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www.drivesouth.co.nz<br />
The call operator will ask for your<br />
details to confirm your insurance<br />
details then direct you on how to<br />
assist you. “Contact your insurance<br />
company and they will advise you<br />
what to do next. Each insurer has<br />
their own process, so it is important<br />
to call them ASAP” Quotes Brendon.<br />
If your vehicle is unsafe<br />
to drive, organize it to<br />
be towed!<br />
This includes if your vehicle is not safe<br />
to drive what to do. Even providing a<br />
tow truck to tow it to a storage yard.<br />
And transport for you if you do not<br />
need medical attention back to your<br />
home. And organisation of a temporary<br />
replacement vehicle if you require<br />
one due to your circumstances. Once<br />
you have established the accident<br />
and reported it they will give you an<br />
insurance claim no. This is important<br />
to keep so you should always ask for<br />
it to be sent to your phone via a text or<br />
email. As a lot of parties further down<br />
the track will require that claim no.<br />
to assist you. Keeping in mind that if<br />
you can swap insurance details; some<br />
people actually ring their insurance<br />
companies while at the scene which is<br />
a great habit. Some wish to not do this<br />
but go home and do it. Then acquire<br />
a claim no. The crucial part here is<br />
establishing if the other party has<br />
insurance and what company they are<br />
with. A very good habit also is to either<br />
have a photo or downloaded PDF to<br />
your phone of your insurance policy.<br />
Or printed off and put in the glovebox.<br />
That way you have those details<br />
available to you. More than likely<br />
your insurance provider has many<br />
ways to track down the other party’s<br />
details but this can cause delays with<br />
your claim. <strong>Best</strong> habit is to ask those<br />
questions at the time – if you can!<br />
Then once you have left the accident<br />
scene and so has your vehicle it is<br />
advised to get a quote for repairs<br />
asap. A Collision repair specialist can<br />
usually do a quote for you or your<br />
insurance company that includes<br />
repair for the whole vehicle - and not<br />
just panel beating. Tyres, rims, engine,<br />
radiators, upholstery can all be done<br />
through them – all part of the quoting<br />
service! If your vehicle is driveable it is<br />
best to call in to your local repairer the<br />
very next day to assess the damage.<br />
You might think that the vehicle is ok<br />
but best to get an expert in to look<br />
at to see if any hidden damage is<br />
hindering the vehicle that you cannot<br />
see. Once you call in to the repairer<br />
they can quickly assess the vehicle by<br />
taking photos of it and get you to fill<br />
out their contact detail forms where<br />
they will ask for your claim no. and<br />
insurance details. They usually need<br />
appointments to do this but it is best to<br />
ring ahead for a time to go in. Beware<br />
though – if your vehicle is not deemed<br />
to be roadworthy by law they are not<br />
allowed to let you drive away in it -<br />
Due to duty of care. Courtesy cars and<br />
accident replacement vehicles can be<br />
provided but be aware of this – a lot of<br />
people can get caught out and do not<br />
plan a head for this. Take your claim<br />
no., an extra bag and travel light in<br />
your vehicle as you never know! Then<br />
once they have assessed it and pass<br />
the assessment on to your Insurance<br />
provider they will organise for you to<br />
drop the vehicle back in for repair<br />
and give an eta for it. Of course<br />
if your vehicle is towed away from<br />
an accident scene your Insurance<br />
provider will organise all of this for you<br />
and provide you on the details of the<br />
who, when and how your vehicle is<br />
going to be prepared. In this situation it<br />
is noted to remain in constant contact<br />
with your insurance company so you<br />
can be aware of what is going on and<br />
that they can assist you with anything<br />
that you need!<br />
To recap the basic steps after a<br />
car accident are – Be safe. Once<br />
everyone and everything is safe<br />
then swap info with the other<br />
parties. Contact your insurance<br />
provider and make an accident<br />
claim. Get quotes for your vehicle<br />
for a repairer then drop it in<br />
once it has been approved and<br />
an appointment date has been<br />
organised. Then you will be back on<br />
the road!<br />
1. Make sure you are safe first!<br />
2. Swap Info details<br />
3. Contact your insurance provider<br />
4. Get a quote for your vehicle repair<br />
5. Book then drop in your vehicle<br />
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