What Photos Should You Take After a Car Accident for an Insurance Claim?

You've just had a car accident.

You're standing beside your vehicle, you're stressed, and you're probably not thinking about taking the perfect photographs.

But before everyone drives away, your phone can be one of the most useful tools you have.

Photographs can help document what happened, support your insurance claim and give your repairer a better initial understanding of the vehicle damage.

Here's what New Zealand drivers should consider photographing after an accident.

Safety Comes First

Before taking photographs, make sure everyone is safe.

Don't stand in the middle of a busy road or put yourself in danger just to get a photograph.

If anyone is injured or there is an emergency, call 111.

Your safety and the safety of everyone involved comes before documenting vehicle damage.

1. Take a Wide Photo of the Accident Scene

If it's safe to do so, start with wider photographs.

Try to capture:

• Where the vehicles are positioned
• The road
• Intersections
• Road markings
• Signs
• Surrounding area

These photographs can provide useful context about where the accident occurred.

2. Photograph Both Vehicles

Don't only photograph your own damaged car.

Take photographs showing both vehicles and, where possible, their positions following the accident.

Try taking photographs from several different angles.

3. Take Close-Ups of the Damage

Now move closer to your vehicle.

Take clear photographs of every damaged area.

This might include:

• Bumpers
• Doors
• Guards
• Bonnet
• Boot
• Headlights
• Tail lights
• Wheels
• Paint damage
• Dents
• Scratches
• Cracked or broken components

Take more photographs than you think you'll need.

4. Take a Wider Photo of Each Damaged Area

A very close photograph can show the damage clearly, but sometimes it's difficult to tell exactly where on the vehicle the damage is located.

Take both:

• A close-up photograph
• and
• A wider photograph showing the whole panel or side of the vehicle.

This can also be helpful when sending photographs to a panel beater for an initial repair enquiry.

5. Photograph the Other Vehicle's Registration

Make sure you record the other vehicle's registration number.

You should also exchange the relevant driver and insurance information.

For a minor accident, useful information to collect includes:

• Name
• Phone number
• Address
• Vehicle registration
• Insurance company

Don't rely on remembering these details later.

6. Don't Forget Damage That Isn't Obvious

Walk around your vehicle when it's safe to do so.

Sometimes the most obvious dent attracts all your attention and you don't notice damage somewhere else.

Check areas around the impact point and photograph anything that appears damaged.

7. Keep Your Original Photos

Don't immediately delete photographs just because you think they're unnecessary.

Keep the originals while your insurance claim is being processed.

Your insurer may ask you to provide photographs or other supporting information when assessing your claim.

Can Orewa Panel & Paint Give Me a Quote From Photos?

Photos are a great starting point.

You can send Orewa Panel & Paint photographs of your vehicle damage through our online quote enquiry form.

For the best initial assessment, we'd recommend sending:

• A photo showing the whole vehicle
• A wider photo showing the damaged area
• Close-up photos of the damage
• Photos from different angles

Depending on the damage, we may still need to physically inspect the vehicle before confirming exactly what repairs are required.

Damage underneath bumpers, panels and other components isn't always visible in photographs.

What Happens Next With an Insurance Claim?

If you're making an insurance claim, contact your insurer as soon as reasonably possible.

Have your policy information and photographs ready and explain what happened.

Your insurer will then advise you about the claims process under your policy.

Insurance repairs generally require approval from the insurer before repair work begins, so don't authorise work or assume a repair cost will be covered without speaking to your insurer first.

Accident Repairs in Orewa

If your vehicle has been damaged in an accident, Orewa Panel & Paint can help with:

• Insurance repairs
• Private accident repairs
• Panel beating
• Dent repairs
• Automotive spray painting
• Rust repairs
• Structural and WOF repairs

With more than 35 years of industry experience, we provide professional vehicle repairs for customers throughout Orewa and the Hibiscus Coast.

**Had an accident?**

Take some photos and send them to Orewa Panel & Paint through our online quote enquiry form.

We'll take a look at the damage and help you understand the next step.