Accidents have this nasty habit to surprise you when you least expect it. One moment you’re cruising through a quiet little suburb, singing along to your favourite song on repeat, the next moment all hell breaks loose and you find yourself uttering a few unmentionable words along the side of the road, next to your bruised and broken 4-wheeled ‘baby’.
It’s normal to experience shock, denial and disbelief after being in a road accident. “In most car crashes, the traumatic event happens unexpectedly, so you may feel you were unprepared for it or powerless to stop it,” as stated on Canstar, a financial comparison site in New Zealand.
Shock is not a choice, but reaction is. You can either make a trip to your nearest police station and stand in a queue with a higher risk of bridging social distancing measures or report the accident online in the safety of your own home. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s wise to choose the second option. Limiting your exposure to other people is highly recommended, at least for the time being until a vaccine has been developed and available to properly tread and cure this dreaded virus.
What type of crash can you report online?
“You can only report minor damage road crashes. If you indicate that there were injuries or fatalities, you will not be able to proceed with the transaction. Please go to your nearest SAPS station,” states the National Traffic Information System of South Africa (NaTIS).
Where can I report a crash?
According to the NaTIS website, in the event of “minor damages, you can report a crash online via the NaTIS public online service” but when there has been “injuries or fatalities - your nearest SAPS station” should be visited. When visiting a police station, don’t forget to still wear your mask and stick to social distancing guidelines as you would in any other public space.
Steps to report accidents online:
- Visit the NaTIS website here.
- Click/tap on the “report a motor vehicle crash” icon on the upper right-hand side of the website’s home page.
- Read the Terms and Conditions.
- Complete the requested information fields and click/tap on the “Accept & Continue” button.
- Fill in the driver details and follow the instructions provided thereafter.
- When you have completed and submitted the online accident report, you will be issued a submission receipt with a Crash Report (CR) number, which should be kept as proof to claim from your insurer for damages.
Remember that you need to report a crash within 24-hours from occurring. If you do not report an accident within this timeframe, you will be charged with a fine when you submit a report thereafter.
If you experience problems with the online reporting process or have any questions in this regard, you are welcome to contact NaTIS via email at onlinesupport@rtmc.co.za or on 0861 400 800 to assist.
Please stay safe and vigilant on the roads and remember to mentally prepare for the unexpected by signing up for car insurance if you have not yet done so. To Name Your Price™ and for a quick online quote from dotsure.co.za, click/tap here.
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