What if the other party won’t cooperate?

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It happens more often than you think: After an accident, the other party won't provide information, refuses to fill out a damage report, or tries to "settle without insurance" at all costs. In such cases, it’s especially important to stay calm and secure evidence, so that you are in a stronger position with the insurance company later.

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First: safety and calm

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Before discussing fault or forms, ensure that everyone is safe. Turn on hazard lights, wear a reflective vest, and secure the area as well as you can. If someone is injured, call 113.

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If the situation is unsafe or heated, step back a bit and prioritize getting an overview. You are not obligated to “have the discussion” right then and there.

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What to do when the other party won't cooperate

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1) Gather information – no matter what

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Insurance requires identification and factual basis. Make sure to include:

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• Registration number (take a picture of the plates)
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• Car make/model and color
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• Driver's name (if possible) and contact information
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• Time and place (preferably marked on a map)
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• Insurance company if you can get it (many have it in an app or on the "green card")
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If the other party refuses to provide their name or insurance, the registration number is often enough for your company to proceed.

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2) Document more than you think you need

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When the damage report doesn’t become a “shared story,” documentation becomes crucial:

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• Take pictures of the cars from multiple angles, damages, brake marks, road markings, signs, and surroundings.
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• Film a calm round that shows the whole scene (be mindful of privacy; avoid close-ups of faces unless necessary).
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• Note what was said while it’s fresh: “The other party said X, refused to provide Y, left the scene at …”
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• Witnesses: ask for names and phone numbers; one neutral witness can mean a lot.
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3) Don’t “bargain” yourself out of the insurance case

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Many are pressured to take cash settlements or “fix it privately.” It may seem tempting, but the risks are high: hidden damages, disagreements over price, or the other party later changing their story. As a rule of thumb, it’s safer to document and report the case to the insurance company. Remember that terms for bonus, deductible, and recourse vary between companies and coverages.

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When should you contact the police?

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You should always consider involving the police if:

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• there is personal injury
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• the other party is intoxicated or seems incapable of driving
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• the other party is acting threateningly or you feel unsafe
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• there is suspicion of false identity or the party takes off
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• there is significant material damage or disagreement about the fundamental course of events
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The police have compiled information and advice about traffic situations and what to do next; see Police – traffic advice. If you need to formalize the case, you can also read about filing a report at Police – filing a report.

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How to submit a damage report when you are alone

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You can report the damage to your own insurance company even if the other party refuses to sign. The most important thing is that you provide a clear explanation and attachments. This is typically what the insurance company needs:

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• your description of the incident (short, specific, without speculation)
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• photos/videos and witness information
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• registration number of the other party's car
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• sketch of the point of collision, driving direction, and damages
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At Skademeldinger.no, you can fill out the damage report systematically on your mobile. Ideally, you do this together and sign digitally right then and there, but if the other party won’t, you can still create a detailed version with the correct information and share it with the insurance company. If the other party changes their mind later, you can easily update the same case and get a joint digital signature.

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What about bonus, deductible, and “fault”?

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Many are most concerned about losing their bonus and deductible. It is important to be precise: How the settlement turns out depends on liability relationships, the coverages you have (liability/comprehensive/partial comprehensive), and the terms of your company. If the insurance company cannot establish fault, the case may in some instances be treated as a partial liability sharing or end with each company covering its own clients, but this varies and is assessed specifically.

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For neutral consumer information about car insurance and typical coverages, you can use Finansportalen – car insurance. (Details about bonus and deductible can always be found in your insurance policy and terms.)

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If the other party leaves the scene

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If the other party drives away without providing information, note the registration number, direction, and time. Contact the police if necessary, and report the case to the insurance company as soon as possible with all documentation. Do not attempt to pursue the vehicle – it can create dangerous situations.

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Practical checklist you can follow at the scene

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• Secure the scene and check if anyone is injured.
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• Take pictures before the cars are moved (if it is safe).
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• Note the registration number and time/place.
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• Find witnesses and ask for contact information.
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• Fill out the damage report as well as you can, even without the other party's signature.
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• Contact the police in case of damage, threats, intoxication, or “taking off”.
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In conclusion: be objective, but thorough

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When the other party won’t cooperate, the key is to act as a “good documentarian”: gather facts, avoid conflict, and deliver a tidy damage report. The better the evidence you submit, the easier it is for the insurance company to assess the case.

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If you need a place to start, Skademeldinger.no makes it easy to collect everything in one place, share it further, and – when the other party actually agrees – sign digitally so that the case is ready for the insurance company.

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Sources: Police, Police – filing a report, Finansportalen. Information may vary between insurance companies and terms; always check your insurance policy.