In the minutes after a collision it is easy to forget something important. This is the short list of what to exchange, what to record, and what you do not need to hand over.
The legal minimum
If there is damage or injury, drivers must stop and give their name, address and vehicle registration to anyone with reasonable grounds to ask. If details are not exchanged at the scene, the incident must be reported to the police, normally within 24 hours.
↑ Back to contentsDetails that genuinely help later
Beyond the legal minimum, a few extra details save a lot of chasing.
- Full name, phone number and address of the other driver.
- Vehicle make, model, colour and registration.
- Insurer name and policy number if they will share it.
- Whether the driver owns the vehicle or is driving for a company.
- Names and numbers of any independent witnesses.
- Exact location, time, weather and road conditions.
Frequently asked questions
The insurance questions drivers ask us most
Straight answers on premiums, excess, write-offs and replacement vehicles, written by our Bristol repair team.
- Non-fault accident: what it means and what to do (UK guide)A plain-English UK guide to non-fault accidents: how liability is decided, your repair and replacement vehicle options, and the mistakes that cost drivers money.
- What to do after a car accident that wasn’t your faultThe exact steps to take at the scene, in the first 24 hours and in the first week after someone else hits your car in the UK.
- Will a non-fault accident affect my insurance? (UK)How a non-fault claim can show on your record, what happens to your premium and what to check with your insurer.
- Do I have to pay my insurance excess?When an excess applies after a non-fault accident, and the practical routes that can avoid paying one up front.
Your next steps
Based on what you have just read, these are the pages most drivers go to next.
Prefer to speak to someone now?
SAR Group is a repair-led accident support and bodyshop business, and your first point of contact after a non-fault accident. We are not an FCA-authorised claims management company: every non-fault case is handled through our authorised and regulated partner network.