Filling out a claim form: what to include to be understood

A claim form is essentially the "answer key" that the insurance company uses to understand what happened, who was involved, and what was damaged. The clearer and more precisely you fill it out, the faster the claims process goes – and the less chance there is for misunderstandings, deductions, or the need for additional information.

Why a "clear" claim form means everything

A car accident is rarely determined by one sentence like "the other party failed to yield." It is determined by the whole picture: who, where, when, how, and what evidence supports the explanation. Many conflicts arise not because someone is lying, but because the claim form is too vague, lacks details, or mixes in assumptions.

Think of the claim form as a map: it should allow a claims adjuster who wasn't present to visualize the situation – and for a workshop to understand the extent of the damage.

Before you start filling out: secure, clarify and document

1) Safety and notification first

In case of a traffic incident, first ensure safety: secure the area, put on a reflective vest, and set up a warning triangle if needed. This is basic road safety and can also influence the extent of the damage moving forward.

2) When should the police be contacted?

A rule of thumb is to contact the police when there is personal injury, suspicion of substance abuse, disagreement about the course of events, or situations that may have legal implications (e.g., vandalism, collisions, or reckless driving). The police also have information about reporting and what can/must be reported: Police – reporting.

Note: Additionally, some insurance companies may have requirements in their terms regarding police reports in special cases (e.g., theft, vandalism, or collisions). Terms vary between companies.

3) Take pictures before moving the cars (if possible)

If the situation is safe enough, take pictures before the cars are moved: of their positions in the traffic lane, distance to intersections/exits, signs, lane markings, and any skid marks. Then take close-ups of the damages.

This must be included in a claim form for it to be understood

Below is a practical checklist that covers what typically makes a claim form "self-explanatory".

1) Time and place – be precise

• Date and time (as accurately as possible).
• Address/road, preferably with intersection, exit, lane, and direction (e.g., "E6 northbound, exit X, right lane").
• Conditions: light (dark/daylight), weather, road conditions (dry, wet, icy, slushy), visibility.

This helps the insurance company to assess everything from speed adjustment to the likelihood of subsequent errors (e.g., chain collision on slippery roads).

2) Parties – correct data prevents a lot of extra work

The following points should always be correct and complete:

• Driver: name, address, phone number, driving license class (if relevant in the form).
• Owner (if different from the driver): name and contact information.
• Vehicle: registration number, make/model, preferably color (useful when multiple vehicles are involved).
• Insurance company and policy number (if available).

A common problem is mixing up driver and owner, or writing the wrong phone number. This delays follow-up, signing, and settlement longer than necessary.

3) Sketch – the most important "language translator"

A good sketch can explain in 10 seconds what otherwise takes a page of text. It should show:

• The shape of the road (straight, curve, intersection, roundabout), lanes and directions (arrows).
• The positioning of both cars before and at the collision (preferably label A and B).
• Traffic signs and markings that matter (yield signs, stop lines, crosswalks).
• Any obstacles (parked car, snowbank, poor visibility).

Tip: Use simple language in the sketch: "A" and "B", arrows for direction, and mark the collision point with a cross.

4) Check off the correct type of incident – but explain in your own words anyway

Many claim forms have checkboxes (backed up, changed lane, came from the right, etc.). Check off what fits, but always write a short, fact-based description that:

• describes the maneuver you made (e.g., "was going to turn left into the parking lot"),
• when you noticed the other party,
• what collided with what (e.g., "B hit A on the left rear fender").

Avoid pure conclusions like "the other party was at fault." It’s better to describe what happened and where the point of impact was.

5) Damage to the car and others – describe systematically

Insurance is not just about liability but also about extent. Note:

• Point of damage (front/rear, right/left, suspension, lights, windshield).
• Visible signs (dents, scratches, broken parts, leaks).
• Other things: damage to fences, poles, guardrails, buildings, or parked cars.

Take pictures both up close and from a distance. A close-up without context can be difficult to place.

6) Witnesses – they can settle disagreements

If someone stopped and saw the incident, write down:

• name, phone number, and preferably email address,
• where the witness stood/sat (e.g., "on the sidewalk at the bus stop").

Don’t wait with witness information – people quickly leave the scene, and memories fade.

7) Personal injury and symptoms – be honest and concrete

In case of whiplash, back pain, headaches, or other ailments: write that there is suspicion of personal injury, even if you are uncertain at that moment. Many symptoms appear hours or days later. If there are acute symptoms: contact health services.

Phrasings that make the claim form clearer

Use "camera language"

Write as if a camera recording should match the text:

• "I was driving in the right lane at about 40–50 km/h and was about to turn right."
• "I stopped for a pedestrian at the crosswalk. B hit me from behind."
• "I slowly backed out from the parking spot. I stopped when I saw B, but B continued and hit the left rear corner."

Avoid "legal language" and diagnoses

• Avoid terms like "negligent", "failed to yield" and "illegal overtaking" unless you can link them to specific observations.
• Avoid "diagnosing" injuries ("whiplash") – rather write symptoms and that you are seeking/have sought medical help.

Digital claim forms make it easier to reach an agreement

The most time-consuming aspect in many cases is not the filling out itself, but that the parties have different versions or that something becomes illegible/incomplete. With a digital solution, you can fill out together, see the same text and the same sketch/attachments, and sign when you agree.

On Skademeldinger.no, you can fill out the claim form together with the other party, upload pictures along the way, and sign digitally – so that the form is ready to be sent to the insurance company without two different paper versions.

Common mistakes that lead to misunderstandings

1) "We were hit from behind" without more

That may be correct – but the insurance company needs context: were you stationary, did you brake hard, was there a queue, was it slippery, were there more cars?

2) Missing arrows/directions in the sketch

Without arrows and fields, the same sketch can be interpreted completely differently.

3) No pictures of the whole scene

Only close-ups of scratches say little about speed, angle, and position.

4) Signing without reading through

A signature essentially means that you confirm the content. If you disagree with the wording, it must be corrected before signing, or you must submit separate accounts (depending on the solution and company).

5) Mixing in emotions and assumptions

"He was stressed" and "she didn’t see" may be true, but are hard to document. Rather write what you observed: "B came out from the side road without stopping" or "B was closely behind for about 200 meters."

After filling out: what should you do immediately?

• Make a copy of everything (form, pictures, witnesses).
• Note the course of events in your own words the same day (the memory is freshest).
• Follow up on injuries that develop (sounds, warning lights, leakage) and document with the workshop.

Insurance, deductible, and bonus – briefly explained

In car insurance, there is typically a difference between liability (damage you cause to others) and comprehensive/partial comprehensive (damage to your own car due to collision, theft, glass, etc.). How deductibles and bonuses are affected depends on the liability situation and the terms of your company. Always read the terms – and ask the company if you are unsure.

Finans Norge has general information about insurance and the industry: Finans Norge (see the topics on property insurance/car insurance).

Checklist you can copy before signing

• Is the time, place, and direction correct (including lane)?
• Is the driver/owner/insurance filled out without typos?
• Do you have a sketch with arrows, fields, signs, and collision points?
• Is it clear what collided with what, and where on the cars the damage is?
• Are witnesses listed with contact info (if applicable)?
• Are pictures taken of both the overview and details?
• Is the text free from assumptions and "judgments", and solely based on facts?

When there is disagreement with the other party

If you cannot agree on the course of events, it is extra important to:

• stick to facts and documentation,
• take many overview pictures from different angles,
• note witnesses and any cameras (store, bus, toll station – where it is legal and available).

You can still fill out the factual fields (time/place/party information) together, but each party should write their explanation clearly. In serious incidents and conflicts, it is often wise to contact the police.

In summary

A claim form is understood when it is concrete, verifiable, and complete: precise location, correct person and vehicle data, an explanatory sketch, pictures showing both the whole and details, and a sober text describing the incident without speculation.

If you want to make the process as smooth as possible, it is a big advantage to fill out the claim form digitally together with the other party and sign when both see the same version – so that you can avoid unclear copies and duplicate work. This is precisely what Skademeldinger.no is designed for.

Sources

• Police – reporting
• Finans Norge
• Norwegian Public Roads Administration