When it is not advisable to make a friendly report, the cases to avoid

Completing the CAI form , which is a friendly settlement, speeds up the investigation when there's an agreement on the circumstances and the conditions for direct compensation are met. This same shortcut can backfire if used in the wrong context. At stake are the protection of the right to compensation and hasty declarations that later weigh heavily in court. Institutional guidelines point the way: if the agreement is reached, two people sign; if not, it can also be filled out individually and the investigations are left to the surveyors.

Injured and legal priorities: people first, then the forms

If there are injuries in the accident, a joint accident report is not a priority and is inappropriate. The law requires emergency medical assistance, calling 112, and compliance with the obligations set forth in Article 189 of the Highway Code. Only after the accident has been assessed and treated should the report be filed with the insurance company, possibly with a separate CAI (Italian Road Traffic Insurance Agency) to establish its own version of events. Filling out and signing the form on the fly exposes you to errors that complicate settlement and litigation.

If the drivers disagree on how the accident occurred, it's not a good idea to sign a joint accident report just to end it. The statements made on the form have evidentiary weight and are considered a confession for those signing them. The wisest course of action is to draft a separate CAI form, gather witnesses and photos, indicate any intervention by the authorities, and send the entire document to the insurance company immediately.

Two cases: multiple cars involved and a foreign vehicle

In accidents involving three or more vehicles, a jointly signed amicable settlement risks simplifying a complex process. Direct compensation arises for collisions between two identified and insured vehicles. With multiple vehicles, the procedure often slips into the ordinary procedure, and reconstructing liability requires separate investigations and reports. Forcing settlements between two parties can confuse roles and culpability.

In non-collision accidents or in private areas with disputed circumstances, a joint amicable settlement doesn't accelerate the outcome: direct compensation presupposes a collision between two motor vehicles within the boundaries of Italy, San Marino, or the Vatican. In these cases, it's more effective to rely on clear findings, testimonies, and reports, rather than jointly crystallizing a questionable reconstruction.

If the other vehicle is registered abroad , the amicable report can be used to gather data, but it doesn't complete the process. The contact person is the Italian Central Office, which directs the request to the foreign insurer or the agent in Italy. It's best to carefully identify the license plate and country, attach photographs, and follow the UCI instructions, without relying on a hastily signed joint national amicable report.

Uninsured, unidentified or absconding

If the responsible party is uninsured, unidentified, or absconding, a joint amicable settlement is impossible and has no legal effect. The Road Accident Victims Guarantee Fund steps in, with its own rules, sometimes deductibles for property damage, and a designated insurance company for each area. The speed of settlement depends on the quality of the file: reports, reports, and timely evidence are more valuable than an incomplete form.

If evidence of drunk or drugged driving emerges, or if extensive damage is reported with strong objections, a friendly settlement becomes a tricky proposition. It's best to wait for the findings and have the facts recorded, avoiding convenient agreements that could impact subsequent technical findings. Caution pays off during the investigation and in court.

When pedestrians or cyclists are involved , the priority is personal safety and official reconstruction. A friendly accident report is available for two drivers of motor vehicles; here, the technical aspects differ and fall outside of direct compensation. A report must still be filed, but a joint friendly accident report can complicate matters: findings and medical documentation are more important.

When there is suspicion of fraud

Suspecting a staged accident or fraud is the classic scenario where the joint statement should not be signed : if you find obvious inconsistencies regarding the damage, vehicle positions, or behavior of those present (including the "consultants" who appeared out of nowhere), stop writing, call the police, take photos of the scene and the surrounding area, and limit your statement to a single, precise and detailed friendly statement. The investigation can then rely on official findings, without an ambiguous statement becoming the preferred shortcut to denying compensation.

At the same time, if you don't understand what you're signing up for or can't accurately record the license plate, policy, location, and time, a joint accident report risks crystallizing errors. In these situations, the approach is to fill out a single accident report, name witnesses, attach photos, and include everything in the report within the deadline.

Company cars, leasing and long-term rental

If the vehicle is a company vehicle, leased, or under long-term rental , a joint accident report risks becoming a hasty action that doesn't comply with the owner or fleet manager's internal procedures. Typically, there are specific instructions on how to report the accident, which body shop to use, and what information is required to open the file. Signing a joint accident report with incomplete information can put you on a collision course with the fleet manager, slow down repair authorization, and create friction with contractual penalties.

In these situations, it's a good idea to photograph the scene carefully, gather witnesses, immediately submit a detailed report, and adhere to the owner's company's rules, postponing any joint signatures until the reconstruction is truly shared.

CAI digital or paper: change the channel, not the substance

Since 2025, a digital amicable statement has been available alongside the traditional form. However, convenience should not be a prerequisite for signing if there is no concrete agreement on the process . It is always necessary to keep track of the submission and verify the data. Digital is an additional channel, not a logical shortcut: for the same content, the evidentiary effects remain the same.

Without a joint signature, you won't be able to stay in place. The individual amicable report serves to record the details, location, time, apparent damage, any witnesses, and contact information for the relevant authorities. If submitted quickly, it allows the insurance company to initiate the case and, if necessary, direct action. In situations of disagreement or non-cooperation, the quality of the report matters more than roadside arguments.

The direct procedure applies when the collision involves two motor vehicles, identified and insured within Italy, San Marino, and the Vatican, with a physical impact. Outside of these circumstances—foreign vehicle, multiple vehicles, diffuse liability, or no contact—the case is processed through the ordinary procedure, and the joint CAI procedure does not guarantee faster turnaround times.