Minibus Club Article Archive

Nobody wants to be in accident but sometimes it is unavoidable. When driving a minibus the first concern should be for your passengers’ safety.

Assess your passengers. If any are injured do not move them unless there is an immediate risk from other vehicles or fire. If the minibus must be vacated move the passengers to a safe location as far from the vehicle as possible. Be aware of approaching traffic when exiting the minibus.

If there are any injuries or the road has been blocked or damaged by the accident, call the emergency services immediately.

To help with any minibus insurance or legal claims that might follow collect the following information:

1) Driver details
Collect the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the other drivers involved in the accident. Try to obtain the name of their insurance company and policy number. If you have any suspicions that they may not be telling the truth, it is worth noting a short description of the driver and any distinguishing features.

It is the law that drivers exchange details after an accident. If a driver fails to stop or refuses to give their details, notify the police immediately.

It is advisable to keep details of your minibus insurance in your vehicle to give to the other drivers.

2) Vehicle details
Gather as much information about the vehicles involved as possible. This will include registration, make, model, colour and any modifications that have been made to the vehicles.

3) Time and date of the incident

4) Driving conditions
Note what the weather was at the time of the accident. Include information about visibility and road condition.

If it was dark record details of the lighting conditions including street lighting.

5) Damage
Make a detailed record of the damage to your minibus and to the other vehicles involved.

6) Injuries
Gather information about the injuries to your minibus passengers and anyone other persons involved in the accident. This may include pedestrians.

If a dog or farm animal has been injured you are required by law to report the incident to the police. This does not apply to cats or wild animals but check the animal is not injured or suffering.

7) Emergency Services
Record any details of the emergency services attending the scene. Request an accident report number from the attending police services.

8 ) Accident Scene
Take a photograph of the accident scene and draw a sketch of the vehicles positioning prior to and after the incident.

Make a note of the road type and any significant road markings, signs or obstructions such as a skip.

Record the estimated speed of the vehicles involved and whether headlights or indicators were being used.

You may not be able to record all this information at the time of the accident. In this case return to the scene as soon as possible, while the incident is still fresh in your memory.

Being involved in an accident is a stressful situation. But by staying calm and recording as much information as possible, it will assist your minibus insurance provider with any claims or legal disputes that may follow. To gather this information it is helpful to carry a pen, paper and disposable camera with you in your minibus.

Remember to inform your minibus insurance provider as soon as possible. Most good providers will have an advisor available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to assist you with your claim.

Article Resource
The Minibus Club is a specialist minibus insurance provider and has offered UK minibus insurance quotes since 1997. Visit their website to get a free quote for charity minibus insurance or call their hotline on 0845 609 0323. See how much you could save on your minibus insurance.

Every year insurance providers receive a variety of unusual claims, whether it’s car, motorcycle or minibus insurance. Many involve animals, trees, or inanimate objects.

This article reveals the ten most bizarre and obscure claims, all from genuine sources:

1. One motorist was in such a panic when a wasp flew into his car and up his trouser leg that he hit the accelerator; unfortunately, also hitting the car in front.

2. Cows can be a problem. In one particular instance, a driver claimed that the cow jumped onto his quad bike, presumably by accident rather than with the intention of driving away.

3. In another incident involving a cow the driver described his experience, “As I came over a hill, I hit a cow in the middle of the road, which then hit the bonnet and shattered the windscreen with its rear end”. Thankfully, the cow survived.

4. When driving close to a herd of cattle try to avoid their tongues. In a particularly bizarre insurance claim a motorist stated that the cows caused damage to his car’s paintwork by licking it.

5. Cows aren’t the only animal causing problems. A driver claimed that a reindeer fell onto the bonnet of his car. Thankfully it wasn’t at Christmas and the reindeer did not have a red nose.

6. When driving in Africa zebras can be difficult, especially if they intentionally collide with your car, as was the case with one claim.

7. Always secure your shopping bags when driving. One driver had the misfortune to find that a potato had fallen out of the bag and had become lodged under his brakes, rending them useless.

8. Bizarrely flying kebabs can be a hazard on the road. Apparently, a driver was rounding a bend when a frozen kebab flew out of his car, hitting a passing car and causing damage.

9. That’s not the only frozen item causing damage. Another motorist claimed, “A frozen squirrel fell out of a tree and crashed through the windscreen onto the passenger seat”.

10. If flashed at by a speed camera try to contain your anger. One motorist, fed up of being snapped by a speed camera, decided to take his revenge by driving into the post that it was attached to. Unfortunately, the post was stronger than expected, causing him to write off his motor.

Each of these incidents illustrates the importance of having adequate car, motorcycle or minibus insurance. After all, you can never predict when a reindeer might fall from the sky or an unhappy cow exacts her revenge.

Whether it is your own minibus or a hire vehicle it is useful to know what to do in the event of an accident. A claim on your minibus insurance is the usual outcome after an accident. This article outlines the information that needs to be gathered at the scene to prevent any dispute.

As a minibus driver the first consideration after an accident is to make the scene as safe as possible.

1. Switch your minibus hazard lights on. Use a warning triangle if available. Take great care when placing the triangle at least 50 metres away from the vehicle. Warning triangles should never be used on the motorway.

2. Assess your passengers. If any are injured do not move them unless there is an immediate risk from other vehicles or fire. If the minibus must be vacated move the passengers to a safe location as far from the vehicle as possible. Be aware of approaching traffic when exiting the minibus.

3. If needed call the emergency services immediately. Provide them with as much information as possible about the accident scene and any injured passengers. As the minibus driver you will be required to stay at the scene until they arrive.

4. Any injuries should be reported to the Police. Try to keep details of all vehicles and people involved in the accident.

5. If the accident is minor or does not involve other people, check there are no injuries to your passengers and your minibus is roadworthy before continuing with your journey.

When an accident is serious enough that an insurance claim may follow do not admit liability at the scene. As rude as it may seem, do not apologise. This can be interpreted as admitting liability. And do not offer any payment.

The law requires you to give any person who is affected by the accident your details. These should include your name, contact number and the name of you insurance provider. A specialist minibus insurance provider such as The Minibus Club will be able to advise you about this.

It is very important to record all details of an accident. Information should include:

1. Vehicles involved
Record the types of vehicles and their registration number. Obtain the details of the other people involved in the accident including their name, address, contact number, insurance details and policy number.

2. Accident scene
Include details about the weather, visibility and road condition. Estimate the speed of the vehicles prior to the accident. Record the location of the accident, the date and the time. If the police attend the scene then ask for an incident number.

3. Details of Witness
Ask for the name and contact details of any people who witnessed the accident.

The best advice if involved in an accident is to stay calm. Losing your temper, however angry you may feel, will not help an already difficult situation. As a minibus driver your first responsibility is to your passengers and their safety. By taking a controlled approach to the situation will prevent putting others at further risk. The details gathered at the scene of the accident will be valuable information for resolving any legal or minibus insurance issues that may follow.