How to report a car accident to your insurer
Vaidas Labanauskas, 23 years in insurance · reviewed
Tell your own insurer promptly, even if you were not at fault and do not plan to claim. The deadline comes from national law and your policy, and it differs by country. Send your copy of the statement with photos and any police reference, and keep copies of everything. This is general information, not legal advice.
Steps
- Document the accident: Photos when it is safe, the other driver’s details, witnesses and the exact place and time.
- Complete the European Accident Statement: Together with the other driver if possible; each driver keeps a copy.
- Tell your insurer in time: Within the deadline for your country and policy (see the table below), even if you do not plan to claim.
- Send the evidence: Your copy of the statement, photos, the sketch, any police reference and repair estimates.
- Follow up: Answer the insurer’s questions promptly and keep copies of what you sent and when.
Notice deadlines: country examples
| Country | When to tell your insurer | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Without undue delay (“unverzüglich”); the law sets no number of days. The insurers’ model policy terms ask for notice within one week — your own policy decides. | § 30 VVG; GDV model terms (AKB 2015, E.1.1.1) |
| France | The deadline in your contract, which by law cannot be shorter than five working days (two for theft). | Code des assurances, L113-2; service-public.fr |
| Spain | Within seven days of learning about the accident, unless your policy allows longer. | Ley de Contrato de Seguro, art. 16 |
| Italy | Within three days of the accident, or of learning about it. | Codice civile, art. 1913 |
| Poland | Promptly (“niezwłocznie”); your policy terms may set a specific deadline. | Compulsory insurance act, art. 16; Kodeks cywilny, art. 818 |
| Lithuania | In writing within three working days: the driver responsible tells their own insurer, and the injured party tells the responsible driver’s insurer. The law lists exceptions. | Motor liability insurance act, arts. 12 and 15 |
| United Kingdom | Tell your insurer even if you do not plan to claim; your policy sets any time limit. | GOV.UK |
Check your policy as well: it can set its own deadline within the legal rules.
Whose insurer handles the claim
- Your own insurer: always tell it about the accident; it handles what your own policy covers.
- The other driver’s insurer: if the other driver is liable, you claim from their insurer. After an accident abroad you may be able to claim through that insurer’s representative in your own country: What to do after a car accident abroad in Europe.
- Direct settlement: in some countries you claim from your own insurer even when the other driver is liable. In Italy this applies to collisions in Italy between two identified vehicles insured there, not to foreign-registered vehicles.
What to attach
- Your copy of the statement, even if the other driver did not sign it
- Photos and the sketch
- The police report number, if the police attended
- Witnesses’ names and contact details
- Repair estimates and receipts for towing, rental or travel
Name any witnesses in your first report. In Italy, where only property is damaged, a witness first named later may not be allowed to give evidence (IVASS).
The full list for the scene: Documents and photos to collect after a car accident.
After you report
- The insurer handling a claim against the other driver must send a reasoned offer or a reasoned reply within three months of your claim. This applies to all motor liability claims in the EU; national law can set shorter periods.
- Answer the insurer’s questions promptly and keep copies of what you send, with dates.
- Keep receipts for costs caused by the accident; whether they are reimbursed depends on your policy and the claim.
FAQ
It depends on the country and your policy — for example seven days in Spain unless your policy allows longer, three days in Italy, and in France the deadline in your contract, which cannot be shorter than five working days. Check the table above and your policy.
Attach photos of the scene and damage, a clear sketch, the completed European Accident Statement, and the relevant documents (insurance policy, vehicle registration, driving licence). Add any witness contacts you have.
Insurers usually ask for the date, time and location of the accident, both drivers’ and vehicles’ details, the circumstances, the damage, and contact details for any witnesses. The European Accident Statement is designed to collect exactly that set of facts.
Your insurer registers the claim and may ask for more details or an inspection. If you claim against the other driver’s insurer, it must send a reasoned offer or a reasoned reply within three months.
Your insurer may accept a clear digital copy (PDF) of a signed report or ask for the original — check your policy or ask your insurer’s claims team if you are unsure. Keep your own copy until the claim is settled.
Sources
- Your Europe (European Union): Car insurance cover abroad: what to do after an accident
- EUR-Lex: Directive 2009/103/EC on motor insurance, consolidated text (Articles 19 and 22)
- Italy, Codice delle assicurazioni private: Article 149 (direct compensation)
- Italy, IVASS: Cosa fare in caso di sinistro
- GDV (German Insurance Association): Model motor insurance terms AKB 2015, section E.1.1.1