The first minutes after a collision are confusing: adrenaline, traffic, an unfamiliar other party. At times like this, a rehearsed sequence of steps is worth more than any amount of cleverness – and that's exactly what this article gives you: what to do at the scene, and how the case then runs on the casco and MTPL (compulsory motor third-party liability) tracks.
- Sequence at the scene: safety → documentation → exchanging details → completing the accident statement – facts instead of arguing.
- The European Accident Statement (the blue-and-yellow form) is not an admission of liability – it records the facts; both parties keep a copy.
- For damage to your own car, casco is the quick route – if you are not at fault, the case can also run via the at-fault driver's MTPL insurer, though that can take longer.
At the scene: the seven steps
1) Stop, put on your hazard lights, and put on a hi-vis vest. 2) Is anyone injured? Call emergency services (112). 3) Photos: an overall view showing the position of the vehicles, close-ups of the damage, number plates, the layout of the road. 4) Exchange details: name, number plate, insurer, policy number – the other party's MTPL policy is the key document. 5) Complete the European Accident Statement – factually, with the sketch. 6) Witnesses' contact details, if there are any. 7) Call the police if liability is disputed, someone is injured, or the other party is uncooperative. NEVER sign an admission of liability at the scene under pressure.
Casco or the other party's MTPL? The two tracks
If you are not at fault, two routes are open: reporting to the at-fault driver's MTPL insurer (covered by the kotelezo.biz guide for not-at-fault drivers), or running the case through your own casco. The casco route is typically faster – you need to allow for the deductible, but the recourse claim between the insurers can settle the final account; the details (deductible refund, effect on claims history) depend on the specific policy, so it's worth clarifying this at the start of the case. If you are at fault: the other party's damage goes to your MTPL, and your own goes to your casco – see the case map in the companion article.
From reporting to repair
On the casco side, the usual process runs: reporting via the insurer's claims line, inspection, calculation, repair – the full process is here. For collision damage, two practical questions deserve attention: choosing a garage (contracted network vs. your own garage) and the question of depreciation on replaced parts. This is where a rental-car add-on proves its worth: if you have one, you'll stay mobile through the weeks of repair.
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