A clear plan for after a car accident
Nobody plans for a car accident to happen. Knowing what steps to take afterwards can make a difference. Being clear on who to call, what to record and where to find support can make the whole experience easier to follow. No two accidents are exactly alike, but a clear plan can help drivers stay focused and organised.
How do you deal with a car accident and insurance?
Dealing with a car accident and insurance comes down to six steps:
- Check that everyone is safe, and move the vehicle out of the flow of traffic if it is safe to do so.
- Contact emergency services if medical assistance is needed.
- Avoid admitting fault or offering to pay privately at the scene.
- Arrange roadside assistance or towing.
- Gather photographs, details of other parties involved, details of witnesses and other information from the scene.
- Report the incident to the insurer, who can guide the next steps.
Each step is explained below.
Emergency help and safety at the scene
Everyone’s wellbeing is the priority. If it is safe to do so, move the vehicle out of the flow of traffic and switch on the hazard lights. Check whether anyone is injured, and contact emergency services if medical assistance is needed.
These emergency numbers can help:
- 112: the general emergency number from any mobile phone, which routes to police, fire or ambulance.
- 10111: the South African Police Service (SAPS), for crime or urgent police assistance.
- 10177: ambulance and fire services (public EMS).
Once everyone is safe, and any urgent police assistance required has been arranged through SAPS, attention can turn to the next steps. Questions about police reporting requirements are best taken up directly with SAPS.
Insurance claims and liability after an accident
Even after a minor accident, people can feel unsettled. Where there is doubt about how to respond, it is sensible to avoid admitting fault or offering to pay privately at the scene. Details of what happened may not be fully known at that stage, and responsibility is better settled through the proper assessment and claims processes, which begin once the incident is reported to the insurer.
The same applies when the other driver appears to be responsible. Who is at fault is still determined through those processes rather than at the roadside. Questions about Road Accident Fund claims are best taken up directly with the Road Accident Fund.
What you should know before arranging towing
Arranging assistance is one of the first things many drivers need to do after an accident. It is not always clear who to call, or which towing providers the insurer has approved, so it helps to check this before a tow is arranged.
OUTsurance clients can access Help@OUT through the OUTsurance App, or call OUTsurance’s trained agents on 08600 80 000.
It provides 24/7 roadside assistance and towing support when needed, which removes some of the uncertainty and leaves more room to focus on what happens next. Questions about repairs, or about the towing and repair protections that apply to a particular policy, are best taken up directly with the insurer.
What accident evidence should you collect at the scene?
Once immediate safety concerns have been dealt with and help is on the way, it is time to gather information and share details with the other drivers and the authorities. What is collected at the scene can help support a claim, and it can be captured in photographs or in writing.
Consider photographing:
- The damage to all vehicles involved
- The position of the vehicles
- Number plates
- Road conditions
- Traffic signs and road markings
- The surrounding area
- Any debris or skid marks that may be relevant
What if the other driver is uninsured or leaves the scene?
Standard accident checklists often picture a simple scene in which both drivers wait and share their details freely. Real situations can be less tidy. The other driver may not have insurance, may refuse to give any information, or may drive off before details are swapped, and there may be nobody who witnessed what happened.
When a scene is unclear, a fuller record is especially valuable. Photographs of the damage, a description of the vehicle, dashcam footage and careful notes can each help back up the driver’s account of what happened.
Even when some details are missing, the incident should still be reported, along with whatever has been gathered. The insurer can then explain what happens next and whether anything further is needed.
Knowing what support is available after an accident can be part of choosing car insurance. For an OUTsurance quote, complete the below form.
How do you notify your insurer and submit a claim?
Clients of OUTsurance can submit a claim on the OUTsurance App, or contact OUTsurance directly to speak to a consultant. The consultant should be told about any photographs of the damage or other information available, and will guide the client on how to share it. Reporting the claim also helps the process begin without unnecessary delays.
Emergency contacts, policy information and claims details are often not to hand when they are needed, and tracking them down after an accident can be harder than usual. Knowing in advance where they are stored can save time and make things easier. The OUTsurance App brings important services together in one place, including a way to start a claim quickly and conveniently.
More detail on the process is available in OUTsurance’s article, Car Insurance Claims in South Africa Explained.
What you get OUT of having the right support
Nobody has to face the aftermath of an accident without support. Understanding who to contact and where assistance can be found helps the experience feel more manageable. Through Help@OUT in the OUTsurance App, clients can reach roadside assistance and towing support around the clock, along with a straightforward route to other important services.
Because when the unexpected happens, what you get OUT is more than insurance. It is support, guidance and peace of mind, starting from the outset of the journey after an accident.
OUTsurance is a licensed insurer and FSP. Ts and Cs online. Limits apply
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