Car accidents are unpredictable, correct behaviour at the site of an accident helps you and others to keep damage to a minimum.

At the Scene

1. Stay calm and avoid discussing the issue of liability with the counterpart driver.
2. Call for police and ambulance service at once if body injury is involved. Wait for the police to record the details of accident.
3. If possible, photos recording at the scene might help for liability and claiming purpose. And if no one is inquired, move your vehicle to the roadside or other safe location to avoid obstruction of traffic. Then exchange your contact details with the counterpart driver; You can also consider reporting the case to police station nearby within 24 hours.

Obtain Important Details from the Counterpart Driver

4. In accordance with the Road Traffic Ordinance, you shall record the date, time and following information after a traffic accident: The counterpart driver's name and address, his/her driving license number, car registration number, car owner's name and address, name of his/her insurer and insurance policy or certificate number
5. In case of minor accidents, you may make a settlement with the third party. However, your right of claim may be forfeited by doing so. < Sample of Mutual Release and Settlement Agreement for a Traffic Accident >
6. Draft the accident scene layout. Record the weather and on-site conditions (Photos recording might help as well).

Report the accident and follow-up

7. Inform your insurer of the accident immediately and fill out accident report form.
8. Report to the police within 10 days of the accident if you need to complain any party for his/her driving offence the Road Traffic Ordinance.
9. If you have a comprehensive insurance policy and plan to claim for loss, you should submit the relevant service quotation and obtain approval in advance from your insurer before the car repairing is commenced.
10. Communication with the police or any related parties shall be reported to your insurer as soon as possible.

Should your vehicle be damaged in an accident, we want to help and ensure that you have access to a repair facility that meets not only our high standards for workmanship, integrity and safety, but your standards as well. Dah Chong Hong (Motor Service Centre) Limited is your one stop solution on maintenance and servicing, body repairing, painting, upgrading, grooming and getting advice on insurance issues. The premium quality guaranteed through highly skilled professionals, our fully trained authorized specialists and technicians are certified by EMSD. Based on the comprehensive checklist and working procedure, along with specialized and diagnostic equipment, we ensure your vehicle is well maintained with guaranteed outstanding performance, durable, safe, and efficient.

Actions to be taken following the failure of settlement

1. Inform your insurer of the accident at your earliest convenience
2. Within 10 days after the accident, lodge a complaint with the police against the offending driver
3. Request from police the offending driver's name, address, name of insurer and relevant policy number for claiming purpose (such information is partly available at the Transport Department)
4. Post a letter to the offending driver to notify him/her of your decision of claim
5. Obtain your repair quotation from Dah Chong Hong (Motor Service Centre) Limited
6. Dah Chong Hong (Motor Service Centre) Limited to gather documents required for claim processing from owner before contacting the insurer
7. Insurer to arrange an appointed surveyor to Dah Chong Hong (Motor Service Centre) Limited for inspection and validation of service fee; spot approval after assessment may be given [ Handling of car damage in case not repairing by Dah Chong Hong (Motor Service Centre) Limited
   • Prior to any car repairing, appoint a loss surveyor/adjuster for inspection and validation of service fee
   • Keep a due copy of the:
     • Surveyor report and invoice
     • Service invoice
     • Proof of the number of service days (for claiming purpose)
     • Car rental documents and receipts (if any)
     • Taxi fare receipts (if any) ]
8. An investigation report or prosecution/conviction documents will be available once the Police has finished with its investigation
9. Claim Application
   • You may procure claim assistance from "Claim for third party recovery" agents (i.e. surveyor)
   • Alternatively, you may claim by yourself via posting to the car owner/driver and his/her insurer respectively a set of relevant documents including a copy of surveyor reports, service invoice, proof of the number of service days, vehicle registration document, prosecution/ conviction documents and claim letter
10. Insurer to sign off the “Satisfaction Form”, Dah Chong Hong (Motor Service Centre) Limited to proceed with the car repair after obtaining approval from insurer
11. Car owner to sign off the “Satisfaction Form” after completion of repair
12. Dah Chong Hong (Motor Service Centre) Limited to receive “Excess” and/or “Depreciation” cost from car owner
13. Dah Chong Hong (Motor Service Centre) Limited to receive payment from insurer

Please note : Do not carry out any maintenance work before the approval of insurer

• Report the case to the police within 24 hours to ensure the case is filed (including valid insurance documents)
• File the Claim Form (from your insurer)
• Submit the original copy of Claim Form to your insurer, together with a copy of the following documents:
  1. Vehicle registration document (both front and back pages)
  2. Driver's HKID card and driving license
  3. Driver's Breath Screening Test Report, if any
  4. Supporting documents for over 2 years' driving experience
  5. Official police documents, including testimony
• Lodge a complaint against the other party with the Police shall be made within 10 days after the accident
• Never make or accept any settlement as an admission or discharge of any Liability. Your right of claim could be forfeited by doing so

• Record the third party’s car registration number
• Request the third party’s HKID number, name, contact phone number and correspondence address
• Report the accident to police as soon as possible and make sure the case is filed

Note: You should submit the relevant service quotation and obtain approval in advance from your insurer before the car repairing is commenced.

• Drunk driving
• Drug driving
• Misrepresentation in insurance policy application
• A plea of guilty at court without prior noticing your insurer
• Failure to file all the copies of relevant document and record, issued by the Police Department within a pre-stated deadline
• Failure to file the Accident Report Form to your insurer
• Without prior notice with your insurer, to make or accept any settlement as an admission or discharge of any liability
• Accidents caused by wear and tear of car parts (e.g. brake failure, bald tyre, etc.)