Dos and Dont's following an Accident
The Motor Claims Framework (MCF) provides the following clear and common procedures for the reporting of motor accidents:
Do's
STEPS TO TAKE AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT
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Exchange Particulars of Parties Involved in the Accident and take note of the vehicle numbers
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Take photos of the scene of the accident and the damages to all vehicles
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Call Your Insurer's Hotline for a Tow-Truck or further advice on the accident
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Report the accident to your Insurer within 24 Hours or by the next working day
If you do not report an accident:
- Your insurer may repudiate liability
- Your No-Claims Discount may be docked upon the renewal of your policy;
- Your insurer may cancel or refuse to renew your policy. -
If there are injured parties in an accident, call for medical assistance and the police immediately.
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Make a Traffic Police report as soon as possible or within 24 hours of the accident if the accident involves:
- Fatality;
- Damage to government property;
- Foreign vehicle;
- Pedestrian or cyclist;
- Hit-and-run case; or
- Injury cases where
(a) at least one person involved in the accident was taken to hospital from the accident scene by an ambulance/self-conveyed or
(b) any party involved in the accident was injured and obtained outpatient medical leave for 3 days or more. -
Filing a Traffic Police report is not equivalent to making a report to your insurer. Please note that after filing a Traffic Police report, you are also required to report to your insurer within 24 working hours or by the next working day.
If you do not report an accident,
- Your insurer may repudiate liability;
- Your No-Claims Discount may be docked upon the renewal of your policy; and
- Your insurer may cancel or refuse to renew your policy.
Dont's
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Do not move your vehicle before taking photographs of the accident scene.
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If someone is injured or there has been a fatal accident, please do not attempt to move the injured person or vehicle(s).
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Under the MCF, motorists are strongly advised not to have any dealings with unauthorised tow-truck operators at the scene of accident.
Myinfo Reporting
With effect from 31 Jul 2024, vehicle owners and drivers are able to experience an improved and accelerated motor accident reporting process:
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Authenticate identity securely and easily via Singpass
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Retrieve accurate personal data from Myinfo for seamless incorporation into the accident report
Regardless of location, driver or owner can initiate an accident report:
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Authenticate identity via Singpass – to allow retrieval of personal and/or vehicle particulars via Myinfo for reporting purpose.
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Submit accident scene photos and video
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Accident Reporting Centres (ARCs) will assist in completion of the reporting
What do vehicle owners and drivers need to do?
Vehicle owners and drivers can initiate an accident report either before going down to an accident reporting centre (ARC) or at the ARC.
Here are the steps:
Initiate accident report BEFORE going down to the ARC
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Authenticate identity using Singpass
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Select profile:
I am both the driver and owner of the vehicle
I am only the driver
I am only the owner -
After auto-population of Myinfo data, fill in the additional required information. Submit your accident report. After you have done so, you will receive an email with the Accident Report Number that you will need to provide to the ARC.
Next steps (At the ARC)
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Provide your Accident Report Number and the Vehicle Registration Number to the ARC. The Accident Report Number can be found
- On the GEARS Myinfo Reporting website when connected through Singpass
- In the email sent to you upon submission of the partial report -
The ARC will assist you to complete and submit the final Accident Report.
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After the report is submitted, you will receive a copy of the report by email.
Initiate accident report AT the ARC
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Provide your profile to the ARC:
- I am both the driver and owner of the vehicle
- I am only the driver
- I am only the owner -
When requested by the ARC, scan the Singpass QR Code displayed on the ARC’s PC. Myinfo data corresponding to the selected profile will be auto-populated into the accident report.
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The ARC will assist you to complete and submit the final Accident Report.
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After the report is submitted, you will receive a copy of the report by email.
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In the event:
i) owner and driver are different, and both are present at ARC, driver is to scan QR code.
ii) only corporate owner is present at ARC, accident report has to be filed manually
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The driver has initiated an accident report at the accident scene. Does this mean that the driver is not required to visit an ARC to file an accident report?
The driver can connect to the Myinfo reporting website anytime, anywhere, and retrieve his / her information from SingPass and initiate an accident report. However, this is not completed. Driver will receive an email with the Accident Report Number that he / she will need to provide to the ARC. The ARC will use this number to pick up the accident report from GEARS, fill in the rest of the required information, and submit as a complete Accident Report. -
The driver has initiated an accident report at the accident scene. Does this constitute reporting under the GIA Motor Claims Framework (MCF)?
Submission of a GEARS Online Accident Notification does NOT constitute reporting under the GIA Motor Claims Framework (MCF). Failure to do so within the stipulated timeframe may impact your claim and/or policy renewal terms. -
What about the foreign workers? Do they also have Myinfo?
As long as the Driver has SingPass / Myinfo account, he / she can use Myinfo reporting.
Please refer to Myinfo website for the eligibility: https://www.singpass.gov.sg/myinfobusiness/eligibility -
The driver will need to take photos showing the damage to the vehicle. Is this correct?
Yes, this is correct, and the photos can be uploaded via Myinfo reporting. -
Is the use of Myinfo reporting compulsory?
Myinfo reporting will be the default reporting process going forward. This has benefits to the owner/driver such as shorter waiting times at the ARCs.
FAQs
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How can you make sure your workshop is not charging more than it should?
You are advised that following an accident, you should go to an authorised workshop of your insurer for repairs (even if you are claiming against the other party).You are strongly advised not to have any dealings with unauthorised tow-truck operators at the scene of accident. You are also advised not to send your damaged vehicle to any unauthorised repair workshop to avoid complications of your claim.
Please exercise caution when signing any documents you are presented with.
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What to do in the event of an accident outside Singapore?
You should make a report at the nearest Police Station in the country the accident occurred. If you require advice and assistance, please call your insurance company. -
Do I need to report an accident if a private settlement is made?
Yes, always report all accidents to your insurer even if you have made a private settlement. This is for recording purposes because you cannot be fully certain that the other party will not file a claim against you later. By not reporting the accident, your claim may be prejudiced or declined later by insurers. -
What do I need to do if I would like to use my private car to ferry passengers for a fee?
You should approach insurers to expand their motor policy to cover “hire and reward” usage.