ASBURN, Va. Motorcoach operators often live in fear that one major accident could put them out of business.

While that can and sometimes does happen, operators will have a much better chance of surviving a catastrophic event if they prepare for the worst by developing a detailed plan of action.

Insurance executives who appeared on a panel at the recent United Motorcoach Association Safety Management Seminar here said written procedures for everyone in the company to follow could lessen the impact and help hold down losses.

"It should be your road map for managing a large loss," said National Interstate Assistant Vice President Brad Scofield.

Kieran McGowan, vice president of Lancer Insurance, agreed and said he has seen many companies get into trouble because they were not prepared to handle a serious accident.

"We see it far too many times," he said.

The action plan should direct everyone, from the receptionist who answers the telephone, to the driver involved in the accident, to the owner of the business, on how they should act and what they should say after a major incident occurs.

The panelists stressed that the driver if able to do so should make two telephone calls immediately after the accident, one to the company to report the event and the other to the insurance company. The driver should not, they stressed, speak to anyone, including the police, but should indicate that the company attorney is on the way to the scene if possible.

They said their companies will want to speak directly to the driver as soon after the accident as possible so they can begin strategizing. Both said that in addition to sending an adjuster to the scene, they also would send a lawyer, even if they have to hire one from a city near the accident.

McGowan said a driver should not give any written reports immediately after the accident because they might forget what they said later, which could create problems during the settlement process or court proceedings.

The two also stressed that the person who answers the company telephone should be instructed not to say anything to any news reporters who might call about the accident, but, instead, transfer the call to someone who has been designated in advance to speak on behalf of the company. And that person, they said, should say only that the incident is under investigation.

"What is developed in the first few hours is what youll be bringing to court," added Scofield.

The panelists warned, too, if the coach is equipped with an accident event recorder, it should not be mentioned by anyone involved.

Scofield said that although the recorders are good because they can help defend claims when the driver is not at fault, they also can have a negative side if the driver caused the accident and it shows up on a recorder.

McGowan said if the other side is not aware that a recording exists and the driver is at fault, then the insurance company can try to negotiate a settlement before the case gets to court and the defense lawyers have to disclose the existence of the tape.

"The value of the case would skyrocket if the jury saw how the accident actually happened," he said. "Thats why we try to settle claims before discovery."