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‘A picture speaks a thousand words’ says Budget Van Insurance


January 2007

In the season where severe weather warnings are most prevalent and the Highway’s Agency has announced that Britain’s roads are to be given safety star ratings in a bid to cut the number of accidents - Budget Van Insurance offers drivers guidance on what to do following an accident.  Steps like having a disposable camera in your vehicle can make the whole claims process much smoother.

There are a number of steps that motorists can take to ensure that in the unfortunate event of an accident, they remove themselves from further danger; that their vehicles are recovered and that they take as many details as they can to ensure that their insurance claims are handled as efficiently as possible. 

In the event of an accident, Budget Van Insurance advises drivers to follow the steps below:

  • Call the emergency services if there are any injuries, if the road is blocked or the other party does not stop or won’t exchange details.  If possible, it is best to do this yourself as accident control rooms can locate you via your mobile telephone signal.
  • If you are on a busy road get out of the car and move to a point of safety.
  • Where possible, take photographs of the accident scene – use your mobile or keep a disposable camera in your car.
  • If possible, take as many details from the third party and their passengers.  Take names, contact telephone numbers, vehicle registrations, insurance details (even if it is only the name of their insurer) and statements of what happened.
  • Get witness details as above.
  • Keep a pen and paper in the car and if possible draw a diagram of the accident scene.
  • Save your claims number to your mobile telephone at the point you receive your insurance documents
  • Call your insurer’s claims line who will assist you with:
    • The recovery of your car if it is not driveable.
    • Repairs to your vehicle.
  • If you have purchased a Motor Legal Protection Policy and the accident was not your fault then they will be able to appoint solicitors for any Personal Injury claim and help you recover your uninsured losses such as loss of income through injury.  They will also discuss the possibility of organising a hire car while your car is in for repair or being assessed as a Total Loss.
  • Make a note of any other details that you believe are important such as the driver of the other vehicle being on the telephone at the time of the accident. These may help progress your claim.

Matthew Gledhill, Managing Director, Budget Van Insurance said:

“We welcome the steps being taken by the Government to make our roads safer places for everybody.  Even the most vigilant drivers are caught off guard by hazardous driving conditions – especially in the winter months. 

“Some of these actions might seem obvious but unfortunately many of them slip drivers minds until it is too late.  With more bad weather likely in the coming months, we would urge drivers to drive safely and be aware of the steps above.  The winter months are our busiest time and when making an insurance claim, having these details can make all the difference in terms of how swiftly your claim is handled.”

For further information please contact:
Roland Cross/Nicola Pierce
Broadgate                                                                              020 7726 6111

Notes to Editors:

The BGL Group

The Budget Group of Companies was established in 1992 and has grown to be the UK’s third largest personal lines insurance intermediary, through a combination of organic growth and a series of major strategic acquisitions.

It now arranges and administers insurance for around 1.5 million, customers, has contact centre operations in Peterborough, Coventry, Sunderland and Cape Town, South Africa, and a number of websites, including – www.budgetvaninsurance.com.  It currently employs over 1500 people, and its head office is in Peterborough.

As an intermediary, Budget is able to access a wide range of underwriters, making it highly competitive in the marketplace.

Budget’s core products are motor, home, commercial vehicle and motorcycle insurance. The Group also offers a wide range of supplementary products, which include breakdown cover, legal protection, travel insurance and mortgage payment protection insurance.

In 2003, Budget launched Junction, its affinity arm, which provides insurance outsourcing services for major UK brands including Bradford & Bingley plc, Marks & Spencer Money, Debenhams and the Post Office.

Budget’s motorcycle division, Bennetts, is a leading player in the motorcycle insurance market. 

Budget is a trading style of BISL Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Registered Address: Pegasus House, Bakewell Road, Orton Southgate, PE2 6YS. Registered in England no 3231094