United Kingdom · Practical guide
What details to exchange after a car accident in the UK
Exchanging details, notifying your insurer and reporting to the authorities are separate tasks. This guide helps you organise the information shared between drivers; it does not submit an official accident report.
Record known facts and check differences before signing. Immediate danger or injury calls for help before documentation.
1. Record the place and time
Use the actual date, time and location of the accident. Check the country, street and town before continuing: the event location determines the document layout. Only add information about injuries or witnesses that you know.
2. Keep vehicle A and B separate
Agree which vehicle is A and which is B and use that assignment throughout. Record vehicle, driver and policyholder details separately; these may be different people. Check the policy number against the insurance document rather than guessing.
3. Describe the circumstances
Complete the circumstances for each vehicle. Describe what you observed, the movements and directions. Avoid conclusions about fault. Use a sketch to clarify positions, keeping A and B consistent with the rest of the record.
4. Review both sides
The other person can join through an invitation link or QR code. You can also share one phone. Read both sides back and flag mistakes during review. Discuss differences before either person signs.
5. Sign the checked version
Check names, plates, insurance details, location, circumstances and sketch again. Each participant should review their own information. A signature should not be used to skip an unresolved difference about the facts.
6. Keep the PDF
Download the PDF and check that it is readable. Save your own copy and ask your insurer which supporting documents and submission channel they need. The tool does not automatically file a claim or send the record to an insurer.
Exchange details before preparing a claim
GOV.UK explains the duties following an accident and the distinction between exchanging information and reporting. Gather names, contact information, vehicle registration and insurance details that are relevant to your situation. Use the official guidance for reporting duties rather than treating this record as a completed notification.
An A4 record, not a police filing
Crashform produces an A4 record of exchanged details. The document is independent of police and insurer systems. Check the date, time, location and both vehicles before saving it. Creating or signing a PDF does not mean you have notified the police or your insurer.
Licence, registration and evidence
Check names against the information each driver supplies, and keep the registration attached to the correct vehicle. Describe what you observed and use a sketch for positions and direction. Keep any separate evidence safely; photo upload and automatic insurer submission are not part of this tool.
DEMO
Read the example
In the fictional example, two vehicles make contact while parking. Find A and B in the PDF. Compare names, plates, date and location with the description. Then check whether the sketch and selected circumstances tell a consistent story. The DEMO document contains no real signatures and is not intended for submission.
View sample PDF ↗Check before signing
- Registration plate and vehicle details
- Insurance certificate or policy number
- Driving licence and contact details
- Date, time and location of the accident
- Description, sketch and any witnesses
Preparing a document is separate from filing a claim. Crashform does not decide liability or guarantee acceptance by every insurer.
Sources and next steps
Local sources consulted on 8 October 2026. This guide describes our tool; it is not an insurer review or endorsement. Follow current instructions from your insurer and the relevant authorities.