In the event of a road accident, it is important to know how to report the event to the insurance company, fulfilling all the necessary steps to facilitate any reimbursements and compensation. The procedure is quite simple, especially in the presence of certain responsibilities on the part of the vehicles involved.
In any case, it is essential to respect the timing for sending the report and the methods to be used for communicating the incident. Let's see how the accident report to your insurance company works, act consciously, and be sure to accurately ascertain the dynamics of the facts.
How long do I have to report an accident to the insurance company?
In order to obtain compensation following an accident, where foreseen, it is essential to communicate the accident to the insurance company within the times established by law. Italian jurisprudence, as indicated by Article 1913 of the Civil Code, recognizes 3 days for reporting the claim to the insurance company starting from the date of the event.
In some particular cases, it is possible to make a late notification of the claim, exceeding the 3-day threshold set by the Civil Code. This option depends on the reasons that caused your report to be delayed, specifically if:
- the delay is not linked to the will of the insured;
- the company cannot prove the willful default of the insured;
- the insurance provides different times for the communication of the claim.
Not all companies provide 3 days for making the claim known, for this reason, it is important to always check the deadline established in the insurance contract. Similarly, the right to indemnity is also subject to limitation, with a timescale normally up to 2 years from the sending of the communication to the insurance company, with the exception of accidents classified as a crime. Texas Department of Insurance License Agent Lookup
How to report an insurance claim
All insurance companies make the blue form available to their customers, a document to be used for the friendly report of the accident (CAI) . In the presence of an accident with an agreement between the parties for liability, it represents the best solution, as it facilitates the request for compensation for damages by the insurance companies.
The CAI can also be completed online, with the counterparty's signature via SMS, in any case, it is important to enter all the requested information, paying particular attention to the mandatory data. The presence of a double signature, one's own and that of the counterparty, is essential to protect oneself against any disputes.
Otherwise, if the blue form is just signed by a driver, it is essential to collect evidence that can help establish the dynamics of the accident and responsibilities, including through the identification of any witnesses. Subsequently, the CAI must be sent to the insurance company within 3 days, using one of the following methods:
- by registered mail with A/R receipt;
- by PEC, certified e-mail;
- in person at a company territory office.
Alternatively, if it is not possible to fill in the form for the friendly assessment, it is still necessary to report the accident to the insurance company. In this case, it is possible to do it in person in the company's offices, online via a reserved area on the website or app if the insurance provides for this method, or by telephone by reporting the accident with the support of the contact center service personnel.
What information must be provided to report the accident
Regardless of the process employed, a variety of information must be provided to the company, especially when the blue CAI form is not being used and the complaint is made on your own. The basic data for communicating the claim to the insurance company are:
- date and time of the accident;
- the exact location of the accident;
- the license plate of the vehicle involved;
- the generality of the counterparty;
- other vehicle's insurance data;
- information from the Police Forces present on site;
- indications and medical documents of any injured persons involved;
- contact details and details of any witnesses.
To help the company ascertain the fact it is important to collect information and evidence, for example by photographing the vehicles involved in the accident and the place of the accident, or by collecting the contact details of witnesses who can contribute to ascertaining responsibility. Obviously, in the event of disputes, injuries, and serious damage to vehicles, it is advisable to always call the police.
Direct compensation for accident reports without liability
As required by the new law, for accidents in which you are not responsible, you can request direct compensation from your company, instead of waiting for compensation from the counterparty's insurance company. This method speeds up the reimbursement of damages in some circumstances, also facilitating the management of bureaucratic obligations.
Direct compensation is allowed only in the presence of some specific conditions:
- accident with only two motor vehicles involved;
- the accident occurred on Italian territory (Vatican City and the Republic of San Marino included);
- vehicles both registered in Italy (Vatican City and the Republic of San Marino included);
- vehicles with civil liability insurance adhering to the CARD convention.
In all other cases, the compensation request must be sent to the counterparty's company, following the procedures established for ordinary compensation. With the agreement between the parties, the liquidation of the damages ends within 30 days, otherwise with disagreement, it can reach up to 60 days or 90 days in the presence of injuries to persons. However, the settlement of the claim must take place within 15 days of the compensation proposal.
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