What to do if you're in a road accident

Last year South Africa ranked worst in a global road safety report. When you consider how much time you actually spend in your car, that's a scary thought. An even scarier fact is the more you drive, the higher your chances of being involved in an accident. It's why car insurance should be a high priority for all South African's - particularly if you've got a long commute to the office every day.

According to statistics, each year road accidents cost as much as $518 billion dollars globally - imagine how much that is in Rands. It is also estimated they cost South Africa between 1-2 % of our annual GDP. While being involved in an accident won't cost you nearly as much, it still puts you out of pocket

So, whether you're on your way to work or off on a new holiday adventure use common sense to prevent an accident. Advice like - always ensure you have had ample rest before driving, take regular breaks on long journeys, or avoid using cell phones - could even save your life

However, chances are even the best drivers will experience a fender bender in their lifetime. If you've never had to deal with this type of thing before it can be daunting. So, in the event of an accident do the following:

1. Do not leave the scene. Ensure no one in your car is injured then check the other car for hurt passengers.

2. Call the police as soon as you can so they can dispatch the relevant medical personnel and police to the scene.

3. Complete an accident report at the scene.

4. Avoid getting into an argument with the other driver. Just ensure you swap insurance and contact details.

5. Report your claim to your insurance provider. They'll be able to tell you what happens next and where you'll be able to get your car fixed.

If you're interested in car insurance we offer three forms of cover at Compendium Insurance: private use, business use for motor vehicles only, business use for light delivery vehicles and motorcycles only. So, why not give one of our brokers a call? They'd be happy to run you through the three options and tailor them to your specific cover needs. You can reach us on 031 242 6800 or visit our website for more details at www.cig.co.za/car-insurance.aspx