A crash — even a low-speed one in a Hamilton car park — is a jolt, and it is easy to forget the basics in the moment. Keep this simple sequence in mind and you will stay safe, protect yourself, and make the repair and any insurance claim far smoother.

1. Stop and make the scene safe

By law in New Zealand you must stop if you are involved in a crash. Switch on your hazard lights, and if the vehicles are drivable and blocking traffic, move them to the side of the road. On a busy stretch like Wairere Drive or the expressway, getting clear of live lanes is the priority.

2. Check for injuries — call 111 if needed

Check yourself and everyone else for injuries before anything else. If anyone is hurt, or a vehicle is badly blocking the road, call 111 straight away. For a non-emergency traffic incident you can call *555 from a mobile. Do not move a seriously injured person unless they are in immediate danger.

Adrenaline hides injuries. Whiplash and soft-tissue pain often show up hours or a day later. If you feel any neck, back or head symptoms afterwards, see a doctor — and mention it early, as it can matter for an ACC or insurance claim.

3. Swap details with the other driver

Exchange the information you will need for a claim. Collect:

  • Full name, phone number and address of the other driver.
  • Their vehicle registration, make, model and colour.
  • Their insurer's name, if they will share it.

Stay calm and factual, and avoid admitting fault or arguing at the roadside — who is liable is for the insurers to determine, and an off-the-cuff apology can complicate things later.

4. Photograph everything

Your phone is your best evidence. Take clear photos of:

  • Damage to both vehicles, from a few angles.
  • The wider scene — road position, skid marks, signs and signals.
  • The other vehicle's number plate and, if relevant, the road conditions.

Note the date, time and exact location, and grab the name and number of any witnesses. If it was a non-fault accident, this evidence is what gets your excess refunded quickly.

5. Know your reporting duties

If anyone is injured, you must report the crash to the Police as soon as you reasonably can — and within 24 hours. If it is property damage only and you cannot exchange details with the other party (for example, you hit a parked car and the owner is not around), you are required to report it promptly too. When in doubt, report it.

6. Call your repairer — remember, the choice is yours

Here is the part many drivers miss: in New Zealand you choose who repairs your car, even if your insurer suggests one of their "preferred" shops. Calling a trusted local repairer first is often the smart move — a good workshop will assess the damage, tell you honestly whether it is worth claiming, and handle the insurer paperwork for you.

We explain your rights in full in our guide to choosing your own panel beater for an NZ insurance claim.

7. Get your car assessed and repaired

Once you are safe and the details are recorded, bring the vehicle in — or email us a few photos — for a free assessment. We manage insurance repairs for all major NZ insurers end to end: documenting the damage, liaising with the assessor, ordering parts and restoring your car to its pre-accident condition with a colour-matched finish.

Your roadside checklist: Stop & hazards on → check for injuries (111 if needed) → swap details → photograph everything → note witnesses → report if required → call your own repairer.

Had a knock around Hamilton or the wider Waikato? Get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote and we will tell you honestly what your car needs — and whether a claim is even worth it.

This article is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Reporting requirements and policy terms can change — always check the current NZ Police / NZTA guidance and your own policy wording for your specific situation.