Car accidents are stressful, no matter how minor or major. Whether you’ve been in a fender bender, hit an object, or become the victim of a hit-and-run, knowing how to handle the aftermath can save you time, money, and hassle.
At King Insurance, we want to help you understand what to do after a collision and how the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) processes claims under the current Enhanced Care model.
Step 1: Report Your Claim Online or By Phone and Gather Claim Details
The first thing to do after a crash is make sure everyone is safe. Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt or if the accident happened in a way that’s blocking traffic.
Next, report your collision claim to ICBC. You can do this online or dial a claim by phone through the ICBC claims website. If reporting online, make sure to keep the navigation open in your browser as you move between sections, so you don’t lose your progress. Have key claim details ready, including:
- Your driver’s license number and plate number
- Details of the crash (time, location, what happened)
- The other driver’s vehicle information, if applicable
- Police file number, if you have one
If you were injured, mention it when submitting your claim report. ICBC will gather details for both injury and vehicle damage claims.
Step 2: Work With Your Claims Representative
Once your claim is reported, ICBC assigns a claims representative to your claim. The claims representative will:
- Review the details of the crash
- Determine responsibility, sometimes called fault, under BC’s Motor Vehicle Act
- Keep you informed about next steps and connect you to any specialists assigned to your claim, such as injury recovery advisors or repair coordinators
Responsibility matters because it affects how the insurance covers the rest of the repairs and whether your premiums might go up.
If you’re at fault and have ICBC Collision coverage, it will pay for repairs to your vehicle, minus your deductible. If you damage someone else’s car, their Basic insurance will cover their repairs.
If you’re not at fault, your own Basic Vehicle Damage coverage will handle the repairs to your vehicle.
Step 3: Get a Damage Estimate on Your Claim Report from the Estimator Assigned to Your Claim
Your vehicle will need an estimate to assess the cost of repairs. An ICBC accredited facility or estimator will:
- Inspect your vehicle
- Write up an estimated repair work summary and costs for the claim report
During this step, the estimator examines the damage carefully to determine what’s needed. If the vehicle is a total loss (not economical to repair), ICBC pays you its determined value.
The ICBC claims process may include an assessment using advanced investigation tools to understand how the crash occurred and who was at fault.
You can also review the estimated repair work details with your estimator if you have questions about specific parts or labor costs.
Step 4: Choose a Repair Shop
You can choose where to get your vehicle fixed, but using an accredited ICBC repair shop is often the best choice. Most shops in this network guarantee repairs for as long as you own the vehicle and work directly with ICBC for billing. Some locations also offer a valet service, making it easier to drop off and pick up your vehicle.
If you’re not sure where to go, ICBC can help you locate a service near your home or workplace to get your vehicle assessed and scheduled for repairs.
Step 5: Pay Your Deductible
When repairs are complete, you may need to pay a deductible — this is the portion you agreed to cover when you bought your insurance.
In some cases, you may also be responsible to pay depreciation on certain parts or labor due to wear and tear. Your estimator can explain any additional costs.
Once payment is settled, the vehicle repaired will be returned to you, and you’ll be back on the road, confident that your vehicle fixed correctly and that your insurance covers the rest of the eligible repair costs.
Will My Insurance Go Up?
If you’re found more than 25% responsible for a crash (sometimes called fault), your premiums may increase at renewal, especially if you don’t have a long claim-free record. Optional coverages, like Collision, may also become more expensive.
For the most accurate estimate of how a claim will affect your premiums, wait until you are within six weeks of your renewal date and check using ICBC’s online estimation tool or contact your Autoplan broker.
How ICBC Determines Fault
The ICBC claims process uses multiple sources to determine responsibility, including:
- Driver statements
- Witness accounts
- Police file number
- Vehicle damage
- The Motor Vehicle Act and past court decisions
ICBC also uses internal investigation tools and photos to confirm details.
You will receive a letter from ICBC telling you if you were found partially, fully, or not responsible for the crash.
If you disagree with the assessment, you can talk to the person assigned to your claim or follow ICBC’s process to dispute the decision.
Extra Tips
- Gather witness info at the scene, if possible. Independent witnesses can provide valuable statements to support your claim report.
- Document the damage with photos or videos right after the crash.
- Review crash examples on ICBC’s website or visit a claim centre for in-person help.
- Explore other resources on ICBC’s site to learn about coverage, repairs, and dispute options.
Final Thoughts
While we all hope to avoid car accidents, it’s smart to know what to do if one happens. The ICBC claims process is designed to help you get your vehicle repaired or fixed efficiently, but it can feel overwhelming. As your insurance partner, King Insurance is here to help guide you through each step, from reporting the crash to understanding how the insurance takes care of your claim and how ICBC pays for repairs.
If you need help with ICBC claims or want to make sure you have the right Collision or Optional coverages in place, reach out to us anytime. Check ICBC’s other resources for additional help.
Located at the northwest corner of Marine Drive and Main Street, King Insurance proudly serves not only the South Vancouver communities of Marpole, Sunset, Oakridge, Victoria–Fraserview, and nearby areas like Marine Gateway and Marine Landing, but also clients across Richmond and the entire Lower Mainland.
Report a claim online: ICBC Report a Claim
Ka Hing Cheung is proud to work in the insurance company industry, helping people manage risk and protect what matters most. Ka Hing is committed to ongoing learning and enjoys helping clients find the right coverage at the best available rate, while making sure they understand their options clearly.