Things I wish I'd known before I had an accident
All of our content is approved by our in-house experts
Do you know what to do if you're in an accident? Our guide may help...
- Why you should try and get as many photos as you can
- The critical piece of information you must provide your insurer
- What details you need to write down after an accident
- How to spot potential crash for cash scams
Being in a car accident, no matter how minor, is an awful experience. In the aftermath, it can be easy to forget to take down key details that will ensure your car insurance has you covered.
But what’s next? Here’s our claim team’s list of things people wish they knew before they had a crash. Been in a car accident and need some tips? Watch our handy video.
1. You may need to call the police
If any people or animals have been injured in the accident, call 999 as soon as possible. If you don't need an emergency response, then call the police on 101 instead.
The police should also be called if:
- The accident is blocking the road
- You suspect you’re a victim of a ‘crash for cash’ scam, where a driver deliberately causes an accident to make a fraudulent insurance claim. A dash cam can help in this situation.
2. Whatever you do, get the other car’s registration number
Without it, you’ll only be able to make a non-recoverable claim (where claim costs can’t be recovered from the other party’s insurer).
“We understand it’s an upsetting experience, and often everything goes out the window due to shock,” says a spokesperson for the LV= claims team.
“But it’s important you remember to get the registration number in order for us to progress your claim.”
3. Take photos, then exchange key details with the third party
Once you’ve taken as many photos as possible and noted the registration number, try and get as many of the other person’s details as you can.
Ideally, you’ll be able to get the other person’s:
- Full name
- Registration
- Phone number
- Address
- The name of their insurance company – though don’t worry too much if you can’t get this, as the details will be available through the registration number
If you can, try and get the make, model and colour of their vehicle, too, as well as a brief description of any passengers. If the accident involves a commercial vehicle with clear signwriting, the company name can also be helpful to your insurer.
Whatever you do, get the other car's registration
4. Ask any witnesses for their information
If anyone else saw the incident, it’s worth asking them if they’re happy to act as a witness. This doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll need to stand up in court and testify, just that they’re happy to provide a statement to your insurer as further evidence. Can they validate what you’re saying and what you’ve written down? Make sure you get their name and phone number. If you can, get their address too.
5. Remember, apologising won't invalidate your claim
Some media reports suggest apologising after an accident can make you liable for invalidate your claim. This is highly unlikely, according to our claims team.
"Sometimes third parties say they're 'sorry' after an incident, and then later, when they go to their insurer, change their mind and deny all knowledge of this," says a spokesperson for the LV= claims team.
"However, just because a third party has said sorry doesn’t mean they’re negligent, it’s often just an automatic reaction after an accident."
The type of incident mentioned in the article wouldn't invalidate a claim.
"The onus would also be on the non-fault party to prove negligence, and an apology isn't proof."
6. Contact your insurance company as soon as possible
Make sure you tell your insurer about the car accident as soon as you can. You should always inform your car insurance company about an accident, even if you don't want to make a claim.
What should I do if I suspect a crash for cash scam?
A crash for cash scam is when someone tries to make out you’ve caused an accident when actually they’ve targeted you to try and make you crash into them on purpose or staged a crash themselves so they can make a false insurance claim.
The most important thing to remember is to try and stay calm and don’t let on to the scammers that you suspect foul play. Collect all the information and evidence mentioned above as if it were a normal, authentic mishap.
Then, only after the event, when you’re safe and it won’t raise suspicion, let your insurer know what’s happened and alert the Insurance Fraud Bureau’s CheatLine.
How do I spot a crash for cash scam?
This type of insurance fraud often involves motorbikes or scooters trying to get hit on purpose, for example they may spot you parking and wait until just as you open your door to ride past so it looks like your fault.
Remember to ask yourself, does something seem off? Did they just happen to have all their details ready to hand over to you, like they knew exactly what to expect? Do they appear unexpectedly confident or relaxed? Most people will be visibly upset after even just a minor scrape. On the other hand, some scammers will act like the whole thing was way worse than what actually happened and may even feign injury.
Does a dash cam help if someone tries a crash for cash on me?
Dash cams may capture evidence that can help prove your word against theirs and offer an unbiased view of what happened. They’re also helpful in recording things like number plates and whether someone else was there.
Apart from fabricating a crash in the first place, many fraudsters try to exaggerate claims so they can get more money, sometimes claiming for accidents that never even happened or claiming for people that weren’t involved. That’s why it’s important to make note of as much detail as possible, including if there were any passengers.