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Types of Cover
Do you need Third Party insurance or Comprehensive cover for you van? Read our guide on the main types of cover available to drivers.
Published in Van Insurance

Accidents & Incidents
Road accidents, even relatively minor ones, are stressful and inconveniencing experiences. At the scene of an accident it is important remain as calm as possible and to get as much information as possible to determine liability and accelerate the claims process.
Published in Van Insurance

How to Claim
Read our guide on how to make a successful claim - be sure that you are fully prepared when it comes to making a claim and that you know what you are and aren't covered for in your policy.
Published in Van Insurance

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Accidents & Incidents

What should I do in the event of an accident?

In accordance with the 1989 Road Traffic Act you must stop and wait at the scene of the accident, at least long enough to exchange insurance details with any third parties, if any person or animal has been injured or if any property, road signs, or other vehicles, are damaged. 

After stopping and checking for any injuries to yourself and any other passengers who may be in your car, you should take down as much on the spot information as you can; take down information such as license plates, and note brief vehicle descriptions (black Ford Mondeo, etc) and get hold of the names and addresses of any independent witnesses before they leave the scene of the accident.
If you have a digital camera or a mobile phone with an adequate camera, try to take some pictures of the scene before anything gets moved. It may also help to make a rough overhead sketch of the accident.

  • Make a note of registration numbers
  • If you can, take pictures of the accident
  • Draw a rough overhead sketch


Ask any other drivers or peoples involved for their names and addresses and make a note of their respective car registration numbers. Ask to trade insurance details - ask for the name of their insurers and, if possible, their policy number or certificate number. The other drivers should also ask to see yours. If you are not the driver of the car, you are still required to give your name and address to anyone with grounds for wanting them. If anyone is injured, produce your certificate of insurance. If you cannot do this at the scene you must produce it at a police station within 24 hours. 

Essential information to obtain includes:

  • Contact details of the drivers and any witnesses
  • The policy/certificate number of the driver/s involved


Remain calm and do not say or do anything which may compromise your position. You should neither admit liability nor accuse any third party of the same. Keep calm, and avoid conversation about possible cause of the accident until you have contacted the authorities and your insurer - admitting or apportioning blame could jeopardise your claim.

Who should I contact first, my insurer or the police?

At this point you should call the police to notify them that there has been an accident, and any other emergency services that may be required. You should always call the police first before contacting anyone else. 

You should contact your insurer as quickly as possible, preferably as soon as you're off the phone from the police. Even if you do not intend to make a claim, you are still obliged to contact your insurer - this is a general condition of your agreement with the company.

What should I do next?

After having contacted the authorities and your insurer and you have exchanged details with the third parties, wait for the police to arrive and take down everyone's details before deciding if you intend to make a claim.

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