What to do after a car accident

Accidents happen. According to the ABS, almost two-thirds of adults with a licence have been involved in at least one vehicle accident – the majority of which are avoidable fender benders.

Thanks to Bingle, part of the Suncorp Network, here are five easy steps to follow if the worst does happen to you and what to do next to get back on the road sooner.

First things first, ensure that you, your passengers and anyone else involved in the accident are not injured. If anyone does require medical assistance, call the emergency services and provide care for them until paramedics arrive.

When it’s safe to do so, clear the roadway so normal traffic can resume.
Find a safe place on the side of the road to move your car, switch off the engine and activate the hazard lights.

Swap information with anyone involved in the accident, including names, address, and registration of the vehicles. Also, record the date, time and location of the accident and take photos of the site and any vehicle damage.

If a driver refuses to provide their details, simply take note of the vehicle registration and contact the police. Provide the police report number to your insurance provider, and they will take care of the rest.

If your vehicle can be driven, head home and contact your insurer with all the details to get the claims process underway to begin arrangements for vehicle repairs. If it is too damaged to drive, call the insurance company to arrange for a tow truck.

With Bingle, you can lodge a claim online at any time of the day with just a few simple steps. If you hold a third-party car insurance policy, the insurance company will only cover costs to repair damage to other vehicles or property but not your own.

With a comprehensive policy, Bingle will arrange for your car to be repaired through its network of approved repair partners.

If the vehicle has been assessed as a write off, Bingle will finalise the claim by paying out the market value of the vehicle. Market value excludes costs of registration and compulsory third-party insurance, stamp duty and transfer fees, dealer warranty costs and dealer delivery.

If the vehicle is less than three years old and you’ve chosen the ‘New for Old’ optional extra on your policy, Bingle will replace the car with brand new one of the same make and model. New for Old is available for cars three years old and under from date of manufacture.

Sometimes this isn’t possible, so they will replace it with a similar make and model as outlined in the PDS.

So, there you go, five simple steps to help get you back on the road sooner if you’ve been involved in a car accident. To find out more information on car insurance, head to the Bingle Insurance website.