Five key steps to take after a car accident in the UAE
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, GIG Gulf, the first regional insurer provides a wide range of insurance policies for individuals 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 GIG Gulf’s guide to the 5 key steps one should take after a car accident in the UAE:
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ALERT THE AUTHORITIES: There are, of course, different levels of incidents. In this guide, we are focusing on a collision between one 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.
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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.
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NOTIFY YOUR INSURER: Contact your car 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 GIG Gulf Car Insurance, policy holders are allowed to register a claim with GIG Gulf, 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.
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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 GIG Gulf, road-side assistance can be availed by calling their toll-free number, and the towing service is offered free of cost to policy holders.
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FOLLOW-UP ON YOUR CLAIM AND REPAIR PROCESS: GIG Gulf 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, GIG Gulf sends regular SMS and email alerts during all stages of the claim processing.
