Insurance warning for motorists who have been in a car accident in South Africa

South African motorists have been warned not to drag their feet after a car crash or other insured event, as missing crucial deadlines may lead to rejected insurance claims.

This is according to insurance comparison company Hippo, which explained that after something happens, two clocks start running.

The first of these clocks is contacting the police and filing an accident report, which may require you to visit a police station.

“For a car accident, theft, or any incident involving a crime, you typically need to report it to the South African Police Service within 24 hours, or on the first working day if no one was hurt,” Hippo explained.

“You’ll need the case number, your policy number and other insurance information when you submit your claim.”

It added that if you are involved in a car accident, the first thing to do is contact emergency services if anyone is hurt, and then exchange information and record the contact details of all parties involved.

“Where possible, note the number plate and details of the vehicles involved, take photographs of the accident scene, and collect contact details for any witnesses,” the company noted.

“Even if you feel shaken, make a note of the date, road signs, weather, other driver’s details and any available witness statements.”

The second clock that starts to run immediately after an insured event is the claim itself, since most insurers give clients a set window to lodge a claim.

According to Hippo, this is often around 30 days, but this can vary by policy, as some insurers are stricter, while others are more lenient. The only way to know is to check your policy schedule.

Because of these deadlines, the safest move is to report as soon as you reasonably can, because being busy is not a defence insurers will accept.

A useful way to think about it is the sooner you report, the fresher the evidence, the cleaner the paperwork, and the fewer openings there are for a claim to be questioned.

What needs to be in place before making a claim

Hippo explains that the claims process goes more smoothly when a claimant can produce evidence and required documents quickly.

“The time to gather this is before anything goes wrong, not while you’re standing in the rain next to a dented bumper,” it added.

The insurance comparison company suggests keeping the following documentation somewhere accessible, as well as backed up digitally:

• Your insurance policy, policy schedule and policy number. The one that lists what’s covered, your excess, and your obligations.
• Your ID, ID number and proof of residence. Standard for verifying who you are.
• Proof of ownership for insured items. Receipts, invoices, or valuation certificates for anything valuable, especially jewellery, electronics, and “all-risk” items you carry around. No proof of ownership is one of the most common reasons a contents claim stalls.
• Photographs. Of high-value possessions while they’re intact, and of any damage when it happens. Date-stamped where possible.
• A police case number and accident report, where the incident involves a car accident, theft or criminal act (this applies to criminal acts involving Home and Business Insurance claims too).
• Records of communication with your insurer, insurance agent or insurance company, including names, dates, reference numbers and contact details. If a dispute ever arises, this is gold.

“Keep this information ready before you need to complete a claim form or respond to a request from your insurer,” advised Hippo.

“For cars specifically, keep your driver’s licence, vehicle registration, insurance information and a record of the accident details, including the other party’s information, photos of the scene, and any witness contacts.”