Auto claim: what to do at the scene and after

At the scene

Safety first. Call police if there's injury or significant damage, exchange information, photograph vehicles/positions/plates, and get witness contacts. Don't admit fault — describe facts.

Reporting

Notify your insurer promptly. In public-insurer provinces (BC/SK/MB) you deal with ICBC/SGI/MPI; in Quebec, bodily injury goes to the SAAQ and property damage to your private insurer.

No-fault vs tort

In no-fault/DCPD systems your own insurer handles your damage regardless of blame — that's normal, not a denial. In tort provinces you may pursue an at-fault driver.

Injuries

Accident benefits are payable regardless of fault — file them even if you're partly to blame. In Ontario, AB disputes can go to the Licence Appeal Tribunal.

If denied

Get the reason in writing, use the insurer's complaints process → GIO → regulator. In BC, some disputes go through the Civil Resolution Tribunal.

Deadlines

Injury and accident-benefit claims have strict notice and application deadlines — often much shorter than the general limitation period. Act fast. See the provincial auto guides for your regulator.