How to make a car insurance claim
Stressful circumstances usually go hand in hand with making a car insurance claim.
It’s one of life’s situations you don’t give much thought to until you’re in the thick of it: getting details from a stranger, following up with your insurance company, then proceeding with the actual claim.
By taking note of some important steps along the way, however, you can streamline the process of making an insurance claim – and hopefully remove some of the stress along the way.
This guide was compiled using NRMA Insurance as a major resource.
What do I need to do if I’ve been in a car accident?
First things first: if you are in a car crash of any kind, get yourself and your vehicle to safety as soon as practical.
This might mean getting off the road and ensuring the situation doesn’t pose any additional risks.
Once you’ve reached a safe spot, turn off your ignition to reduce the risk of fire, turn on your hazard lights, and if safe to do so, check whether there’s anything on the road that could be dangerous or cause another crash, such as debris or broken glass.
If there’s an injury or major hazard, call 000.
What driver details do I need to take down in a multi-car accident?
If the accident involves more than one party, exchange details with the other driver. This means taking and providing full name, address, phone number, licence number and insurer. If a person isn’t insured, your own insurer will still require their personal details to proceed with the claim.
While you’re at it, you will also want the make, model and insurer details of every vehicle involved in the accident. Furthermore, if anyone witnessed the accident, take down their full name and phone number as this may assist with the claims process.
If your vehicle isn’t safe to move, call a towing service to organise its next move. Should your vehicle require towing, be sure to grab your personal belongings from it before it is loaded onto the truck and driven away.
Don't forget to note the date, time and details of the accident, as this will also be required when you lodge your insurance claim. If it’s safe to do so, it’s worth taking some photos on your phone, as this could potentially be used to support your insurance claim down the track.
What happens if you cannot confirm someone’s details?
According to the NSW Government, if you’re involved in a crash you must give the other person or people involved your details.
If another person isn’t willing to provide details, it would be prudent to at least take down their number plate, together with any witness accounts and details, for later use.
If you’re involved in a crash that causes death or injury and you do not stop and help, you can get a fine and be sent to prison.
How do I lodge a car insurance claim?
Once you have ensured an accident scene is safe, and you have obtained relevant details of any other parties and/or witnesses, it is time to proceed with your insurance claim.
The first and easiest way to start your claim is by calling your insurance company or by submitting a claim online.
At this point it would be prudent to have the relevant details above on hand, plus your own insurance company numbers and details.
For NRMA Insurance customers, the claim process online is quite straightforward:
- Log into your online account.
- Select ‘Make a claim’.
- Enter your details and explain what happened.
- Upload any photos and supporting documents.
- Book an authorised NRMA Insurance repairer for your vehicle.
What happens after I log my insurance claim?
The good news is that lodging your insurance claim is generally the trickiest part. An insurance company will often handle the rest of the situation.
According to NRMA Insurnace, the next steps of the process are:
- The insurance company will review your claim and contact you if more information is needed.
- The insurance company will deal with the other parties involved, so you don’t have to.
- The insurance company will update you as your claim progresses.
- If you’ve forgotten something, you can log in to your insurance company account, or call, to add more information or upload photos to support your claim.
