No one expects to be involved in a car accident. Unfortunately though, in the blink of an eye, some of us can find ourselves involved in a car accident in the UAE. Even a minor accident can open the door for shock to set in. For this reason, AXA, one of the largest international insurers in the GCC and the world’s no. 1 global insurance brand for the 10th consecutive year*, is offering some helpful advice to prepare you to deal with the aftermath of being involved in a car accident.

An accident may occur under a number of different circumstances. Accidents could be a direct result of our actions or they may be caused by the mistake of other drivers. In any case, the situation can be extremely stressful. In an accident situation, panic can easily set in and consequently individuals may not take the necessary actions to protect themselves and their interests.

The following is AXA’s guide to the 5 key steps one should take after a car accident in the UAE:

1. ALERT THE AUTHORITIES: There are, of course, different levels of incidents. In this guide, we are focusing on a collision between two or more cars in which there are no serious injuries to the people involved. In the event of serious injury, then you must dial 999 to call the ambulance immediately. You can also dial 901 in the case of a non-emergency accident situation. Alternatively, minor accidents can now be reported via the Dubai Police mobile application. The process takes three minutes only and you will be required to enter the details of your driving license and car registration, while also being prompted to take some pictures of the damage to your car in order for authorities to assess the scene and identify the party at fault.

2. OBTAIN THE FULL POLICE REPORT: The most important document to ascertain in the event of a collision is the Police Report. Without this you can find yourself in serious trouble, both legally and financially as it is illegal to carry out any repairs without a police report. For accidents reported through the Dubai Police app, accident reports are sent to all parties involved via SMS within 24 hours of completing the process on the app.

3. NOTIFY YOUR INSURER: Contact your motor insurance company as soon as possible and let them know that you have been involved in a road accident. Inform them that you have the police report and that they should arrange collection of the car from said location. The insurance company will then advise you on what to do next with the police report. With AXA’s motor insurance, policy holders are allowed to register a claim with AXA, using preliminary information in case the police report takes longer to obtain than expected. Upon receiving the formal police report, this claim will be re-validated and consequently formalised.

4. WAIT FOR HELP TO ARRIVE: If the damage is only cosmetic, then it should be fine to drive away from the scene. In the case that your car has sustained substantial damage and is unsafe to drive, your insurer will generally be obliged to send out a recovery truck to tow your car to the nearest certified garage. With AXA, road-side assistance can be availed by calling their toll-free number, and the towing service is offered free of cost to policy holders.

5. FOLLOW-UP ON YOUR CLAIM AND REPAIR PROCESS: AXA’s claim acknowledgement procedure is immediate. Claim and workshop details are promptly communicated to the policy holders. The repair duration depends on the extent of damages and spare parts availability. Furthermore, in order to streamline the repair process and provide convenience to customers, AXA sends regular SMS and email alerts during all stages of the claim processing.

Franck Heimburger, Chief Personal Lines Officer at AXA in the Gulf, advises: “Accidents are sometimes hard to avoid, regardless of how carefully you drive. Above are some of the key measures that you should follow in the event of a road accident. Just try to remain calm and ensure all these steps are observed. Purchase car insurance cover for your vehicle, as it can be your safety net during such situations and notify your insurers as soon as possible. Moreover, keeping a checklist with post-accident steps in the car can help you make sure you're covered when contacting your car insurer.”

The no. 1 global insurance brand, AXA, offers great covers at competitive prices.

For more information, call 800 AXA (292) or visit www.axa.ae 

*As per Interbrand 2018 ranking.

© Press Release 2019

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