Digital damage report on mobile how to do it on site

When an accident happens, it’s rare that you want to search for a crumpled paper form in the glove compartment. In 2025, most people expect this to be resolved on mobile – quickly, neatly, and without misunderstandings. A digital damage report gives you the opportunity to agree on the facts right then and there, get both parties' signatures, and have everything ready for the insurance company.

In this guide, we show you how to fill out a digital damage report on site, what is smart to document, and which pitfalls often create trouble afterwards.

Before you start, safety and calm first

The most important thing in the first minutes is always safety. Before you take out your mobile and start writing, do this:

• Check if anyone is injured and call 113 for personal injury.
• Secure the accident site with hazard lights and a warning triangle if necessary.
• Move the vehicle if it is possible and safe so that you don’t create dangerous situations or traffic jams.
• Call 112 in dangerous situations, disagreements that escalate, suspicion of intoxication, or if someone flees the scene.

For general advice on reporting and contacting the police, you can use the police's pages for reporting: Police – report. In acute situations, the emergency number still applies.

What is a digital damage report and why is it beneficial

A damage report (often called damage report form or European damage report) is the documentation that insurance companies use to process a claim. It describes, among other things:

• who was involved (drivers, owners, vehicles)
• time and place
• what happened (sequence of events)
• sketches, photos, and witnesses
• who states what

Digitally, you have some clear advantages:

• You fill out together while the situation is fresh, avoiding "two versions" afterwards.
• Fewer mistakes, because fields often guide you through the most important details.
• Digital signing makes it clear that both have approved the content.
• Easy to share with the insurance company and possibly a workshop.

At Skademeldinger.no, the point is just this: you can fill out the damage report with the other party, get a joint version you can both see, and sign digitally so that it is ready to be submitted to the insurance company.

This is how to do it on site step by step

1 Find ID and vehicle data

It goes much faster if you both have this ready:

• driver's license or other ID
• vehicle registration (digital or paper)
• insurance company and possibly policy number (if available)
• phone number and email

2 Document before you move details from memory

Even if you have moved the cars to a safe place, it is important to document the damage and the surroundings. Take pictures of:

• both cars in overview and close-ups of damages
• registration numbers on both vehicles
• road markings, signs, intersections, and visibility conditions
• brake marks, loose parts, and any obstacles
• time (the mobile usually stores metadata automatically)

Do you have a dashcam? Save the clip and ensure it isn’t overwritten. Feel free to ask for contact info from witnesses on site – short witness statements early can be invaluable in unclear fault situations.

3 Fill out together on mobile

The most robust way to do this is for both parties to participate in filling out. This way, you can resolve disagreements immediately and avoid anyone "forgetting" details.

At Skademeldinger.no, you can do this by having one start a damage report and invite the other party to the same case. Then you fill out the fields, check that everything is correct, and end up with one joint damage report.

4 Write the sequence of events briefly and clearly

Stick to the facts, and avoid speculation. A good sequence of events answers:

• where you came from and where you were going
• speed and maneuver (for example, “reversed out”, “changed lanes”, “stopped for a pedestrian”)
• what happened at the moment of collision

Important: Do not feel pressured to “admit fault” in free text if you are uncertain. Insurance companies often assess responsibility based on the whole context. At the same time: don’t embellish the story. Mistakes or deliberate omissions can create problems later.

5 Make a simple sketch

A sketch does not need to be artistic. It should show:

• driving direction for both vehicles
• lane/roadway, intersection, roundabout
• location at the time of the collision

6 Sign digitally when you agree

Digital signing is what makes you actually have a common, locked version. In practice, this means that both have reviewed and approved the content. At Skademeldinger.no, you sign digitally on your mobile, and the damage report can then be shared further.

When should you call the police and when is it sufficient with a damage report

In many minor dents, it suffices to exchange information and fill out a damage report. However, there are situations where the police should be contacted (or where it is especially important to document):

• Personal injury (call 113, and the police if needed).
• Suspicions of intoxication or dangerous behavior.
• Disagreement where the situation becomes unsafe.
• Hit and run (the other party leaves the scene).

For non-urgent cases, you can read more about how to report at politiet.no: Police – report. (Note that procedures may vary by type of case and severity.)

Common mistakes that create trouble afterwards

Waiting to fill out

“We’ll do it when we get home” sounds tempting, but often results in incomplete information, more misunderstandings, and a higher level of conflict. Rather fill out on site while you are both there.

Not taking enough photos

A couple of close-ups of a scratch is rarely enough. Take overview photos that show the context: where you were standing, which lane, and how the damage relates to the event.

Unclear or emotional wording

Keep the language neutral. Write “car A changed lanes from right to left” rather than “car A squeezed in”.

Involving private settlements without careful consideration

Some suggest “settling it privately”. This can work for very minor damages, but it is risky: hidden damages, disagreements about price, and lack of documentation are classics. If you first have a digital damage report with signatures, you are safer anyway – even if you end up going through insurance.

What happens next at the insurance company

Once the damage report has been submitted, the insurance company will assess liability, coverage, and the further process. This varies between companies and terms, but typically involves:

• contacting you for any clarifications
• choosing a workshop and assessment
• settlement directly with the workshop (common for comprehensive claims)
• evaluation of deductible and possibly bonus

Important about bonus and deductible: This is governed by your insurance agreement. Many experience bonus loss for damage to their own vehicle covered by comprehensive/partial coverage, but the rules vary. Check the terms with your company, and ask the case handler if you are in doubt.

Useful documentation to collect on the same day

If you want to make the claims process easier (and often quicker), it is smart to have this in order:

• photos and video from the site
• witness contact information
• notes on weather, road conditions, and lighting conditions
• receipts for towing, rental cars, and other expenses (agree with insurance first)

If the other party does not want to cooperate

Sometimes the other party will not provide information or refuse to sign. Then you should:

• take many pictures (including registration numbers)
• note the time and place as accurately as possible
• talk to witnesses and ask for contact information
• contact the police if the situation is unsafe or the other party leaves the scene

You can still create a damage case and submit your part of the information to the insurance company, but a joint digital damage report with signatures makes the process much smoother when both actually cooperate.

This is how Skademeldinger.no helps you in practice

Skademeldinger.no is designed for the moments when you are at the scene and need to get everything right:

• Joint filling with the other party so that you are working in the same form and see the same information.
• Digital signing when you agree, which reduces the risk of “two different versions”.
• Easy sharing of the completed damage report to the insurance company.
• Structured flow reminding you of key fields (time, place, damages, sketch, and photos).

Frequently asked questions

Do we need to fill out a damage report for minor damages

There is no general legal requirement for all minor damages, but it is strongly recommended because it is the basis for a tidy insurance settlement and documentation if you become disagree later.

What if we disagree on fault

Fill out the facts, document well, and avoid certain conclusions in free text. Insurance companies assess liability based on the information and regulations/terms.

Can we sign later

It is possible, but it is precisely on site that you have the best conditions to agree on what actually happened. Preferably sign immediately when you agree.

Sources

• Police – report
• Lovdata – Road Traffic Act
• Norwegian Public Roads Administration
• Norwegian Public Roads Administration – contact

The information in this article is general and updated as of 2025. Rules, procedures, and insurance terms may vary between companies and situations.