Convenient insurance. Joint reporting: mistakes to avoid in order not to be deceived
Pay close attention to the sketch of the accident: the names of the lanes, the markings on the panels and on the ground, the lights… Photo driver’s box
If the joint report is accompanied by a short user manual, it is recommended not to wait until an accident occurs to read it and understand how it works.
Start by studying the document and read it carefully, especially in the central part where the crosses you will write can change everything: you can go from victim to responsible!
And to avoid panic, start by pre-filling the car, insurance information… You can focus on the essentials.
Mistakes to avoid
– Witness: passengers of said vehicles cannot be witnesses. Neither family members nor relatives of the driver. If the accident happened in front of witnesses, record their full contact details. Otherwise, make it clear that there are no witnesses: this will prevent the late production of a so-called witness of convenience.
– Box trap: Sections 2, 4, 8, 10, 14, 15 and 16 of the peace protocol are often misinterpreted. The challenge is not to confuse the shunting driver with the oncoming driver! If you check these boxes, you will automatically be responsible for the loss.
– Boxes are superior to the sketch: sketch as detailed as possible: street names, road signs, traffic lights, etc. Feel free to take pictures. Note: if there is a conflict between the boxes and the sketch, the boxes take precedence!
Do not try to go too fast to complete the report. You run the risk of falling for a scammer who will hold you accountable when you are not for nothing. Photo General
Always enter the number of crosses
You must always fill in the number of crosses under the boxes. If not specified. It is possible that one or more boxes are checked without your knowledge, which can lead to unpleasant consequences after the wrong information entered by the other party’s driver.
Under these conditions, the latter has every opportunity to mark the situations that are favorable to him and then indicate the number of boxes he has marked, which does not necessarily reflect the reality of the facts.
The importance of reserves
Don’t confuse point of damage with damage: the nº10 heading is used to indicate the point of impact, not the damage your vehicle takes. You point it with an arrow that corresponds to the direction the other car is coming from.
Don’t hesitate to punctuate your notice of caveats, especially regarding damage assessment: “subject to latent damage” or “subject to examination.”
Similarly, at the slightest doubt, check the “injured” box. If health complications appear later, it will be easier to connect with the accident. Even superficial injuries must be reported to be covered by personal injury insurance.
Check the other party’s answers
Even if you have the same interpretation of the circumstances of the accident, it is important to check the information entered by the other party’s driver. If you question these, you should note this in block 14 “Observations” of the report.
This section can also be used if you wish to provide more detailed information about the circumstances of the accident. If no observation is recorded, the driver should enter “None” and above all, leave the space blank.
If you don’t agree, don’t sign
If you disagree with the content of the joint report, it is imperative to share it in the “Observations” section at the back. However, not signing the report and, as with the insurer, clearly explaining the situation and supporting his request with photographs, statements, etc. it is possible to send by adding
In such a situation, if possible, request testimony to support your version of the facts.
Do not accept any responsibility
Do not indicate your alleged defects in the “Accidents” space that appears on the back of the report. It is up to the insurer to determine everyone’s liability based on the information gathered.
Therefore, you need to be very careful when filling out the friendship report and check everything before signing or at least sending it to your insurance company.
These precautions allow you to prevent the other side from taking advantage of certain random mistakes or to tick the boxes you forgot to get out of the game.
