A car accident abroad

Unfortunately, while travelling abroad, you may find yourself involved in a road accident involving your motor vehicle (car, caravan, motorhome, motorbike, etc.).
Redion's figures show that 8% of "vehicle assistance files" opened abroad involve accidents, with or without bodily injury.

What should you do in this case?
Who follows up the file and handles any compensation?
What should you do if the other party isn't insured?

We briefly describe the procedure below.

An accident abroad involving bodily injury

Alert the emergency services (ambulance, fire brigade if necessary) and the police. The list of emergency numbers abroad can be found here.
After any admission to a local hospital, contact your assistance company (and your health insurer) as soon as possible.

An accident abroad involving damage to the vehicle

• Contact your assistance company as soon as possible. Are you a Redion customer? If so, click here to see the procedure to follow.
• Fill in the European Accident Statement together with the other party. The format of this statement is the same in every European country. So you can follow the order of the sections in your own document (in your own language), even if the other party fills in the statement in a foreign language. Hand the statement to your insurer as soon as possible. If you can't hand it over in person, send it by registered letter. Take photos of the damage. Also note down the contact details of any witnesses. Keep a copy, along with proof of any expenses that may be reimbursed later.
• Your insurance will step in to reimburse costs. Reimbursement will depend on the type of insurance you have (comprehensive, third-party liability) and will take into account the liability of both parties involved. In the event of a dispute, and if the other party is at fault, you can also call on your legal protection insurance (if you have taken it out). Your broker can of course assist you with all the necessary steps.

What should you do if the other party isn't insured?

Third-party liability insurance is mandatory in every European country. If the other party is not insured, you should in any case have a police report (official report) drawn up, including statements from both parties. The other party will need to declare that they are not insured. Send a copy of the police report to your insurer. Compensation will depend on the terms of the insurance policies you have taken out (comprehensive, third-party liability, legal protection).

If the other party isn't insured and your insurer can't step in, you can also submit a claim to the Belgian Common Guarantee Fund (FCGB): https://www.fcgb-bgwf.be/. This also applies if the accident took place in a European country.
The fund steps in for damage caused by a motor vehicle in very specific cases (uninsured vehicle, unidentified vehicle, stolen vehicle, accidental events, etc.)
A claim only makes sense if you are in the right. After reviewing the file, the fund will step in according to the legal terms of the compulsory motor insurance in the country where the accident took place.
A claim to the FCGB can also be filed on your behalf by your legal protection insurer.

Also read:
- How should you react in a road accident?
- Redion's mobile app for a medical or technical problem
- Your car's new insurance card
- The most common car breakdowns