What to Do After a Road Accident — The Insurance Steps

An accident is a confusing moment. Even a relatively light collision floods you with adrenaline and makes it hard to think in the right order. This article goes through the basic steps every driver should remember — safety first, documentation, exchanging details, reporting to the agent and the police — plus common mistakes that can hurt you later, especially when an insurance claim is involved.

Step 1: Safety and medical care first

Right after the collision — check that no one is injured. If in doubt, call Magen David Adom (101) and the police (100). Turn on hazard lights, place a warning triangle if possible, and move away from the lane of traffic. Documenting and exchanging details can wait until immediate medical needs are handled.

Step 2: Exchange details — without admitting fault

Collect the other driver's details: name, phone number, license plate, insurer and policy number. If your insurer has a 24/7 hotline, you can call from the scene. Crucially: do not accept responsibility, and do not deny it at the scene. Liability is decided through a separate process by the insurers — and in some cases by a court.

Step 3: Document the scene

Photograph the scene before moving the vehicles, whenever it is safe to do so. Capture:

• The vehicles from every angle, including the damage.
• The position of the vehicles on the road and the surrounding area.
• Skid marks, broken glass or oil on the road.
• Traffic signs, lights and direction signs.
• Details of nearby vehicles and any witnesses.

Step 4: Witnesses and a calm record of what happened

If anyone saw the accident, ask for their name and phone number. Independent witness statements can help later. If your passengers stay calm — it is worth writing down a brief sequence in a note on your phone: where you were coming from, your approximate speed, who appeared first, and how the accident unfolded. The note is not binding — but it helps you reconstruct what happened before reporting.

Step 5: Report to the agent or the insurer's claims centre

As soon as possible — report to your agent or the insurer's claims centre. They will tell you which forms are needed, which garage to use, and whether a replacement car or towing is included. Late reporting can complicate the claim. Save the reference number you receive from the call.

Step 6: Police report — when it is required

If anyone is injured or there is immediate danger, contact the emergency services. For a minor accident, check whether the case qualifies for the official Israel Police online reporting service. It lists eligibility conditions and required documents. A disagreement about fault alone does not establish a reporting duty; ask the police for instructions if unsure.

Step 7: Keep documents and invoices

Every document you receive after the accident — repair invoices, towing receipts, replacement-car invoices, medical records — should be kept in one file. They may be needed for the claim, for a complementary claim with Bituach Leumi, or for a bodily-injury claim under Israeli road-accident law.

The difference between bodily injury and property damage

Bodily injury in a road accident in Israel is handled mainly through mandatory insurance and the road-accident compensation law (no-fault). Property damage to your own car is handled through comprehensive cover (if you have one); property damage to someone else's car — through third-party or comprehensive cover. Subject to policy terms.

Common post-accident mistakes

• Admitting fault or writing a written agreement at the scene before all the facts are known.
• Not photographing the scene because 'the damage is small' — and later discovering you have no documentation.
• Not exchanging full details — name, phone, license plate, insurer — and trying to settle verbally.
• Waiting too long to report to the agent, beyond what the policy allows.
• Not reporting to the police where injury is involved, and losing rights under the law.
• Agreeing to repairs at a garage not approved by the insurer before getting authorisation.