Safety
What to Do After a Car Accident in a Hire or Rental Car in Ghana
Quick answer: After a car accident in Ghana in a hire or rental car, make the scene safe, get help for anyone injured (the National Ambulance Service number is 112), and report the accident to the police. The Ghana Police Service lists 191 for emergency police and 18555 toll-free. Take photos, note the other vehicle's details, then call your car hire & rental firm before you agree anything with the other driver. Don't pay anyone to settle on the spot, and don't pay police officers to close the case.
This is a practical, step-by-step guide for visitors and residents driving a hire car in Ghana, or riding in one with a hired driver. It isn't legal advice. It sets out what Ghana's government, the police, the insurance regulator and UK and US travel advice actually say, and where we couldn't confirm something, we say so.
Save these numbers before you drive
| Who | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ambulance (National Ambulance Service) | 112 | NAS website |
| Police emergency | 191 | Ghana Police Service |
| Police toll-free | 18555 | Ghana Police Service |
| Reporting a traffic accident (US advice) | +233 302 779 331 or +233 302 760 330 | US State Department |
| US Embassy Accra (US citizens) | +233 30 274 1000 | US State Department |
| Your hire firm's 24-hour line | Ask when you collect the car | Your rental agreement |
The official lists don't all match. The National Ambulance Service gives 112 as its free 24-hour emergency line, and Citi Newsroom reported in September 2026 that NAS operates in all 16 regions with 112 available around the clock. The Ghana Police Service lists 191 (emergency police) and 18555 (toll-free). The US State Department lists 112, 191 or 18555 for police and 193 or 112 for an ambulance, while the UK FCDO lists 999 or 112 for all services and 192 for police. If one number doesn't connect, try another.
At the scene: step by step
1. Make the scene safe
Stop, switch on your hazard lights and check whether anyone is hurt. Ghana's Driver's Guide from the Ministry of Roads and Highways says that where an accident blocks traffic, you should put reflective warning triangles at least 50 yards before and behind the vehicle.
Graphic Online reports that Ghana's Road Traffic Regulations (L.I. 2180) require the driver of any vehicle that is stationary on the road or the shoulder to display at least one emergency warning sign. When you collect a hire car, check it has a warning triangle.
2. Help anyone who is injured
The Driver's Guide says to attend to injured people and, where needed, arrange for them to get to hospital. Call 112 for the National Ambulance Service.
The US State Department warns that ambulance services are not widely available, response times may be poor, and many ambulances have little medical equipment. It says injured or very ill travellers might prefer to take a taxi or their own car to the nearest major hospital, as this can be faster. It also says hospitals often want payment up front or proof of good insurance.
3. Report the accident to the police
The Driver's Guide sets out what happens:
- report the accident at the nearest police station as soon as possible
- make a formal report and give a statement to the police
- the police will visit the scene to take measurements and make enquiries
- inform your insurers
- the police may process the case for prosecution
- give the name and address of the driver and owner, and other information and documents the authorities ask for
The Motor Transport and Traffic Directorate (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service investigates road traffic crashes. The Driver's Guide also says vehicles involved in an accident will be tested by the DVLA.
The US State Department says that if your car is hit by another car while you are driving, you should go directly to the nearest police station to report it. To report a traffic accident by phone, it lists +233 302 779 331 or +233 302 760 330.
4. Don't settle on the spot, and don't pay the police
Two rules from the Driver's Guide matter most for visitors:
- Never negotiate an out-of-court settlement with another party before the accident has been reported to the police.
- Never pay any money to a police officer to close an accident case. The guide says this is illegal and amounts to bribery and corruption. It also says drivers should never pay police for the testing of accident vehicles.
5. Watch for bump scams
The US State Department says scammers may deliberately bump into vehicles and pretend to be hit, then demand money from the people inside. It says these scams happen most often in congested urban areas. If you're unsure, stay in the car with the doors locked, don't hand over cash, and offer to go to the nearest police station to report it.
The UK FCDO says attacks on vehicles are increasing and to take particular care when your car is stationary in a busy area, with windows up and doors locked. Our guide to whether it's safe to drive in Ghana covers the wider safety advice.
6. Record the evidence
Take photos before the vehicles are moved, if it's safe to do so: the damage, the positions of the vehicles, the other vehicle's registration number, and the road. Write down the other driver's name, phone number and insurer, plus the names of witnesses and the police station and officer handling the report.
The Driver's Guide says to inform your insurers, so keep this record together with the police station details. Ask the hire firm which documents its insurer wants, as requirements differ between insurers.
Call your car hire & rental firm
Call the firm as soon as everyone is safe. It owns the car, and the Ghana Police Service notes that only a vehicle's owner can insure it, so the firm needs to know quickly. Ask:
- whether it wants you to wait for its staff at the scene
- which police station the report should be made at, and who will collect the police report
- whether it has towing or a replacement car
- what your rental agreement says you're responsible for
If you have a hired driver, agree with the driver and the firm who will make the police report, and keep your own photos and notes. Our guide to NGO and long-term field vehicles covers how to agree driver and insurance terms in writing before a trip.
Don't arrange repairs or payments yourself. The car and its insurance belong to the firm, so agree any repairs, towing or payments with the firm in writing first.
How insurance works for a hire car
The National Insurance Commission (NIC), Ghana's insurance regulator, says it is legally mandatory to have at least third-party liability cover. It lists three main types of motor insurance:
- Third-party liability: covers injury or damage to others
- Third-party, fire and theft: adds fire and theft
- Comprehensive: adds damage to your own vehicle, plus theft, fire and natural disasters
Third-party cover alone doesn't pay for damage to the hire car itself. Before you drive, ask the firm in writing which cover the car has and what you would owe if it were damaged.
The Ghana Police Service says the driver is responsible for making sure a vehicle has valid motor insurance, whoever owns it. You can check by dialling *920*57# and entering the registration number.
Your own travel insurance matters too. The US State Department strongly recommends cover that includes medical evacuation, and the UK FCDO says to contact your travel provider and insurer if you're involved in a serious incident.
If an insurer won't pay a claim
The National Insurance Commission handles complaints that an insurer or intermediary hasn't resolved. Its process is:
- Contact the insurer first.
- Have your policy or claim number, key dates and documents ready.
- File through the NIC Complaints Hub online, or contact the Commission if you can't use the portal.
In June 2025 the Ghana News Agency reported an NIC regional head saying that the Commission's mandate includes mediating or resolving disputes over insurance claims, and that policyholders don't need a lawyer to pursue unpaid claims.
If the car belongs to a hire firm, the claim usually runs through the firm's policy, so keep copies of everything you send the firm.
Before you drive: a short checklist
- Save 112, 191 and 18555, plus the firm's 24-hour number.
- Check the car has a warning triangle.
- Ask in writing what insurance the car has and what happens after an accident.
- Check the car's insurance status with *920*57#.
- Carry your driving documents. The FCDO says you can drive in Ghana on a 1949 International Driving Permit or a Ghanaian licence, and to carry your driving documents with you.
- Avoid driving outside the main towns after dark. The FCDO says the risk of serious road accidents is much greater then.
Choosing a firm that answers these questions clearly is half the job. Our guide to choosing a car rental & hire company in Ghana and our guide to avoiding car hire scams explain what to look for.
Frequently asked questions
What number do I call after a car accident in Ghana?
For an ambulance, call 112, the National Ambulance Service's free 24-hour line. For the police, the Ghana Police Service lists 191 for emergencies and 18555 toll-free. The US State Department also lists +233 302 779 331 or +233 302 760 330 for reporting a traffic accident.
Do I have to report a road accident to the police in Ghana?
Ghana's Driver's Guide from the Ministry of Roads and Highways says to report an accident at the nearest police station as soon as possible, make a formal report and give a statement. The US State Department says that if another car hits yours, you should go directly to the nearest police station to report it.
Should I pay the other driver to settle on the spot?
The Driver's Guide says never to negotiate an out-of-court settlement before the accident has been reported to the police. The US State Department also warns that scammers sometimes bump into cars deliberately and demand money, mostly in congested urban areas.
Do I pay the police for an accident report?
The Driver's Guide says never to pay money to a police officer to close an accident case, as this is illegal and amounts to bribery and corruption. It also says not to pay police for the testing of accident vehicles.
Who pays for damage to a hire or rental car after an accident?
It depends on the car's insurance and your rental agreement. The NIC says third-party liability cover is legally mandatory and covers injury or damage to others; damage to the car itself needs comprehensive cover. Ask the firm in writing before you drive.
What can I do if an insurer refuses to pay a claim?
Contact the insurer first. If it isn't resolved, the National Insurance Commission takes complaints through its online Complaints Hub, or you can contact the Commission directly.
Should I call an ambulance or go to hospital by car?
Call 112 for the National Ambulance Service. The US State Department says ambulances are not widely available and that injured travellers might prefer to take a taxi or their own car to the nearest major hospital, as this can be faster.
Next steps
Before your trip, compare firms on our search page and ask each one the same questions about insurance cover, accident procedure and its 24-hour contact number. Pick the firm that answers clearly and in writing.
Sources
- Ghana country information: emergency numbers, traffic accidents, bump scams, ambulances (checked 21 October 2026) (US Department of State)
- TRAFFITECH-GH FAQs: emergency police 191, toll-free 18555, *920*57# insurance check (checked 21 October 2026) (Ghana Police Service)
- National Ambulance Service: emergency hotline 112 (checked 21 October 2026) (National Ambulance Service)
- Ghana Driver's Guide: duties of the driver in case of accidents and police procedures (PDF, checked 21 October 2026) (Ministry of Roads and Highways)
- Taming road vampires: Vehicle towing policy takes off Jan. 2027 (L.I. 2180 warning-sign rule; 10 October 2026) (Graphic Online)
- Insurance products: motor insurance (third-party liability is legally mandatory) (checked 21 October 2026) (National Insurance Commission (NIC))
- File a complaint: NIC Complaints Hub (checked 21 October 2026) (National Insurance Commission (NIC))
- NIC urges policyholders to make use of the commission (20 June 2025) (Ghana News Agency)
- We handle over 300 emergencies daily despite fleet challenges – Ambulance Service (21 September 2026) (Citi Newsroom)
- Ghana travel advice: getting help (emergency numbers, contact your travel provider and insurer) (checked 21 October 2026) (UK FCDO)
Last checked: 21 October 2026. Rules, prices and advice change, so recheck official sources before you travel.
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