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What to do after the accident has happened and you’ve left the accident scene. 

<h2>STEP 1 Report the accident to Police if required</h2><p>If anyone was injured, it is a legal requirement to report the accident to Police as soon as reasonably practicable and no later than 24 hours after the accident.</p><p>For non-emergency incidents, report <a href="https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">online</a> or call <a href="tel:105" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">105</a>. Keep your Police event number — your insurer will likely ask for it.</p><p>If the accident wasn't your fault, follow up with the other driver for their claim number. If it was your fault, contact the other driver to provide yours.</p><h2>STEP 2 Decide how to claim - depending on who caused the accident</h2><p>Here are your options:</p><h3>If the accident wasn't your fault and you have comprehensive cover:</h3><p>Claim through your own insurer. Even if the other driver is completely at fault, lodging a claim with your insurer means they liaise with the other insurer on your behalf. Your insurer chases recovery from the at-fault party afterward. This is almost always the easiest path.</p><h3>If the accident wasn't your fault and you have third-party property insurance or no cover:</h3><p>You need to deal with the at-fault driver or their insurer directly. Ask for their insurer's contact details and claim number. You cannot claim on the other driver's insurance directly — their insurer has no contract with you. They may offer to assess your vehicle, arrange repairs, or provide a hire car.</p><h3>If you caused the accident and have comprehensive cover:</h3><p>Claim on your own policy. You'll pay the excess and may lose your no-claims bonus.</p><h3>If you caused the accident and have third-party property only:</h3><p>Your insurer covers the other driver's damage. Your own vehicle damage is not covered.</p><h2>STEP 3 Notify your insurer (within 24–48 hours)</h2><p>Prepare the following for your insurer:</p><ul><li><p>Your policy number</p></li><li><p>Date, time and location of the accident</p></li><li><p>A description of what happened</p></li><li><p>The other driver's details: name, phone, address, rego, licence number, and their insurer if known</p></li><li><p>Photos and witness contact details if available</p></li></ul><p>Call your insurer's claims line or lodge online via their app or portal. Most insurers have claims teams available 24/7.</p><p>The insurer will assign a claim number — write it down. This is your reference for everything that follows.</p><p>Most policies require prompt notification even if you don't intend to claim — so do this regardless of fault.</p><h2>STEP 4 Pay your excess</h2><p>Most claims require you to pay an excess upfront before repairs start. In New Zealand this commonly ranges from a few hundred dollars up to $1,600 or more for younger or restricted licence drivers.</p><p>If the accident was entirely the other driver's fault and you can provide their full details, many insurers will waive the excess. Otherwise, you pay it upfront and your insurer refunds it later if and when they recover costs from the at-fault driver’s insurer.</p><p>The claim usually won't proceed until you've paid your excess, or the insurer has confirmed it has been waived.</p><h2>STEP 5 Vehicle assessment</h2><p>Your insurer will either:</p><ul><li><p>Ask you to upload photos for a desktop assessment (common for minor damage)</p></li><li><p>Send an assessor to inspect the car in person</p></li><li><p>Direct you to take the car to an approved repairer who does the assessment on site</p></li></ul><p>Assessments typically take 3–14 days to complete.</p><h2>STEP 6 Repair or write-off decision</h2><p>The assessor decides whether to repair or write off the vehicle. If the cost of repairs exceeds the value of replacing the car, it will be written off.</p><h3>If repairable:</h3><p>Your insurer will confirm which repairer to use and when to book in. Most repairs wrap up within two to six weeks. Delays can occur when parts are on back-order or liability is disputed.</p><h3>If written off:</h3><p>The insurer offers a settlement based on your policy's agreed value or market value. You can negotiate this — get your own valuation from <a href="https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors?srsltid=AfmBOop8045SLKAVif6LPfHFJY1uQe3ldp8EyPiMLstAHnvRWSMRyJkI" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Trade Me Motors listings</a> or a motoring organisation report if you think their offer is low.</p><p>Once you accept, insurers typically pay out within five to ten business days.</p><h2>STEP 7 Accident replacement vehicle</h2><p>Book a hire vehicle while your car is off the road for repairs or until your write-off settlement is received.</p><p>If the driver who caused the accident is identified and insured, contact Right2Drive to <a href="https://www.right2drive.co.nz/application-your-details" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">apply</a> for an accident replacement vehicle at no cost to you. This is a legal entitlement many people aren't aware of. You'll be provided with a similar vehicle suitable to your needs. The cost is covered by the at-fault driver's insurer once the hire is completed.</p><p>If you caused the accident or the at-fault driver is uninsured, you'll need to arrange and pay for your own hire vehicle.</p><h2>STEP 8 Recovery against the at-fault driver</h2><p>If you claimed on your own comprehensive policy and weren't at fault, your insurer handles recovery in the background — you don't need to chase the other driver. It can take months but doesn't affect your claim outcome.</p><p>If you need to recover costs from the at-fault driver directly, send a Letter of Demand with your repair invoices or quotes. If they don't pay, you can take them to the Disputes Tribunal — which handles claims up to $60,000 and is quicker and cheaper than going to court.</p><h2>STEP 9 Track your claim</h2><p>Keep a folder — digital is fine — with:</p><ul><li><p>Claim number</p></li><li><p>Photos</p></li><li><p>All emails</p></li><li><p>Quotes</p></li><li><p>Invoices</p></li><li><p>Receipts for related expenses (tow, hire vehicle, etc.)</p></li><li><p>Notes from every phone call (date, time, who you spoke to, what was agreed)</p></li></ul><h2>If things go wrong</h2><p>Request an internal review from your insurer first — free, in writing.</p><p>If that doesn't resolve it, escalate to the Insurance and <a href="https://www.ifso.nz/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Financial Services Ombudsman (IFSO)</a> — free, independent, and binding on the insurer.</p><h2>Personal injury</h2><p>If anyone was injured, an ACC claim runs in parallel and is separate from your property insurance claim.</p><p>ACC covers personal injury on a no-fault basis for everyone in New Zealand.</p><p>Lodge your ACC claim as soon as possible at <a href="https://www.acc.co.nz/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">acc.co.nz</a> or through your treating health provider.</p><h2>Download our full guide</h2><p>You can download our full guide here:  <a href="https://cloud.squidex.io/api/assets/right2drive/56554c99-bbf8-41ca-82e4-810a64d60623/r2d093-post-accident-guide-nz-v1.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">R2D093 Post Accident Guide NZ_v1.pdf</a> </p>

Vehicle Accident Guide: What to Do After a Car Accident in New Zealand

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What If the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?

What to do after the accident has happened and you’ve left the accident scene.

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Vehicle Accident Guide: What to Do After a Car Accident in New Zealand

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