Published · 6 min read
What to do after a car accident in Estonia? 10 steps for drivers in Tallinn
A practical guide for expats: what to do right after a car accident in Estonia, when to call the police, how to fill in the accident report form and file a claim.
A car accident is stressful even when nobody is hurt – and even more so in a foreign country where the forms and rules are unfamiliar. The following ten steps will help you do the right thing at the scene and save weeks in the insurance claims process (kahjukäsitlus) later.
1. Stop the car and make the scene safe
Switch on the hazard lights, put on a reflective vest and place the warning triangle (at least 25 m behind the car in built-up areas, 50 m on the highway). If anyone is injured, call 112 immediately.
2. When do you have to call the police?
Call the police if anyone is injured, the parties cannot agree on who is at fault, one party left the scene, you suspect drink-driving, or third-party property (e.g. a traffic sign or a fence) has been damaged and the owner is not present. If fault is clear and both drivers agree, the accident report form (teade liiklusõnnetusest) is enough.
3. Photograph everything
The position of the cars before they are moved, the damage close up and from a distance, number plates, the road surface, traffic signs, skid marks. Photos are the main evidence for the insurer later.
4. Fill in the accident report form
The paper form (teade liiklusõnnetusest) usually comes with the insurance policy kept in the car, but the same report can be filled in online at avarii.lkf.ee, the portal of the Estonian Motor Insurance Bureau (LKF). Draw the sketch, describe the damage and have both drivers sign it. Do not write anything on the form you are not sure about – and do not sign anything you do not understand.
5. Exchange details
Name, phone number, vehicle registration number and insurance company. If there are witnesses, ask for their contact details too.
6. Can the car be driven?
If the lights, wheels, brakes and steering work and the glass is intact, you can drive yourself. If in doubt – do not take the risk. Call us on +372 5343 8409; we will send a tow truck and bring the car to our guarded car park. For a motor liability claim, towing is reimbursed by the at-fault party’s insurer; comprehensive (kasko) policies usually include roadside assistance.
7. File the claim notice – or let us do it
You can submit the claim notice (kahjuteade) on your insurer’s website or directly with us: we fill in the claim form with you on site (direct claims handling, otsekäsitlus) and send it to the insurer. IIZI customers can submit the notice in our Kahjuabi portal.
8. Choose the repair shop – it is your right
Under the LKF code of good practice, the injured party has the right to choose a repair shop of their liking. The insurer may recommend a partner but cannot oblige you. The workshop that prepares the estimate is also responsible for the quality of the repair.
9. Ask for a courtesy car
If you are the injured party, a courtesy car (asendusauto) or its cost is generally reimbursed. With a kasko policy it depends on your contract. We provide a courtesy car for the duration of the repair and agree it with the insurer.
10. Keep all the documents
The accident report form, photos, correspondence with the insurer, the estimate and the repair authorization letter (garantiikiri) – all in one folder. From inspection to the start of the repair takes 3–4 weeks on average; we keep you informed at every stage.
Summary
Safety, photos, the report form, towing, the claim notice, choosing the repair shop. If anything is unclear, call us – we will tell you what to do, in English, even at night.
