Custody record
Know the storage operator, arrival time, recorded condition, key holder and reference.
Home Accident Recovery Secure Storage
Keeping storage controlled and documentedVehicle Storage After an Accident
Keeping storage controlled and documented. The sections below identify the information needed to choose the next vehicle step.
Accident vehicle recovery
Custody recordKnow the storage operator, arrival time, recorded condition, key holder and reference
Charges and fundingAsk when charges begin, who is expected to pay and what happens if eligibility or liability changes
Release authorityIdentify the person or organisation permitted to instruct inspection or onward movement
Authority stays visibleSterling can coordinate storage information and release, but the operator’s terms and the authorised payer determine charges and access
What we need before recovery
Managing vehicle storage after an accident
Vehicle storage after an accident should have a named location, charging basis, access arrangement and release process. Sterling connects those details to the claim so the vehicle can be inspected or moved without the customer discovering later that authority, keys or accumulating charges were unclear.
This page is for customers whose damaged vehicle has been moved away from the scene and is waiting for engineering, insurer instruction or repair allocation.
What decides the collection method
What to record while an accident-damaged vehicle is in storage
Charges and funding
Ask when charges begin, who is expected to pay and what happens if eligibility or liability changes.
Release authority
Identify the person or organisation permitted to instruct inspection or onward movement.
From collection to assessment
From storage arrival to authorised release
Safe access, an agreed destination and clear storage terms come before collection.
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1
Confirm arrival
Obtain the storage location and provider reference after recovery.
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2
Record belongings and keys
Document anything retained in the vehicle and who holds access.
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3
Notify the decision-maker
Supply the insurer or engineer with inspection and contact information.
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4
Agree the onward route
Arrange release to assessment, repair, owner or other authorised destination.
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5
Close the storage record
Keep invoices, release note and vehicle condition with the claim.
Charges and destinations to confirm
Storage charges and release terms to confirm
Open-ended storage
Delay without an identified next action can increase costs.
Informal release instruction
The operator may require owner, insurer or authorised-party evidence before movement.
Unknown charging terms
Qualifying free recovery does not automatically mean every storage period is free.
Responsibility boundary: Sterling can coordinate storage information and release, but the operator’s terms and the authorised payer determine charges and access.
Questions about accident recovery
Questions about this vehicle route
This page is for customers whose damaged vehicle has been moved away from the scene and is waiting for engineering, insurer instruction or repair allocation.
The important areas are custody record, charges and funding, release authority. Each should be recorded accurately for the individual vehicle.
Delay without an identified next action can increase costs. The operator may require owner, insurer or authorised-party evidence before movement. Qualifying free recovery does not automatically mean every storage period is free.
No. Sterling can coordinate storage information and release, but the operator’s terms and the authorised payer determine charges and access.
Other recovery guidance
Guidance after a vehicle cannot be driven
Accident recovery coordinated with the vehicle claim
Check the access, destination and eligibility details needed before collection.
View recovery guidanceAccident repairs managed from assessment to handover
See how assessment, authorisation and the repair hand-off work.
View repair guidanceReady to move the vehicle to a repairer?
Check receiving authority, purpose of movement and evidence transfer before release.
View recovery-to-repairer guidance
Start with an accurate vehicle record
Report the accident details you have
Sterling will review the vehicle position, explain the available coordination route and identify which organisation must make the next decision.