According to 2023 data, there were approximately 257 million passenger cars registered throughout the European Union, a 6.7% rise in the number of cars from 2018.

As you would expect, this correlates with an increase in the amount of motor insurance policies being issued to European drivers. In line with this, statistics show that the total worth of motor insurance claims paid out by insurance providers in Europe amounted to over 97 billion euros in 2020.

Motor insurance protects drivers, and third parties involved in accidents, against injury, loss or damage to vehicles and other property, aside from providing additional benefits to the policyholder.

For many drivers, particularly those new to the road, there may be questions around exactly what would be the motor insurance claim procedure that would apply should they need to report an accident under their motor insurance policy.

Here we discover the key facts about motor insurance claim procedures, so you can better understand how you are protected if you have an accident or incur damage to your vehicle.

Contents

• What to do if you have an accident.
• What is the motor insurance claim procedure?
• Protect your vehicle with motor insurance from GasanMamo.

What to do if you have an accident

In the unfortunate event that you have an accident in your car or there is accidental damage caused to your vehicle, following a few simple steps could help you take charge of the situation.

As car accidents or unexpected damage can both be traumatic and a shock, keeping some key strategies in mind supports clear thinking and an easier resolution of any accident dispute.

Here are some tips to help if you have an accident:

• Stop your vehicle as soon as possible and turn off your engine. 
• Check all passengers are safe and confirm if there are any injuries. Call the police and an ambulance if anyone is hurt.
• If you are a GasanMamo client use the Claim Easy app on your Smartphone, it will guide you what to do and how to report the claim
• If this is a minor collision with no injuries, move the vehicle to one side and fil in the Front to Rear accident report form.  Keep a copy for yourself.
• If the collision is not minor and there are no injuries, call the LESA accident reporting service on 21320202.  Do not move the cars unless instructed by a police or LESA officer.
• Exchange personal and insurance details with any involved parties if an accident has occurred.
• Take photos of the damage, the accident site and relevant road signs and markings as well as any other key information.   Record witness names and contact details.  You will  want to share these with your insurer.

What is the motor insurance claim procedure?

It’s helpful to understand what motor insurance is and how it works before you go through a motor insurance claim process. Motor insurance is a policy you take out that protects you and your vehicle if you have an accident or cause injury or damage to a third party.

It helps protect you from financial loss in these circumstances and can provide compensation for damages covered by your policy.  It all depends on the cover you have. If you do not have comprehensive cover and are not to blame for the accident you should claim against the motor insurer of the third party as your own losses are uninsured under your policy.

If you need to make an insurance claim, the following actions will help you reach your insurance provider with the correct information so that any claims can be resolved.

1. Assess the situation

One of the first actions to take is to check for damage inside and outside of your vehicle. Look for any dents, scratches or telltale marks on the exterior and make sure everything is working properly in the interior of the vehicle.

2. Take evidence

Recording any damage to your vehicle can be critical in determining some issues that may arise related to an accident. Take photos of any marks or damage you see. You can also make notes to accompany images which will help to explain exactly what happened to your insurance provider.

Ask any witnesses for a description of events and for their contact details so that your insurance company can confirm these with them. Keep all evidence safe until your motor insurance claim has been settled. 

3. Contact your insurer

Getting in touch with your insurance provider as soon as possible after an accident or if damage has been done to your vehicle helps get the claims process underway. Pass on all of the relevant information you have collected about your accident, including any third-party contact or insurance details.

If the police or LESA officers have  attended the accident site, you would also have a report reference number to share with your insurance company.  The insurance company will obtain the report on your behalf.

4. Obtain a decision

Once you have completed your conversation with your insurer, they will begin their investigation into your claim. You may have to wait some time for this to be completed.  In the meantime they will arrange for your car to be inspected in order to assess the damage.

After your insurer has come to a decision about your claim, they will get in contact with you to let you know the outcome.

If you are likely to incur any additional expenses during this period, such as car rental, contact  your insurer to see if these costs are covered.

5. Claim resolution

If your insurer accepts your claim, they will authorise repairs and then settle the cost directly with the repairer.  If the car is badly damaged, they will probably write it off and you will be paid the cost to replace it.   You may need to provide some  documents such as the purchase agreement and the vehicle’s registration documents.

It may take some time for your claim to be processed and payments to be completed. Reach out to your insurer if you have any questions.

Protect your vehicle with motor insurance from GasanMamo

If you have any questions about the different classes of motor insurance and what specific policies would be ideal for your vehicle, then contact GasanMamo’s motor insurance experts for a chat. 

Gasanmamo provides knowledgeable specialists and additional benefits ranging from discounts for multiple vehicles to free roadside assistance. All good reasons why we are Malta’s leading motor insurance provider.

Plus, we offer an affordable motor insurance policy for young drivers called Boosh. It is specifically designed  for  drivers between the ages of 18-24 and offers a range of additional benefits at an affordable premium.

Get a quote today, or contact  our  team  for a friendly chat.

GasanMamo Insurance is authorised under the Insurance Business Act and regulated by the MFSA.