The driver involved notifies the insurer within three working days.

They preserve the damaged vehicle or property in its post-accident condition until the insurer’s representative inspects it — up to 10 working days from notification. The insurer draws up an inspection report and has the claimant sign it. If the inspection fails to happen through the insurer’s fault, you may go ahead and repair the car, keeping proof of what you spent and, ideally, an independent assessment.

The injured party or their representative submits a written claim: within one year for material damage, within three years for injury or loss of life.

Certified copies to attach to the claim: passport or other identity document of the claimant; tax number certificate; the document establishing the right to receive payment (lease, power of attorney, certificate of inheritance); proof of ownership of the damaged property; documents supporting recovery or towing costs; bank account details (IBAN); the accident documents drawn up by the police or the Europrotocol; any court judgment that has taken legal effect; identification documents of the company if the claimant is a legal entity; and documents evidencing what was actually spent on repairing the vehicle or property, or on treating the injured person, where those costs are being claimed.

If the insurer has not told the claimant within 30 days that documents are missing or incomplete, the claimant is deemed to have done everything required. The insurer then has 60 calendar days from receipt of the claim to decide. That clock pauses if the insurer requests missing documents. Where the circumstances are complex and the insurer needs expert examination, the deadline extends until those results arrive, but never beyond 90 calendar days from receipt of the claim.