Minor accidents can happen to anyone. Small scratches on the bumper, light bumps in traffic, or accidental collisions while parking — these situations are unpleasant but not critical. Fortunately, there is no need to call the police to document them. With the help of the European protocol, drivers can independently record the incident, fill out a joint statement, and receive an insurance payout.
This is reported by Rivne24
What is the European Protocol and When Can It Be Used
The European protocol is a document that allows participants in a car accident to document the event without calling law enforcement. Drivers can fill out a paper form, but it is much more convenient to use the electronic service from the Motor (Transport) Insurance Bureau of Ukraine. This option is available for those who have decided to purchase car liability insurance online. Both options for documentation are very convenient.
The main advantage of the European protocol is the time saved. Drivers do not need to wait for the arrival of patrol officers, which helps avoid traffic jams. However, this method of documenting the incident can only be used under certain conditions:
- there are no injured parties in the accident;
- both drivers have valid liability insurance policies;
- there are no disputes regarding the circumstances of the accident and the party at fault.
If even one of these conditions is not met, it is necessary to call the police and document the accident according to the standard procedure. It is also important to check that each driver has a valid online insurance contract, which can be done in a few minutes in the MTIBU database. If one of the participants does not have insurance, the European protocol will be invalid, and compensation will have to be covered out of pocket.
How to Properly Fill Out the Electronic European Protocol Form
The European protocol is filled out on the MTIBU website. The main rule is to fill in all fields clearly, without abbreviations. It is necessary to indicate the exact date, time of the incident, identification codes of both drivers, and their vehicle numbers. It is also important to photograph the vehicles involved in the collision. If there are recordings from dash cameras, they should be attached to the statement.
Additionally, it is necessary to upload photos of both drivers’ licenses and vehicle registration certificates. Special attention should be paid to the accident diagram, which should be as clear as possible and include the directions of movement, the positions of the vehicles, traffic signs, and traffic lights, if present at the scene. After filling out, both drivers confirm the form, and an electronic copy of the European protocol is sent to the specified email addresses.
Common Mistakes Made by Drivers
Despite the simplicity of filling out the European protocol, some drivers may make mistakes that lead to the insurance company denying the payout. The most common mistake is incorrect or incomplete filling out of the form. Often, drivers skip important fields, inaccurately indicate the date, location, or direction of movement, or vaguely describe the damages. This can complicate the expert’s ability to reconstruct the circumstances of the event.
Another typical problem is the inconsistency of accounts between drivers. If even one of them disagrees with the wording in the protocol or the accident diagram, the document loses its legal force. Drivers also often forget that the European protocol can only be used when both parties have valid liability insurance policies. If one of the participants has an expired insurance policy, there will be no compensation.
Another common mistake is the lack of photographic evidence of the accident scene. Therefore, before leaving, be sure to take several photos of the vehicles, skid marks, traffic signs, and an overall view of the road. This can serve as crucial evidence in case the insurance company or the other participant tries to change their position.