If you’re in an Car/bike accident

The first step to take after a car accident is to determine whether anyone in your vehicle has been injured. If another car was involved, check on the other driver and any passengers. Once you've confirmed that everyone is safe, move the impacted vehicles to the side of the road, if possible. Then you can alert the authorities, gather information, and start the claims process.

Step 1

Stop the car

When you are involved in a car accident, you must first stop at the scene as this is a legal obligation to follow. Even if the accident is a minor one, do not run away from the accident spot as doing so may lead to legal proceedings against you. Moreover, try to remain as calm as possible and avoid any irrational argument with the other driver.

Step 2

Look out for any injury

Step 3

Get medical help

In case of minor injuries, you can provide first aid to the injured as soon as possible. Your car comes with a basic first aid kit that you can use for minor injuries. If anyone is seriously injured or non-responsive, call up an ambulance immediately. Make sure to look after your body as well and seek medical advice if necessary.

Step 4

Intimate your insurance company

After you have taken care of the injured, it's time to intimate your insurance company about the accident. Immediately call the insurance company whose car insurance policy you have purchased and inform them about the accident so that a claim can be registered at the earliest. Give them detailed information about the own damages sustained by your car as well as third party damages if any. Make sure to give every single piece of information honestly as giving any wrong information may lead to claim rejection.

Step 5

File a police FIR

To avoid any legal complications, inform the police about the car accident as soon as possible. You will be also required to file a First Information Report (FIR) in case of a third party car insurance claim settlement process. Also, make sure to keep a copy of the Police FIR that you can submit to the insurance company during the car insurance claim process.

Step 6

Take pictures

Take photos of the damages caused at the place of the accident for the insurance company to get a clearer picture. Click pictures of the damages sustained by the insured car, third party property damages as well as the accident spot. Make sure that the photos are clear and have been taken from all angles so that the damages are clearly visible in the pictures. Doing so ensures that the claim is settled without much hassle.

Step 7

Submit documents

Once you have reported the incident, you will be required to submit a few documents to file a claim under your car accident policy. The documents that are required in case of a car accident are

A copy of the valid driving license
A copy of the Police FIR
Copy of car registration certificate (RC)
Copy of car insurance papers
Repair estimates

Step 8

Get your car repaired

Before proceeding with the actual repairs, the insurance company may send a surveyor who will estimate the extent of repairs required by the insured car. After this, you can get your car repaired in the authorized network garage of the insurance company. The towing facility for the damaged car will be provided by the insurance company itself. You can also get your car repaired at a non-authorized garage and raise a reimbursement claim with your insurer.

Step 9

Car/bike insurance claim settlement

Step 10

Be prepared for any adversity on road

A road accident can come unannounced and therefore, it is always better to be prepared for any adversity while driving. Make sure to follow all the traffic rules properly, adhere to the speed limit, and not drink & drive as most road accidents happen due to these reasons only. Moreover, keep copies of all the necessary documents like your motor insurance papers, driving license, registration certificate, etc. with you whenever you are driving on the road.