You Had An Accident In A Company Car–Now What?

If you’ve ever driven or are currently driving a company vehicle, you know the anxiety that can come with it. For most, driving a company vehicle results in driving that is more cautious than it might be otherwise. After all, if anything happens to the vehicle under your watch, the burdens of dealing with a company car begin to far outweigh the benefits.

That said, accidents do happen, and the best way to handle them is to prepare for them. Here are a few things to do if you are in an accident in a company vehicle:

1. Move your car. If you are able, move your car to a safe location, but do not leave the scene. You are doing this to prevent more accidents involving oncoming traffic.
2. Call 911. See if anyone is hurt, and call 911. In additional to medical attention, you’ll also need a police officer present to report the accident.
3. Exchange information. Exchange all necessary contact and insurance information from all parties involved in the accident, as well as any nearby witnesses.
4. Take photos. Be sure to take photos of the scene and of any damages to either car.
5. Contact your insurance provider. But first, contact your employer to alert them of the situation, so that they can best assist you in filing a claim under the company policy.

If the car is insured, it will likely be covered under the company’s business auto policy. However, the responsible party will be required to pay for any injuries or damages that might not be covered under the insurance policy. Although employers are typically viewed as responsible for their employee’s actions in company cars, exceptions can be made if the car was not being used for work-related tasks or was used for personal use.

As we said before, the best way to handle an accident in your company or your personal vehicle is to prepare for it. And the best way to prepare is by setting up a consultation with your local insurance agency.