In a collision, what about insurance?
If you have a car collision, there are a number of things you need to take care of right away for your car insurance. Below is a complete overview of the steps you need to take to recover damages as well as information on coverage.
Single-sided and double-sided damage
It can happen to anyone: you hit a pole or collide with another vehicle. There are two types of damage:
Single-sided damage:
If only your vehicle is involved (for example, a pole or tree).
Two-sided damage:
If another road user is involved.
With two-sided damages, the question of fault comes into play. If you cause the damage, the other party can hold you liable. This is why third-party insurance is mandatory: it compensates damage to others.
Damage coverage
Damage to another person
Every car owner in the Netherlands is required to have at least third-party car insurance. WA stands for legal liability. With a WA insurance you are insured for damage for which you are liable. This is the least extensive and cheapest car insurance.
Damage to your own car
Damage to your own car is not covered with a third-party car insurance. If you also want to insure the damage to your own car, you can choose a WA limited-casco or an all-risk car insurance. Which coverage you can best choose depends on a number of factors. The daily value of your car, the monthly premium, how dependent you are on the car and the number of claim-free years you have accumulated are important things to consider when choosing coverage.
Car insurance coverage.
WA (mandatory)
- Damage to others
- Theft, joyriding and missing.
- Window damage
- Damage caused by fire or natural disasters
- Own damage from a collision
Limited casco
- Damage to others
- Theft, joyriding and missing.
- Window damage
- Damage caused by fire or natural disasters
- Own damage from a collision
All Risk (WA+Casco)
- Damage to others
- Theft, joyriding and missing.
- Window damage
- Damage caused by fire or natural disasters
- Own damage from a collision
Roadmap after a collision
1
Get everyone to safety
Call police or ambulance if injured or seriously damaged. If possible, pull cars over safely. Never stand in the emergency lane, but behind the guardrail or on the shoulder.
2
Call emergency services or alarm center
If necessary, call the emergency center (number is on the green card).
3
Fill out the claim form
Then you have to fill out the claim form. In a single-sided damage, the question of fault does not play a role. When there is a two-sided damage with another vehicle, you both fill out the claim form. The claim form is often mandatory for the insurer to handle the claim.
Always fill it out together to avoid misunderstandings. Be alert and record everything carefully. Make sure both the front and back are filled out completely. Don't just put your signature: if you disagree, use the 'My comments' box and only sign after your view has been added. The insurer also uses the form to assess whether the claim is recoverable from a perpetrator.
4
Collect evidence
Take pictures of the situation and see if you can find witnesses to give a statement.
5
Contact your insurer
Consult the next steps and keep your green card handy.
6
Have your car towed away if necessary
If your car needs to be towed, contact the roadside assistance center. If your car is seriously damaged and it cannot be repaired on site, the roadside assistance will drive the car to a storage facility. Often this is a garage. Check if this is within your coverage.
Report damage to insurer
The moment you have a claim, it is important to always report it to your insurer. Your insurer will assess whether you are entitled to compensation. Are you not all-risk insured and is the other party unknown? Then under certain conditions you can appeal to the Guarantee Fund. If your situation meets the conditions, you can still have the damage repaired. We are happy to help you file a claim.
Compensation after a collision
After a collision, as a victim, you are entitled to compensation: both for property damage (such as your car and personal belongings) and intangible damage (damages).
The amount of compensation depends on your expenses incurred. In principle, 50% to 100% of the damage is reimbursed. If you are not at fault, the full damage is compensated. Medical expenses and loss of income may also be covered.
Personal injury help
Have you suffered personal injury, such as physical injury or loss of income? If so, we can assist you. We work with specialized partners who will try to recover damages for you, including damages and lost income.
Drop in claim-free years in case of fault damage
For every year that you do not claim on your car insurance you will receive 1 claim-free year. The more claim-free years you have, the more discount you get on the premium of your car insurance. When claiming a culpable damage, you fall back 5 claim-free years. A fault damage means that when you accidentally hit another car, the fault can be attributed to you. Because of this, the other party's damage will be claimed from your car insurance. For each damage claimed, you will lose 5 damage-free years, regardless of the damage amount.
Related pages about car damage
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