Paul Sanchez
Haven Insurance offers short-term and annual insurance policies and provides 24/7 accident claims and vehicle recovery services. Haven Claims Direct helps establish liability and provides regular updates on the progress of the claim. In the event of a car accident, it is important to report it to the police and your insurance company as soon as possible. Haven Insurance recommends reporting any incident to their claims team within 24 hours. They also advise taking pictures of the accident scene and gathering witness information. Obtaining a car accident report can be done through local law enforcement or by contacting the police department that responded to the accident.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Incident reporting timeline | Within 24 hours |
| Information required | Names, addresses, vehicle registrations, photos, witness names, contact numbers, CCTV and dashcam footage |
| Police involvement | Required if there are injuries, fatalities, or damages exceeding $1,000 |
| Police report availability | Typically within 10 days, but may take longer for complex cases |
| Accident Information Summary | Available within 30 days and includes preliminary data and involved drivers' information |
| Vehicle recovery | Covered if included in the policy or if the accident is someone else's fault |
| Claim process | Regular updates, expert guidance, support, and representation to pursue compensation |
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What You'll Learn
Reporting an accident to the police
When it comes to reporting an accident to the police, there are a few key things to keep in mind, especially in the context of Haven Insurance's accident report process. Here are the detailed steps and instructions:
When to Report:
- It is crucial to report any incident to the Haven Insurance claims team within 24 hours. Your specific policy may include additional requirements and timelines, so refer to your policy documents or contact their team for clarification.
- In the UK, you must report a collision to the police if you were unable to exchange details at the scene, if anyone was injured, or if you suspect a driving offence has been committed.
- If the accident is an emergency, where someone is in immediate danger, call 999. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use the textphone service 18000 or text 999 if you've pre-registered with the emergency SMS service.
How to Report:
- Many UK police forces accept online reporting for road traffic incidents. Find the relevant force and check if they offer an online service.
- If you are reporting the accident online, you may need to provide the address or location and pinpoint the exact place on a map where the incident occurred.
- If you are unable to report the incident online, you can call the non-emergency number 101 or use the non-emergency textphone service on 18001 101.
- When reporting the accident, provide as much information as possible. This includes the names and contact information of the involved drivers, witnesses' names, mobile numbers, and addresses, and photographs of the accident scene from multiple angles.
- If safe to do so, secure your vehicle and remove the car keys from the vehicle.
After Reporting:
- Your report will be assessed, and you will only be contacted if further information or action is required, such as providing a witness statement or attending court.
- Obtain a reference number from the police, which can be used as a reference for insurance purposes.
- Inform your insurance company as soon as possible and follow their advice.
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Filing an insurance claim
If you are involved in a car accident, it is important to remain calm and follow a few crucial steps to ensure your safety and compliance with the law. Here is a detailed guide on what to do and how to file an insurance claim:
Immediate Actions:
Firstly, it is imperative to prioritize your safety and that of others. Move to a safe location away from oncoming traffic. If there are injuries or a dangerous situation, notify the emergency services immediately. Call the police and remain at the scene. Exchange information with the other driver(s), including names, contact details, and insurance details. It is also essential to obtain witness statements and their contact information. Take photographs of the accident scene from multiple angles, capturing vehicle damage and the overall context. These photos will serve as valuable evidence when filing an insurance claim.
Reporting the Accident:
Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Haven Insurance, for example, requires policyholders to report incidents within 24 hours. Refer to your specific policy to understand its unique reporting requirements and timelines. Failure to report within the stipulated timeframe may result in additional excesses for late reporting. Contact your insurance company by phone or through their mobile app, if available, to register your claim.
Official Accident Report:
In many places, it is mandatory to file an official accident report with the local law enforcement agency within a specified timeframe, typically within five days of the accident. This report is crucial, especially if there are injuries, fatalities, or significant property damage exceeding a certain monetary threshold (e.g., $1,000 in Connecticut). The police will gather critical information, including witness statements and photographic evidence, to support your insurance claim.
Supporting Your Claim:
To strengthen your insurance claim, consider hiring an attorney or a personal injury lawyer. They can guide you through the process, communicate with the insurance company on your behalf, and ensure you receive fair compensation. Additionally, obtain a copy of the official accident report from the investigating officer or the relevant police department. If the police investigation is still ongoing, request an Accident Information Summary, which includes preliminary data and insurance company details of those involved.
Claim Approval and Compensation:
Once your insurance claim has been approved, your insurer will typically issue a check as financial compensation. You can choose how to utilize these funds, but they are intended to cover car repairs and other expenses related to the accident. If you require medical treatment, submit your receipts or bills to the insurer for reimbursement, or allow your healthcare provider to bill the insurer directly. Remember, if you weren't at fault in the accident, the at-fault driver's policy may cover certain expenses, such as a rental car during repairs.
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Gathering evidence
Exchange Information:
If it is safe to do so, exchange information with all drivers and vehicle owners involved in the accident. Get their contact and insurance information and provide them with yours.
Document the Scene:
Take pictures of the accident scene from multiple angles if possible. These photos can serve as important evidence when making a claim. Try to capture any relevant details that could help illustrate the context and impact of the accident.
Identify and Contact Witnesses:
Speak to people nearby who may have witnessed the accident. Get their names and contact information, and ask if they are willing to provide witness statements. Witnesses who have no personal connection to those involved in the accident are often considered more credible, so try to identify individuals who fall into this category.
Notify Emergency Services:
If there are any injuries, fatalities, or significant property damage, notify emergency services immediately. In some states, you may be legally required to report accidents that involve a certain amount of property damage, typically around $1,000 or less. The police will begin collecting critical information, taking photographs, and gathering witness statements to compile an official accident report.
Obtain Official Reports:
Request a copy of the police report from the investigating officer or the police department that responded to the accident. This report may take several days to process and receive, but it is an essential document for your insurance claim. If the police investigation is still pending, you can request an Accident Information Summary, which includes preliminary data and insurance company details.
Medical Records and Bills:
Collect your medical records and bills to serve as evidence of any injuries sustained in the accident. Your attorney can help you gather these documents and calculate the compensation you may claim. Ensure you seek medical attention even if you don't believe you are injured, as some injuries may not be immediately apparent.
It is important to act quickly and gather as much information as possible while at the scene of the accident. Additionally, consider consulting a lawyer who can help guide you through the claims process and ensure you have the best chance of receiving fair compensation.
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Witness statements
Obtaining Witness Information:
- At the Accident Scene: If possible, it is crucial to gather witness information immediately after the accident. Obtain names, contact details, and any initial statements or observations from witnesses present at the scene. This information will be useful when filing a report and supporting your insurance claim.
- Exchange Details: Ensure that you exchange relevant information with the involved drivers, including names, addresses, vehicle registrations, insurance details, and contact information. This exchange of details is essential, especially if witnesses need to provide statements at a later stage.
- Document the Scene: Take photographs, videos, or even write down notes about the accident scene. Capture vehicle positions, property damage, and any visible injuries. This visual evidence can support and enhance the credibility of witness statements.
Witness Statement Collection:
- Contact Witnesses: Reach out to the witnesses as soon as possible to obtain their formal statements. Witness statements should be detailed and include their account of the events leading up to, during, and after the accident. Ask open-ended questions to encourage a narrative-style statement.
- Statement Structure: Witness statements should typically include the witness's full name, contact information, and a detailed description of what they saw or heard regarding the accident. It is important to instruct witnesses to provide factual information and refrain from speculation or personal opinions.
- Multiple Witnesses: If there are multiple witnesses, collect statements from each individual separately to avoid influencing each other's accounts. This helps maintain the independence and integrity of the statements.
Utilising Witness Statements:
- Evidence for Insurance Claims: Witness statements serve as powerful evidence when making an insurance claim. They provide third-party perspectives that can support your version of events and help establish liability. Strong witness statements can significantly strengthen your claim and improve your chances of a favourable outcome.
- Collaborating with Experts: Consider consulting with specialists, such as accident reconstruction experts or legal professionals, to review witness statements. They can identify crucial details, analyse consistencies or discrepancies, and provide valuable insights to support your claim.
- Timely Submission: Provide witness statements to your insurance company, Haven Insurance, as soon as possible. Haven Insurance emphasises the importance of reporting accidents and providing relevant information promptly to ensure a swift and efficient claims process.
Remember, when dealing with accident reports and insurance claims, it is essential to act quickly, gather as much information as possible, and provide comprehensive witness statements to support your position. This will help protect your rights and facilitate a smoother claims process with Haven Insurance.
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Compensation and recovery
If you have been involved in a road traffic accident that was not your fault, you can call the Haven Insurance Accident Number to get support with your accident claim. Their fully trained claims staff will help you with your accident recovery, accident damage repair, and compensation for your injuries. You can also call the Accident Claims Helpline for a comprehensive accident claims management service. They can process your non-fault accident claim promptly and provide you with roadside recovery, accident damage repair, injury compensation, and a free courtesy car.
If you have fully comprehensive car insurance, the process will be more complex, as your provider won't be able to recover costs from the other side. Third-party or third-party fire and theft policyholders won't be able to make a claim but can apply for compensation through the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB).
If you are only insured third-party fire and theft, you are generally responsible for the recovery charges of your vehicle unless it is someone else's fault or stated differently in your policy. The police can arrange vehicle recovery through their contractors, but this is not cheap. It is advisable to arrange your own recovery if possible. All car accidents should be reported to your insurance company, regardless of how minor they are. Haven Insurance requires that you report any incident to their claims team within 24 hours.
A No Win, No Fee claim can provide financial security and confidence to pursue justice. Under this agreement, you won't be asked to pay any solicitor fees upfront or during the case. If the claim fails and you don't receive any compensation, you won't pay anything. If you win, you'll pay a percentage of the compensation as a solicitor's fee.
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Frequently asked questions
You should provide the date, time, details of any other vehicles, the insurance policy number of the other party, and a police report (if applicable). You should also gather the names, addresses, vehicle registrations, photos, eye witness names and contact numbers, CCTV and dashcam footage.
You should report the accident as soon as it is safe and practical to do so. Haven Insurance requires that all incidents are reported within 24 hours.
You can report an accident to Haven Insurance by calling 0333 006 4465.
