Filing A Claim After An Car Accident
Know how you can protect yourself and get your car insurance benefits after an accident in Thailand.
Filing a Claim After an Accident
If your car is in an accident, you may want to make a claim on your car insurance to get the insurance benefit. If they find the claim to be genuine, the damages caused to you and your vehicle will be compensated.
Here’s how you can file for a car insurance claim after an accident:
Key Points
- You can file a claim at the insurance provider whether you are the one at fault or not.
- Regardless of who is at fault, you must inform your insurance provider immediately within 24 hours about what happened.
- Your insurer may request certain documents from you in order to verify and approve your claims, such as a copy of your insurance policy and a claim form.
Things You Should Do Immediately
If you are in an accident, here’s what you need to do immediately:
- Exchange names and other details with the other details. You should also get the details of any independent witnesses. If the other driver refuses to give you their details, write down their vehicle registration number as your insurer may be able to trace them through that information.
- Do not admit at the scene that it was your fault. Regardless of who is at fault, you must inform your insurance provider immediately within 24 hours about what happened. Even if you aren’t planning to make a claim, you should still do this.
- Take photographs as you may be able to use them as evidence if you need to make a claim.
- Show your insurance certificate or cover note to the police if someone is injured. You can usually take the documents to the police station within 7 days.
Documents Required to Make a Claim
Your insurer may request certain documents from you in order to verify and approve your claim, you must submit all necessary documentation for the claim as well as complete the claim form. The following is a list of documents that you must send when filing a car insurance claim:
- Copy of your insurance policy
- Accident/police report filed with the police
- Duly filled up and signed Claim Form
- Copy of the registration certificate of your car
- Copy of your driving license
- A detailed estimate of the repairs
- Medical receipts in case of physical injuries
- Original records of other expenses incurred.
Knowing what you can and cannot do after an accident will make the claim process smoother and easier.
If You Have Comprehensive Insurance
If you have a comprehensive car insurance policy, you should claim from your own insurer. Keep in mind, however, that you may lose your no claims discount if the insurer cannot recover money from the other driver’s insurer.
In certain cases, you may be able to claim from the other driver’s insurer for any losses or injuries not covered by your own car insurance policy. This is called uninsured losses. It usually covers alternative transport when you wait for your vehicle to be repaired.
In order to make a claim, you have to get a claim form, from your insurer or write to the other drivers’ insurer. Make sure to write details of the accident, as well as the information of the other driver. If there are any independent witness, don’t forget to tell your insurer about them.
Knowing what to do after an accident will help you get the right benefits under your car insurance policy.
If You Have Third Party Insurance
If you have a third party insurance policy, you need to make a claim against the other driver. Your insurer will then decide who is responsible for the accident. If they say that you’re the one at fault, then you will have to pay for the repairs to your own vehicle.
You can also file a claim with the insurance company of the other driver. To do so, send them a letter stating what you want to claim from them. If the other driver was operating a company vehicle, notify the company first, and then notify your insurer.
Things To Do Under Different Circumstances
An accident can happen due to many different things, in numerous different ways. Here’s what you can do in different circumstances:
If someone file claims against you
Inform your insurer as soon as possible after exchanging information with the other driver. The insurance will determine who was at fault, and the claim will be resolved.
If the insurer agrees that the accident was your fault, the claim will be settled. The insurer will evaluate the incident using facts such as CCTV, witness statements, and areas of damage on the vehicles. If you can’t make a decision or you’re both at fault, the insurers will usually divide the claim between you.
If your car has been written off
When your car depreciates in value, this is normally less than you paid for it initially, and it isn’t always enough to purchase a comparable substitute. Your insurer will pay you the market value of your vehicle at the time of the crash if it has been written off.
If your car is stolen
Immediately report your car as stolen to the police. You’ll be given a crime reference number, which you’ll use to file a claim. Your insurer should be able to resolve your claim quickly if your vehicle is found to be in small damage only. It can take longer if the damage is extreme. Don’t wait too long; the insurer has 3 months to make you a fair offer.
If your car is damaged by an uninsured driver
Some insurance companies will waive your claim excess, and others will protect your no-claims bonus, but your premiums will almost certainly rise. If you are damaged by an uninsured driver and have full coverage car insurance, you will be able to make a claim.