What to do after a road accident in Trinidad & Tobago

CIBL Guides · Claims · July 2026

Nobody plans for an accident, and in the moment it's hard to think straight. Save this page — it's the calm checklist for when you need one. What you do in the first hour makes a real difference to how smoothly your insurance claim goes.

1. Stop and check for injuries

Stop immediately — leaving the scene of an accident is an offence. Check yourself, your passengers, and anyone else involved. If anyone is hurt, call 990 for ambulance and 999 for police right away.

2. Call the police

For anything beyond the most trivial bump, get the police involved — call 999 or go to the nearest station to make a report as soon as possible, ideally the same day. Insurers expect a police report for accident claims, and the report number will be one of the first things asked for. Note the station and the name/number of the officer who took your report.

3. Do not admit fault

Stay polite, but do not apologise, accept blame, or make promises to pay at the roadside — even if you think you were in the wrong. Fault is determined later from the evidence; roadside admissions can undermine your claim and may breach your policy conditions.

4. Exchange details

• Name, phone number, and address of the other driver(s)
• Vehicle registration number, make, model, and colour
• The other driver's insurance company and policy/certificate details
• Names and numbers of any witnesses — independent witnesses are gold

5. Photograph everything

Your phone is your best evidence tool. Before vehicles are moved (if it's safe), photograph:

• The overall scene from several angles, showing both vehicles' positions
• Damage to all vehicles, close up and from a distance
• The other vehicle's licence plate and insurance sticker
• Skid marks, debris, road signs, and anything about the road conditions

6. Call your broker

Notify us promptly — most policies require notification within a set number of days, and the sooner we start, the smoother it goes. This is where having a broker pays off: we handle the claim for you — the forms, the estimates, the follow-up with the insurer — instead of you chasing an insurance company on your own.

7. Gather your claim documents

Typically you'll need: the completed claim form (we provide it), the police report number, your driver's permit and ID, photos, repair estimates, and any witness statements. We'll tell you exactly what applies to your case.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Policy notification periods and claim requirements vary by insurer — your CIBL broker will confirm what applies to your policy.