REALITY IS ACCIDENTS CAN HAPPEN AND IF YOU’RE UNFORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE ONE WE’RE HERE TO HELP GET YOU BACK ON THE ROAD.
OVERVIEW
IF YOU DO HAVE AN ACCIDENT, WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU:
• Stay calm, If you can, move your vehicle to a safe place switch off the ignition and turn your hazard lights on.
• Dial 000 (AUS) or 111 (NZ) to notify emergency services if necessary. Check on those involved in the accident for injuries. If someone is injured and needs immediate medical assistance, traffic is being obstructed, or a driver is under the influence ring 000 (AUS) or 111 (NZ) to reach emergency services. If the situation is not an emergency dial 105 (NZ) to contact the police.
• Get as much information as you can about the accident using the forms in this guide to help you.
- Driver’s license details & address
- Vehicle Owner’s name and address (if different from driver)
- Contact number
- Vehicle registration, make & model
- Insurance Details
- Name and contact details of any witnesses
For Australian Customers involved in a car accident:
- If a person is injured or killed you are required to notify the Police. While the 000 number will get you through to any of the Police, Ambulance or Fire, if a person is injured or killed you are required to first call the Ambulance and then the Police.
- If the Police do not attend the accident scene, you are required to report the accident as soon as possible to the Police (but within 24 hours) if:
• A vehicle is towed away;
• Property is damaged or animals are injured; and
• You are unable to provide your details to the other driver.
For New Zealand Customers involved in a car accident, the law requires that you:
- Contact Police Where the situation is not an emergency and does not require immediate Police/Emergency Service attendance, use 105 to contact police.
- You must report the accident to the Police if the accident causes injury to or death of a person as soon as you can and no later than 24 hours after the accident.
- If the accident involves damage to an unoccupied vehicle (or property belonging to a person other than the driver) report it to the owner no later than 48 hours of the incident or to the Police no later than 60 hours if the owner cannot be readily contacted or identified.
If required, contact GMSV Roadside Assistance or your nominated roadside assistance provider – they may be able to offer additional advice.
To help you glide through the repair process ask the other party if you can take photos of their license, vehicle and accident scene. For additional support you can contact GM Accident Care Call Centre.
GMSV ASSISTANCE
GM ACCIDENT CARE CALL CENTRE
Australia – 1800 286 733 | NZ – 0508 286 733
REPAIRING
REPAIRING YOUR GM VEHICLE
Your GM Vehicle is the result of the best design and engineering practices to ensure that it performs at a very high standard in the event of a collision.
Only new Genuine GM Parts fitted using current GM repair procedures by trained technicians will help ensure your GM Vehicle is brought back to its pre-accident condition, maintain its structural integrity, and ensure occupants’ safety is not compromised.
GM Genuine Parts
Engineered for your GM Vehicle
Manufacturer’s warranty
Resale value
We are serious about your safety and your right to have new Genuine GM Parts fitted to your vehicle. Only Genuine GM Parts are designed, validated and engineered by GM or its associated entities and are warranted by GM, giving you peace of mind. Keeping your GM Vehicle genuine will also help maximise the resale value of your vehicle.
CERTIFIED REPAIR NETWORK
GM CERTIFIED COLLISION REPAIR NETWORK
The anxiety & uncertainty that being involved in an accident brings can be lightened by having your GM Vehicle repaired by a GM Certified Collision Repairer. By Choosing a GM Certified Collision Repairer you can rest assured that you will be dealing with a Repairer that not only meets the highest levels of training and expertise, but will also help you through the entire process from making a claim right down to getting you back on the road A key part of being a GM Certified Collision Repairer is a commitment to completing safe & proper repairs.
This means that your GM Vehicle will be repaired using:
The current GM approved Repair Procedures
The correct GM approved equipment
New Genuine GM Parts
Trained & Certified Technicians
The GM Certified Repairer will also conduct a full electronic system check after repairs using the same diagnostic systems & processes used by GM Parts & Service Centres. This will give you piece of mind that your GM Vehicle has had a safe & proper repair ensuring that it will operate as it was designed & continue to be as safe as it was before it was damaged.
It’s an exclusive privilege to be a GM Certified Collision Repairer and one that isn’t handed out to just anyone.
To contact your nearest GM Certified Repairer call AU 1800 286 733, NZ 0508 286 733 or click here to see the list of GM Certified Collision Repairers.
TIPS
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR
GENUINE PARTS
Genuine GM Parts are designed, validated and engineered by GM or its associated entities and are warranted by GM, giving you peace of mind. Keeping your GM Vehicle genuine will also help maximise the resale value of your vehicle.
By definition “Genuine GM Parts are parts that are designed, validated and engineered by GM or its associated entities.
These are sourced through the GM’s authorised supply chain and warranted by GM.” Using Genuine GM Parts fitted using current GM repair procedures by trained technicians will help your GM Vehicle be returned to its pre-accident condition.
COPY PARTS
Unlike Genuine GM Parts, copy or counterfeit parts are vehicle parts or panels that have not been rigorously tested by GM engineers to ensure your vehicle’s safety and durability.
Copy parts may affect your vehicle’s warranty and compromise the safety and design of your GM Vehicle.
'RECYCLED’ OR SECOND HAND PARTS
These parts are sourced from vehicles that have been badly damaged or even written off and may contain hidden damage.
These parts may not return your vehicle to a pre-accident condition and may decrease the safety, quality, and value of your GM Vehicle.
INSURANCE
DO YOU HAVE THE RIGHT INSURANCE
It’s important to understand your insurance policy thoroughly so you don’t get stung by the fine print. Some policies mean the insurer is able to repair your GM Vehicle as cheaply as possible which may mean using copy or recycled parts, therefore compromising the safety of you and your passengers. If you’re not sure, ask your insurance company whether your policy allows only new Genuine GM Parts to be fitted to your vehicle for the vehicle’s lifetime.
Questions to ask your insurer
Will Genuine GM Parts be fitted for the life of my vehicle?
Do I have a choice of repairer?
Are repairs guaranteed for life of the vehicle regardless of ownership?
Will my insurance company mandate that the repairer follow current GM repair procedures?
CHECKLIST
PICKED UP YOUR VEHICLE FROM BEING REPAIRED?
HERE’S HOW TO CHECK THAT IT’S GOOD TO GO!
Ask the repairer about the work that’s been carried out and to see the job card – the repairer’s own record.
Look at the car from a distance - If areas have been repainted, check the panels match and blend together.
Look at where the panels meet - Large gaps may indicate poor repair work or that a non genuine part is fitted.
Look at the appearance of the car - If the car is dirty if could be a sign of poor quality work.
Make sure the parts that have been fixed work properly - Pay attention to headlights, door handles and locks.
Request an invoice itemising the parts and ask if new Genuine GM Parts have been fitted.
Ask for the repairer’s warranty.
ACCIDENT DETAILS
IF YOU ARE UNFORTUNATELY INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, THEN HERE IS A CHECKLIST OF THE BASIC DETAILS YOU WILL NEED.
Firstly though you should make sure that no one is injured and you and your vehicle are in a clear & safe position.
SECTION A
Your Details
• Driver’s Name
• Licence Number
• Vehicle make/model/year
• Registration Number
SECTION B
Other Drivers’ Details
• Driver’s Name
• Licence Number
• Address
• Contact Number
• Vehicle Owner’s Name and Address
(if different from driver)
• Vehicle make/model/year
• Registration Number
• Insurance Company
SECTION C
Accident Details
• Date
• Time
• Location
• Accident Details
• Witness Name
• Witness Address
SECTION D
Additional Information
Add details of police, other vehicles, conversations or draw a sketch.
