Did you know that an important change has been made to the European claim form? You can now indicate whether a cell phone was used during the accident. This may seem like a small detail, but it can have major consequences for handling damages as well as determining liability.
Why this addition?
Distracted driving is an increasing problem, with cell phone use being one of the biggest culprits. According to recent studies , distraction plays a role in about 20% of all traffic accidents. To better understand the role of cell phones in accidents, the European claim form has been updated. In doing so, the insurance industry hopes to increase both awareness and road safety.
What does this mean for you as a business customer?
In a traffic accident involving an employee of your organization, it can now be recorded whether this person was using a cell phone at the time of the accident. This, of course, also applies to the other party. Think of calling, appending or using navigation without hands-free functionality.
For employers with field employees or fleets of vehicles, this is especially relevant. If it turns out that an employee was distracted by his phone and caused the accident as a result, it could affect coverage, compensation and your liability.
What can you do?
-
Inform your employees about this change and emphasize the importance of safe driving.
-
Set clear guidelines about cell phone use in the car.
-
Consider technical solutions, such as apps that limit phone use while driving.
Working together for safety
At Schouten Zekerheid , we like to think along with you about how you can limit risks. Whether it's gaat fleet management, liability insurance or prevention policy - we are ready to assist you with tailored advice.
Do you have questions about this change or how it mayaffect your insurance? Please feel free to contact us.
-Jan-22-2026-09-59-33-0024-AM.jpg)