Car insurance
Report accident damage: this is how damage reporting works after a car accident
Did someone crash into the back of your car? Or did a mishap happen to you yourself? Comparis explains how to log the accident and report damage to the insurance company.
23.05.2025
iStock/simonkr
1. Who must report the damage to the insurance company?
Are multiple people involved in an accident involving property damage? Normally, the person responsible for the accident must report the damage to his or her liability insurance company.
If they do not do so, injured persons can contact the insurance company of the person who caused the accident themselves and claim compensation.
Claims settlement via fully comprehensive insurance
Do you have fully comprehensive insurance? You can also process third-party damage claims through fully comprehensive car insurance. This first pays for the damage and, depending on the course of the accident, claims the corresponding amount from the other party's liability insurance.
Good to know: it's worth comparing premiums
Would you like to compare coverage and costs of car liability or fully comprehensive car insurance? With Comparis, you can compare the premiums and benefits offered by different providers.
2. When do I have to report the accident to the insurance company?
According to the Insurance Policies Act, you must report the damage to the insurance company immediately. Otherwise, there may be reductions in coverage. You can find all the general insurance conditions.
In addition, the sooner the insurance company learns of the damage, the faster it can be rectified.
3. Do I have to report the accident to the police?
If there has been an accident without any injuries and the question of responsibility is resolved, then it is not strictly necessary.
However, if one of the people involved demands the involvement of the police, the other parties involved must accept this. They may then only leave the scene of the accident if the police permit it.
In the following cases, a police report is required:
For personal injuries (excluding minor abrasions and bruises)
In the event of property damage, if it is not possible for the person who caused the accident to immediately provide the injured person with their own contact details
If road safety is compromised as a result of the accident
Securing the accident site
Depending on the extent of the accident, you must secure the accident site. This includes: switching on your hazard lights and deploying the breakdown triangle.
In urban areas, the required distance between the accident site and the emergency triangle is 50 metres, in out-of-town areas 100 metres. Warning: never put yourself in danger.
4. What do I need to report a claim?
Insurance companies generally need the following information to report a claim:
European Accident Statement with signature of the parties involved
Personal data of the parties involved (name, address)
Insurance details of the parties involved
Place, date and time
All of the registration plate numbers of the vehicles involved
Description of how the accident happened
Description of damages including images
More information
Name any witnesses who observed the accident. Also, inform the insurance company whether the damage was recorded by the police.
5. What is the European Accident Statement?
The accident statement serves as a report for insurance companies. In the statement, the people involved describe the circumstances of the accident and the resulting property damage.
Where can I order the European Accident Statement?
You can order the European Accident Statement from your insurance company. This statement form is used throughout Europe. Have at least one copy in the vehicle.
How do I fill out the accident statement?
Take enough time to clarify the circumstances of the accident. Then fill out the form with the other parties involved, point by point.
Tick the appropriate fields in Section 12. In Section 13, you can outline the how the accident happened together with the other parties involved. If you and the other party agree with the information, both must sign the form.
Improve the body of evidence by providing photos
With photos of the damage and the scene of the accident you provide more evidence for your case. However, never put yourself in danger to take photos. In case of doubt, you can involve the police at any time.
6. Claim form: where do I have to report the damage?
Most insurance companies offer a convenient online solution and a 24-hour claims hotline. See below for the contact options for reporting a claim to your insurance company:
7. What happens after the claim has been reported?
Once you have completed the report, you will be issued a claim number. After you have reported the damage, the insurance company will take care of the next steps. A claims expert from the insurance company will usually contact the garage that is repairing the damage. Depending on the damage, an on-site appraisal of the collision damage may be required.
How long does the processing of the claim report take?
Not all claims are the same. If the facts are clear, you can expect the processing to be carried out more quickly. In the case of complicated claims, the processing usually takes longer.
Once all the information needed to clarify the facts of the case is available, the insurance company has by law four weeks to complete the claim.
After the claim has been processed, the insurance company will inform the parties involved of the result and, depending on the circumstances cover the repair costs. Depending on the terms and conditions of the contract, the insured person may have to coinsurance.
Right of termination on both sides
Has your insurance company confirmed its commitment to provide cover for you? If so, you can cancel your insurance policy within 14 days of being notified of the pay-out. Be aware, however, that the insurance company has the same option and can cancel your contract within two weeks.
This article was first published on 15.07.2019
