and the position of the vehicles before they are moved,
• the damage close up (on both vehicles),
• registration plates, road signs and road markings,
• the other party's details (registration document, policy) and, if there are any, the contact details of witnesses.

5. Reporting the claim to the insurer

Report the claim without delay (usually within a few days). Who you report it to depends on fault:

• You are not at fault → the claim goes to the other driver's third-party liability cover.
• You are at fault, or the culprit is unknown (vandalism, a stone chip) → use your comprehensive cover, if you have it.

To report a claim you normally need the accident statement or the police report, photographs, and your vehicle and policy details. Claimo helps you not to forget anything and keeps it all in one place.

6. Assessment and repair

The insurer sends an assessor who photographs the damage (at the scene or at the garage). After the assessment, the repair is approved at an authorised garage. Sometimes further damage is found during strip-down and a second inspection is requested — this is normal and extends the timeline.

7. How long does the police report take?

If the police attended, the report usually takes 15–30 days. It is often decisive for the payout, so forward it to the insurer as soon as you have it.

8. Your rights: a replacement vehicle and compensation

• A replacement vehicle is covered by the other driver's insurer, but as a rule for up to 6 days and only while the car is being repaired.
• A longer hire beyond that is usually paid by you first, and then claimed back through a private lawsuit.
• Diminished value (the car is worth less after the repair) is not paid out automatically — it is obtained through a lawsuit against the other driver's insurer.

9. Total loss and GAP insurance

When the cost of repair exceeds the value of the vehicle, it is a total loss. The insurer then pays out the market value of the vehicle (less the salvage). On a lease, the payout first settles the outstanding debt, and the difference up to the purchase value is covered by GAP insurance if you have it.

10. Vehicle theft

Report a theft to the police and your comprehensive insurer immediately, and hand over all keys and the registration document. A waiting period (~30 days) follows before payout; the payout is based on market value, and on a lease GAP covers the difference.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to call the police for every accident?

No. For minor damage with no injuries and no dispute, the European accident statement is enough. Call the police if there are injuries, severe damage, a dispute over fault, or someone leaves the scene.

How long do I have to report the claim to the insurer?

Report it without delay, as a rule within a few days of the accident. The sooner you report it, the sooner processing starts.

Does the insurer pay for a replacement vehicle?

Yes, the other driver's insurer covers a replacement vehicle, but usually for up to 6 days and only while the vehicle is being repaired. A longer hire is claimed back through a lawsuit.

What is GAP insurance?

GAP covers the difference between the insurer's payout (market value) and the outstanding debt or purchase value of the vehicle. It is most useful in a total loss or theft, especially on a lease.

How long does the police report take?

Usually 15–30 days. Forward it to the insurer as soon as you get it, as it is often required for the payout.

Note: this guide is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Procedures and deadlines can differ between insurers and circumstances — for your own case, speak to your insurer or a professional.