Damage Report Form Car – Complete Guide to Filling It Out (2026)

A damage report form after a collision may feel like "paperwork" when your heart rate is still high, but it is often the most important thing you do to ensure a tidy and quick handling by the insurance company. Below you will find a practical, updated guide (2026) on what you should do at the scene, what must be included in the form, and which typical mistakes create unnecessary delays.

Before You Fill It Out: What To Do at the Accident Scene

Always start with safety and overview. Before you begin discussing damage or blame, do the following:

• Secure the scene: Turn on hazard lights, put on a reflective vest, and set up a warning triangle when possible.
• Check for personal injury and call 113 if needed.
• Move vehicles if it is safe and necessary for traffic flow (take photos first when you can).
• Contact the police in case of personal injury, disagreement, suspicion of intoxication, aggressive behavior, or if someone flees the scene. See advice at The Police and information on reporting at The Police - reporting.
• Document: Photos of the vehicles, damages, road/surface, signs/light regulations, brake marks, and overview images from multiple angles.

For general advice on what to do in case of a traffic accident, see Safe Traffic.

What is a Damage Report Form – and Why "Facts" are Key

The damage report form (often called the “European damage report”) is used to describe sequence of events and documentation. The most important thing is that you agree on what can be verified: time, place, vehicle, damages, sketch, and which boxes are checked.

Important: Avoid writing "I take the blame" or "the other party was to blame" in free text. Insurance companies assess liability based on information, traffic laws, and documentation. Stick to observable facts.

How to Fill Out the Damage Report Form – Step by Step

1) Date, Time, and Place

Enter the exact time and correct location (road, direction, nearest intersection/exit). This makes it easier to understand the traffic picture, especially at traffic lights and roundabouts.

2) The Parties (You and the Other Party)

• Name, address, and phone number of the driver and owner (may be different people).
• Registration number and car model.
• Insurance company and policy number (often found in app/contract documents).

Tip: Ask to see the driver's license and vehicle registration – and take a photo (with consent) to avoid typos.

3) Damages and Visible Impact Points

Clearly indicate where the car is damaged (front/back/right/left). Take close-ups and overview photos. Small scratches may later turn out to be broken mounts or sensor damages.

4) Witnesses

Note the names and phone numbers of witnesses. Independent witnesses can be crucial if the parties explain differently.

5) Sketch and Sequence of Events

The sketch is often the part the case handler spends the most time on. Draw:

• road markings, lanes, yield/stop signs, traffic signals
• arrow for driving direction and position at the collision
• names of roads or landmarks

Keep the explanation concise and precise in the free text field: “Car A changed lane from right to left, Car B continued straight in the left lane.”

6) Checkboxes (the “12 Points”)

Tick the correct box(es) for each car. These points describe typical situations such as parking, lane change, reversing, and turning. A common mistake is that both parties check off “changed lane” when it doesn’t apply. Ask yourselves: what maneuver did the car make in the seconds before the collision?

Digital Filling and Signing – How to Avoid Double Work

In 2026, many expect that this can be solved on mobile. With DamageReporters.no, you can fill out the same damage report form together with the other party, ensure the information is correct along the way, and sign digitally. The result will be a shared version that is easy to share and ready for submission to the insurance company – especially useful when you are at the scene and want to finish while everything is fresh.

Attachments to Make the Case Easier (and Often Faster)

Attach as much relevant documentation as possible already at submission:

• Photos/videos from the scene and of damages
• Witness information
• Police reference number if the police are involved
• Any dashcam footage (make a copy, do not edit)

Insurance, Deductible, and Bonuses – What You Need to Know

How the settlement will be depends on both the allocation of liability and the coverage you have (liability/partial/full). Deductible and bonus loss vary between companies and agreements, and can also be affected by whether you are upheld in the liability assessment. Therefore, good documentation is important.

Note: Terms and practices may vary between insurance companies, so always check your terms or ask the company what applies in your case.

Typical Mistakes in the Damage Report Form (and How to Avoid Them)

• Illegible or incomplete info: Check phone number, registration number, and policy number before signing.
• Missing sketch: Take one extra minute – it can save days later.
• Too much "storytelling": Stick to the facts, not assumptions.
• No photos: Take photos even if the damage seems minor.
• Signing without agreeing on the content: Review everything together before you sign.

What If the Other Party Refuses to Fill It Out or Leaves the Scene?

If the other party does not want to cooperate, fill out what you can yourself, take thorough documentation, and note the registration number. In cases of suspicious behavior, threats, or suspicion of intoxication, contact the police. See The Police's Traffic Advice for guidance on when the police should be involved.

Checklist Before Submitting

• All fields for both cars are correctly filled out
• The checkboxes correspond with the sketch
• Photos and witnesses have been attached/noted
• Both parties have read through and signed

When the damage report is clear, complete, and signed by both, it becomes easier for the insurance company to process the case without extra rounds. And if you want to do it quickly and neatly on mobile, DamageReporters.no is designed precisely to fill out together, sign digitally, and share a common version - ready for submission.