| Accident Reporting |
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Report Losses Promptly
We’re making it easier to report loss of state property. And we need to hear from you as soon as possible after a loss.
New Form
DAS-RMD Claims Unit has combined the regular Property Claim and Fast Track Claim forms. Now there is only one form to use. We will still “Fast Track” the low cost claims.
You can copy and print the new form (pdf) from the Web page.
There is a spot on the new form to tell us if, in addition to state property, another person´s property was also damaged. This is not the same as filing a claim for the third party (which you cannot do). But it tells the adjuster to ask some questions.
When Cars Crash, Tell Us Fast
According to the State Self-Insurance policy, you must tell us about a loss to state property within 90 days. You never file a claim for a third party. Just give them our phone number and address. They need to file their own claim. And they have 180 days to do it.
The State Vehicle and Access Rules also require that you report all vehicle collisions to your agency and to RMD, see OAR 125-155- 0700(5).
But the sooner we hear about claims the better. This is particularly true in vehicle collisions. Jim Sorte, Claims Management Consultant with RMD, tells why.
According to Jim, “When we hear that there’s been a crash and vehicles have been towed we can act to cut our costs. If the crash is our fault, the sooner we can get repairs started the better. Here are just two examples.
- Auto Liability Claim - Loss date: 7/20/00. Report date: 7/25/00. Claim reported by claimant. Liability clearly the State’s. As a result of the delay, claimant´s property damage claim was at least, $125 higher (five days storage of the vehicle @ $25/day).
- Auto Liability Claim - Loss date: 6/21/00. Report date: 6/27/00. Claim reported by claimant. Liability clearly the State’s. As a result of the delay, claimant´s property damage claim was at least, $150 higher (six days storage of the vehicle @ $25/day).
A quick call to RMD could have started our process right away. Especially since we were at fault. But even when “fault” is unclear, prompt reporting reduces costs. Here’s another example. - Auto Restoration Claim – Loss date: 8/5/00. Report date: 8/18/00. Liability is questionable. State vehicle repaired prior to the report date. No photos of the damage to the State vehicle. Even if we win our case and it was the other person’s fault, we will have a difficult time proving all of our $3,707.77 loss.
Jim tells us, “In each of the above examples, the State vehicle was towed from the accident scene. If the agency was to notify Risk Management immediately of any auto accident in which their vehicle was towed, we could respond much quicker and reduce the cost of these types of claims. Some of our losses are due to the negligence of others. In those cases the RMD Adjusters can get them to pay. And we have better luck the sooner we get started.”
New Packets Coming
Car crashes are frightening, even when you don’t get hurt. And the last thing you want to do is fill out all the paperwork. But the paperwork is very important. We are trying to make it easier for you. New “Accident Packets” are being designed. You’ll see them soon in the glove boxes of state cars.
So remember, call your agency Safety Advisor or Risk Coordinator right away if you are involved in a vehicle accident while on the job. They can help you get the reports to the right people at the right time.
Winter 2000, Vol 14, No 2
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