Notice of accident

A notice of accident is the notification a policyholder gives their insurer after a crash, informing them that an accident has happened and a claim may follow.

Motor policies commonly require this notice within a short window after the accident. The exact number of days is set by the policy, not by statute, so check your own document. See reporting to your insurer. Delay can complicate a claim.

Give notice early, even before every detail is confirmed. A call to the insurer’s hotline is often accepted as a first step, followed by the written notice the policy requires.

If an insurer disputes late notice, an independent lawyer can take the claim on.