If you get in an automobile accident on or off base, make sure the scene is safe, then contact Security Forces or the Military Police. They will help you complete an accident report which the insurance companies will need. Security Forces will also check all of your documentation. Property Damage Insurance (PDI) needs to be renewed annually in person. After an accident the worst time to remember that you forgot to renew your insurance. Japan has shared liability. If your vehicle was moving, you are partially at fault.

As I was driving home on Kadena AB from physical training on a wet, rainy morning, a car darted out in front of me from a parking lot on my left. It was attempting to make a right hand turn. It didn’t have time. I slammed my foot on my brakes. There wasn’t enough distance. I hit the car. Fortunately, the accident was at very low speeds and now one was injured. I drove my car into the parking lot, which much protest from the plastic panel that was now bent against my front tire, and waited for Security Forces. When they arrived, they took a statement from both of us and the other driver received a citation. I took photos of the damage and called my wife to ask for a ride. Later that day, I had to drive to my insurance office to file a detailed paper claim with them. Later that day, an adjuster called me to ask more questions. I emailed him all of the photos I took of the damage.

After three weeks, the insurance companies finally had it all sorted out. I was 10% at fault, what I understand to be the minimum if you’re in a moving vehicle, which meant the other insurance company would pay 90% of my repair cost. Unfortunately, the repair was estimated to be $2200 and my little Kei car was only valued at $1700. I suppose Kei cars don’t hold up well in accidents. It was a total loss. The insurance company gave me the chose of either repairing the car and they would pay the difference, or $1700 cash. While I liked the car, the JCI was due the next month and I opted for the cash. I would have preferred to just have some money transferred to my bank account. Instead, 175000 yen was delivered from the insurance company to an auto garage in Okinawa-City. I drove the the garage and provided very loose proof of identity — I was the American that wanted 175000 yen — and received my pile of cash.