Uber Crash and Claim: A Guide on How to Report Accidents

No one likes getting into an accident, least of all Uber drivers in the UK, as their car is their livelihood. Unfortunately, accidents are a frequent occupational hazard for drivers, especially Uber drivers, who are on the road more often than the average UK driver. Did you know that in 2024, there were over 100,000 collisions in the UK?

However, many drivers do not know what to do when an accident happens, some even assume that insurance will automatically take care of everything.

The first thing to do is to report the crash to Uber. In Uber Driver App:

Head to Safety Toolkit > I was in an accident.

Next, please let Uber know what happened. Check that you have selected the correct trip and share all available info here. An Uber team member will reach out to confirm everyone’s safety and gather any other required information.

Once you have done this, if you aren’t sure of who to contact first, what Uber covers, or how insurance claims work, keep reading.

This guide will discuss the steps you should take after an accident to get back on the road as fast as possible and avoid deactivation from the Uber platform. So, let's get right to it.

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What To Do Immediately After an Accident

You need to know what to do immediately after an accident, especially to avoid account deactivation, ensure the success of your insurance claim, and ensure the safety of your passengers.

Stop the Uber Once it is Safe to Do So

You need to stop your journey once you are in an accident. Regardless of whether it’s a minor scrape or if your passenger needs to get to their destination, you must stop your Uber. Don’t think about carrying on with your journey because you could be prosecuted under the road traffic legislation. Besides, if you are found guilty of this offence, you could receive a fine or be disqualified from driving.

That doesn't mean you should stop in the middle of the road. Instead, you should find a safe place that will not obstruct other drivers. However, this is easier said than done, so use a layby if there is one close by.

Stay Calm

You need to remain as calm as possible, especially because it is easy to forget what you need to do if you are agitated. Take some time to get yourself under control before you deal with the fallout from the accident. Once you are calm, turn on your hazard lights to ensure that other drivers are aware of the accident. If you have a warning triangle, you can place it metres behind your car.

Try not to lose your temper, as arguing with another driver could damage your reputation. Also, even if you think you are responsible for the accident, never apologize or admit that you are at fault at the scene of the accident, as this can cause you more problems down the insurance claims road.

Ensure Your Passengers Are Safe

Remember, the safety of your passengers should always be your top priority. Before checking on your Uber, make sure your passengers are safe. Check if they can exit the vehicle and move them to a safe place away from the road to prevent further accidents. If there are any injuries, don't move the injured person and call for medical assistance immediately.

Exchange Details

You need to exchange details with everyone involved in the accident, especially if there is damage or injury. However, if there is no damage or injury, you should take a record of that to avoid someone suing you later for it. Besides, you must exchange details like name, address, insurance information, and vehicle registration with the other driver.

In scenarios where the driver is not the registered vehicle owner, ensure that you ask for the owner's details. You should also take note of the witnesses to the accident if you need them for your insurance claims. Additionally, if you hit a stationary car, you need to ensure that you leave your details nearby to avoid any issues with the authorities.

Collect Accident Evidence

You need to collect important accident details to support your insurance claim, and some of the details worth collecting include:

Make, registration number, colour and model of all cars involved.
Time, date, location, and conditions of the accident.
Names and contact details of all accident witnesses.
Road signs and markings relevant to the accident.
Vehicles and property that were damaged by the accident.
List and photograph of injuries caused by the accident.
Circumstances leading up to the accident.
Statements made by people involved.
Police reference number if the police were at the scene.

Report to Police

If someone is injured or the other driver is not willing to share their details, you need to call the police to report the accident. You should also call them if the accident is blocking traffic or if you suspect that the other driver is intoxicated or uninsured. However, if no police come to the scene, you should still visit a police station within 24 hours to report the accident.

Call Personal Insurance Provider

Even though Uber provides coverage, you must call your PCO insurance provider once you've been in an accident, however minor you think it is. If you do not contact your insurance provider within the time set by your policy, you may void your coverage.

This can lead to you having to foot a large bill if a claim is made later. Additionally, your insurance provider will be able to provide you with crucial information you will need if you plan to make a claim.

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Report to Uber

Uber makes it very easy to report accidents through the Uber Driver App. All you need to do is tap on 'Safety and then Choose 'I was in an accident'. Also, you will need to fill in the details of the accident and upload any documents or pictures that you have.

You should note that Uber will temporarily deactivate your account until the case is resolved. Do not think of not informing Uber because of this, as failing to report an accident will cost you more in the long run.

If you fail to report an accident, you may not be covered by Uber's insurance, and you could be held personally liable for any damages or injuries.

Uber may also require additional details, like an official accident report, and if you need to repair your car, you may need to provide proof that your car is ready for the road.

Head over to Uber’s official UK insurance page and report the accident.

Understanding How Uber’s Insurance Coverage Works

One of the benefits of being an Uber driver is the insurance benefits; however, the insurance policy depends on your trip status at the time of the accident. If you are offline and not using the Uber App, your personal insurance only applies here.

But if you are on a trip with a passenger in the car, Uber's full commercial insurance, which covers both third-party and vehicle damage, will apply here.

However, the latter is only possible if you have comprehensive coverage.

On the other hand, if you are available and waiting for a ride request, Uber's limited liability coverage, which covers third-party liability but not vehicle damage, will apply. Additionally, Uber provides drivers involved in accidents with personal injury protection while on a trip.

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Understanding Insurance Claims

Now that you understand what you should do when you get into an accident, let's look at how insurance claims work to avoid making expensive mistakes.

There are two types of insurance claims you can make: a fault claim, for when you are responsible for the accident and a non-fault claim, when the other party is responsible and their insurer covers your damages.

However, in situations where who is responsible for the accident is not clear, insurers may dispute the claim, and this can lead to repair delays.

Most insurance providers offer protected No Claims Bonus (NCB) options to protect their customers against one or more claims. But if you make a fault claim, this will reduce your NCB, and you may have to pay higher premiums.

You should ensure that you have sufficient evidence and that you report the accident to Uber as soon as it happens, as failure to do any of these can result in your claim being denied.

If the other driver is uninsured, the uninsured driver's protection may still cover you if your policy includes it.

However, you can go through the Motors Insurers' Bureau to make a claim, as they usually compensate victims of uninsured drivers.

Wrapping It Up

Even though accidents happen, it is best to avoid them as much as possible, as the claims process is very stressful.

But if you find yourself in an accident, knowing how to handle the situation will save you time and money.

Plus, if you can, invest in a dashcam, as live video footage can help speed up the claims process.