Commercial motor collision? Why prompt reporting still matters

Delays can lead to increased costs, missed opportunities to support those involved and a higher risk of fraud.

The sooner we’re notified, the sooner we can help. You should capture and share the other driver’s full name, telephone number and vehicle registration at the scene. This allows us to take control of the claim early, reducing the chance of third-party insurers/credit-hire organisations becoming involved and increased/higher credit hire costs as a result.

For example, if a minor collision occurs and the incident isn’t reported promptly, the third party may engage a solicitor or a non-GTA-approved* accident management firm. This can triple the cost of the claim and significantly extend its lifecycle.

_{*General Terms of Agreement (GTA) is a voluntary deal between credit hire firms and insurers to standardise rates and cut disputes. Non-subscribers usually charge more.}

Real-world claims scenarios

To help demonstrate this, we’ve created a new claims scenarios document. It outlines four real-world examples that show how delays and missing information can escalate costs - from £3,169 in an ideal scenario - to £13,800 when details are missing and reporting is delayed.

You can download the document and share with others who may benefit from it.

Video resources

We’ve developed two short videos that explain why fast reporting matters.

1. First Notification of Loss (FNOL) video (for business owners)
2. First Notification of Loss (FNOL) video (for drivers)

Further support

We’ve developed posters that can be printed and displayed in depots. Speak to your Claims Service Manager or Motor Risk Consultant to access these.

How you can help

You play a vital role in helping us manage claims effectively.

• Encourage immediate reporting of all motor incidents, regardless of fault or severity
• Stress the importance of collecting the other driver’s full name, phone number, registration and a brief summary of the incident
• Where possible, allow us to speak directly with the driver - this can help us determine liability and offer support
• Promote full information gathering - photos, CCTV footage, witness details and police references all help reduce fraud and disputes