Being involved in an accident can be unpleasant for everyone concerned, whether they are the driver, passenger, injured party, or witness.
It can be a difficult and confusing time with a variety of emotions, perceptions and recollections, so as a taxi driver, it is vital that you remain professional and objective.
After any accident there are procedures that have to be followed, whether it is a scrape, a dent, or a vehicle being written off.
This article focuses on your roles and responsibilities immediately after a crash that will not only help to avoid delays in the claims process, but could prevent problems with a claim being settled.
Evidence
It is important that you report all crashes promptly to whoever is stipulated in your policy – it could be your insurer or taxi insurance broker. Failing to do so could cause delays in processing the claim which can lead to increased costs, as well as issues when it comes to making a claim settlement.
When it is safe to do so, you need to document the scene and record the moments leading up to the crash for your taxi insurance claim.
You will need to exchange names, addresses and insurance details with all other parties affected by the crash, including any passengers in your vehicle.
Taking photos and videos of the scene can be crucial. You should try to include the position of the vehicles involved, the direction of travel, any nearby junctions, traffic signs and signals, the weather, the condition of the road and traffic levels, as well as any road and lane markings, if possible. The make, model, colour and registrations of all vehicles involved should also be noted.
It will be helpful if you can record damage to any property and vehicles involved and note if there were any injuries sustained in the crash, and, where possible, note if there is any pre-existing damage to vehicles and property.
If your taxi or PHV is fitted with a dash-cam, securing the footage could be important in helping insurers determine liability. It is also important to get contact details and accounts from any eyewitnesses, who may also play a vital role in determining liability.
Make sure you don’t apologise or admit liability at the scene as this will be determined later by the insurers. It’s also worth noting down anything that other parties involved might say.
It is vital that you give your insurer as much detail as possible because people’s recollections can change with time, and once the vehicles and debris have been removed from the scene, you can’t get that evidence back.
When you have all the necessary details, you must report the crash using the claims number you have been given. As a taxi driver, you may also need to contact your base or operator, especially if it is a fleet insurance policy. Many companies have their own policies and procedures about what to do in the event of a crash.
Claiming
It is important to know where to find your policy terms so that you are not left stranded and out of pocket in the event of a crash. Your policy documents include the conditions and exclusions, as well as information about any excesses you have to pay – even if this is later claimed back from the at-fault driver. You should review your policy to ensure it meets your needs and speak to your insurer or broker if anything isn’t clear, or to add additional cover if necessary.
It is also important to be honest and co-operate fully with your insurer. This includes sending all documents and details when requested. For an insurance company to challenge the other party’s account of a crash, they need to have full details if they are to disprove any counter claims.
When determining a claim, insurance companies consider all the evidence including vehicle damage and witness accounts to determine liability.
In the event of serious injury or police action following negligent driving, the police report of the incident may also be used by insurance companies to determine liability, as well as any legal proceedings that may result.
In a non-fault claim, you may be able to claim compensation from the third-party’s insurance policy for loss of earnings or hire-vehicle charges resulting from the crash. Passengers could also claim damages and compensation from your insurance policy if they were injured in the accident. If you are not at fault, your insurer will claim what they pay out to the passenger from the third-party insurer.
If you are found to be responsible for a crash, passengers can claim damages and compensation from your taxi insurance.
Once a claim has been processed, the insurance company will either agree the cost of the repair, or, if it is written off, make a settlement offer. Other losses, including any injuries and subsequent treatment, are dealt with separately from the insurer.
Moving on
Making a taxi insurance claim is a process which is made easier when the proper steps are followed. This includes prompt reporting, understanding the policy, gathering evidence and supplying all documents requested by the insurer. This allows them to process the claim quickly and efficiently, without adding unnecessary delays and causing you further stress.
