Filing an Insurance Claim After an Accident in South Africa - A Practical Guide

Overview: filing an insurance claim after an accident in South Africa

Immediately after an accident your priorities are safety, documenting the scene and making sure any injured people get help. Filing an insurance claim after an accident in South Africa is a process that combines evidence collection, timely reporting to your insurer and complying with statutory and policy-specific requirements. Acting promptly and carefully improves the chance of a smooth claim outcome and helps protect your position if there are third-party or injury elements to the claim.

First actions at the scene and first 24 hours

Secure the scene, move vehicles only if safe, and call emergency services where needed. Exchange names, ID numbers, vehicle registration and insurer details with other drivers. Take multiple photos (wide shots and close-ups) and short video of damage, road markings, signage and skid marks. If required under your policy or for claims involving injuries, report to the South African Police Service and obtain a case or accident report number.

• Report to your insurer as soon as possible - most policies require notification within a specified period.
• Keep medical reports and receipts if there are injuries; these matter for personal injury or RAF-type processes.
• Note witness names and contact details where available.

How documentation helps your claim

Good evidence reduces disputes. Photographs dated close to the accident, a police accident number (if one is issued), witness statements and a clear, written account of events all support your case. If a tow or repairs are needed urgently, keep receipts and photos of the vehicle before any repair work begins to avoid complications with insurer assessments.

When to repair vs when to consider selling

Deciding whether to repair or sell depends on repair estimates compared with market value, policy excesses and the effect of an accident claim on future premiums. For older vehicles or those with structural or flood damage, selling to a specialist buyer can remove ongoing repair risk and logistics.

Values shown are illustrative, in South African rand (R), and depend on vehicle make, age and local market demand. If a repair estimate approaches or exceeds likely resale value, selling as-is becomes a practical option - some buyers also offer free towing and handle deregistration, which simplifies the post-accident process.

If you want to explore selling a non-running or damaged vehicle for convenience after a claim, see the Sell Non-Running Car page for how specialist buyers manage collection and admin: Sell Non-Running Car.

How the insurer claim process typically works

After you notify your insurer, an assessor will usually inspect the vehicle or ask for photos and documentation. The assessor provides an estimate to the insurer, who will confirm whether the vehicle is repairable under your policy or likely to be written off based on the insurer’s criteria and market value. The insurer will also outline policy excesses and any conditions for repair authorisation.

Practical steps during assessment

• Provide clear photos and the repairer’s quote (if you obtained one) to speed processing.
• If a replacement vehicle is required, check policy terms for any temporary hire coverage.
• Keep records of all communications with the insurer, assessor and repairer.

Legal & paperwork considerations in South Africa

Key paperwork includes the police accident report (where applicable), pictures, insurer claim forms and any repairer estimates or receipts. If your vehicle is funded by finance, inform the finance provider - settlement of a total-loss claim often requires coordination between insurer and funder. Deregistration or transfer of ownership after a sale or write-off must follow Road Traffic Act requirements and is typically handled by the buyer or repair shop acting with your instruction.

For injuries or claims with third-party liability, processes such as the Road Accident Fund (RAF) may be relevant - these run in parallel to insurer property claims and have separate timelines and documentation requirements.

Tips to maximise the strength of your claim

• Document thoroughly: multiple dated photos, a written account and witness details.
• Get at least one independent repair estimate before accepting insurer-appointed repairers where possible.
• If you’re unsure about salvage or write-off status, request written confirmation and a clear explanation from the insurer.
• Keep receipts for any emergency repairs or towing to support reimbursement claims.

What happens after collection (if you choose to sell the damaged vehicle)

Some vehicle owners choose to transfer a damaged or written-off vehicle to a specialist buyer instead of managing repairs themselves. In those cases the buyer commonly handles collection (including free towing), processes required deregistration or transfer paperwork, and settles any outstanding admin with the owner and the insurer where relevant. Selling can be especially practical when repair timelines are long, the vehicle is non-running, or when the owner prefers a quick resolution rather than arranging repairs.

For an overview of services that collect vehicles nationwide and handle post-sale admin, see the Sell Damaged Cars page: Sell Damaged Cars. If your car no longer runs after the accident, the Sell Non-Running Car page explains options for non-starters and tow logistics: Sell Non-Running Car.

Common post-collection steps

• Buyer finalises transfer/deregistration documents and confirms settlement details.
• You receive copies of transfer/deregistration documentation - retain these for your records.
• If you submitted an insurer claim, inform the insurer of the sale and provide transfer confirmation to avoid future liability.

Sources

• Road Accident Fund (RAF) - official South African resource on claims for accident-related injuries
• South African Police Service (SAPS) - guidance on reporting road accidents
• Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) - consumer information on insurance and regulatory rules in South Africa
• Ombudsman for Short-term Insurance - complaints, disputes and guidance for policyholders

This guide covers typical steps and practical considerations for filing an insurance claim after an accident in South Africa. Figures and repair ranges are illustrative and will vary by make, model and region. When in doubt, keep thorough records, ask your insurer for written clarification and consider specialist buyer options if repair is impractical.

For a broad overview of services and how they operate across South African metros and regions, our homepage describes nationwide collection and paperwork handling in more detail: Sell Your Damaged Car - nationwide service overview.