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.

Roman Heiz Foto
Roman Heiz

06.12.2023

A woman and a man fill out a damage report on the hood of a car.

iStock/simonkr

1.Who must report the damage to the insurance company?
2.When do I have to report the accident to the insurance company?
3.Do I have to report the accident to the police?
4.What do I need to report a claim?
5.What is the European Accident Protocol?
6.Claim form: where do I have to report the damage?
7.What happens after the claim has been reported?

1. Who must report the damage to the insurance company?

Are several 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 he does 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 a fully comprehensive insurance? You can also process third-party damage claims through fully comprehensive car insurance. The latter first pays for the damage and, depending on the course of the accident, claims the corresponding amount from the other party's liability insurance.

Would you like to compare coverage and costs of car liability or car casco insurance? Comparis compares premiums and coverage for you and provides you with an independent basis for decision-making.

Calculate premiums

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 details on how to report a claim in the insurance's general insurance conditions.

In addition, the sooner the insurance company learns of the damage, the faster it can be fixed.

3. Do I have to report the accident to the police?

If there has been an accident without injuries and the question of responsibility is resolved then it is not strictly necessary to report the accident to the police. However, if one person 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, for example: switch on hazard lights and set up a breakdown triangle. In urban areas, the required distance between the accident site and the emergency triangle is 50 metres, in extra-urban 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 Protocol with signature of the parties involved

  • personal data of the parties involved (name, address)

  • Insurance details of those involved

  • Place, date and time

  • All registration plate numbers of the vehicles involved

  • Description of the accident as it occurred

  • 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 Protocol?

The accident protocol serves as a report for insurance companies. In it, the people involved in the accident describe the circumstances of the accident and the resulting property damage.

Where can I order the European Accident Report?

You can order the European Accident Report from your insurance company — or download it here. This statement form is used throughout Europe. Carry at least one double copy in the vehicle.

How do I fill out the accident report?

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 foritem 12. For item 13, you can outline the course of the accident together with the other parties involved. If you and the other party agree with the information, both must sign the form.

More evidence to back up your case

With pictures of the damage and the scene of the accident, you provide more evidence for your case. However, never put yourself in danger to create images. In case of doubt, you can call in 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. Here are the contact options for reporting a claim to your insurance company:

Make your claim Hotline domestic Hotline overseas
AXA Insurance Report damage (in German) 0800 809 809 +41 58 218 11 00
Allianz Suisse Report damage (in German) 0800 22 33 44 +41 43 311 99 11
Baloise Insurance Report damage (in German) 00800 24 800 800 +41 58 285 28 28
Elvia Information about the claim (in German) 0800 666 222 +41 43 311 99 11
Helvetia Report damage (in German) 058 280 30 00 +41 58 280 30 00
Generali Report damage (in German) 0800 82 84 86 +41800 82 84 86
Die Mobiliar Report damage (in German) 00800 16 16 16 16 +41 31 389 81 81
Postfinance Report damage 0848 117 799 +41 58 667 14 00
Simpego Report damage
claim form
058 521 11 11 +41 58 521 11 11
Smile Report damage 0800 848 488 +41 800 848 488
Touring Club Switzerland Report damage 0800 801 000 +41 58 285 28 28
Vaudoise Report damage 0800 811 911 +41 21 618 88 88
Zurich Insurance Report damage 0800 80 80 80 +41 44 628 98 98

Online damage report — that's how it works

The online tools guide you through the reporting process with questions and instructions. You can upload the required documents directly. You will then receive a confirmation email with your claim number.

7. What happens after the claim has been reported?

After the claim has been reported, the insurance company will take care of the next steps. An insurance claims expert is usually in contact with the garage, which repairs the damage. Depending on the damage, an assessment of the collision damage on site is necessary.

How long does it take to process the claim?

Not all damage is the same. If the facts are clear, you can expect faster processing. At complicated claims Does processing usually take longer. As soon as all information is available to clarify the facts, according to the law, the insurance company has four weeks to close the claim.

After the claim has been settled, the insurance company informs the parties involved of the outcome and, depending on the facts, covers the repair costs. Depending on the terms of the contract, the insured person must pay a deductible pay.

Right of termination on both sides

Will your insurance company provide a cost guarantee? You can then cancel the insurance contract within 14 days of becoming aware of the payout. But be careful: The insurance company has the same option and can cancel your contract within two weeks.

This article was first published on 15.07.2019

This might also interest you

What should I do if I have a car accident?

16.06.2023

Hail damage to cars: insurance, costs and procedures

27.06.2023

Which insurance covers natural hazard damage to your car?

15.03.2022

Storm damage: which insurance covers claims, and when?

07.06.2022
Welcome! You are now logged in.
Go to user account