There is specific information that needs to be provided when making a car insurance claim, as shown by a man making a claim and typing on his mobile phone

When you’re involved in a car accident, it can be tough to stay calm. Even a minor fender-bender can make your head spin. But if you can keep your cool at the scene and do a little detective work, you’ll thank yourself later — and so will your insurer. Be sure to gather as much information as you can while you’re at the scene to help your broker and insurance company process your claim as quickly as possible.

Before you make a car insurance claim, make sure you have the following information ready to go:

  1. Your insurance policy number, driver’s licence number, and vehicle registration information, including your VIN.
  2. Details about the accident. Make sure you have a detailed description of what happened, the exact location where the accident occurred, the date and time of the accident, the weather conditions, and whether another vehicle was involved. If you have a dash cam, make sure to share all the footage with your insurer.
  3. Injuries sustained by you, your passengers, or anyone else. Make note of any injuries and whether you or others involved were treated at the scene or taken away by ambulance.
  4. Damage to any of the vehicles involved or other property. Collect as many details as you can on the nature of the damage and whether any of the vehicles were towed away from the scene. If your vehicle is towed, make sure to write down exactly where it’s now located. But before any vehicles are moved, take photos and videos if it’s safe to do so, to share proof of the damage with your insurer.
  5. Information about all other drivers and passengers involved in the accident. Write down the name, address, phone number, driver’s licence number and expiration date, vehicle registration, and insurance information of all involved parties.

    Before calling to file a car insurance claim, have your insurance policy number, details of the accident, and photo evidence of the damage close by to speed up the claims process.

  6. And if the owner of each car involved isn’t at the scene. Still try to take note of the owner’s name, address, phone number, and insurance information.
  7. Contact information for each person who witnessed the accident. Make sure you have the name, phone number, and address of anyone who may have seen the accident.
  8. Details about police involvement. Record the name, phone number, badge number of any officers at the scene, and the police report number. Make sure to disclose to your insurer if any traffic tickets were issued to you or other drivers because of the accident.

We know that accidents happen without warning — that’s why they’re called accidents. It might not always be possible to gather all of the information listed above at the scene, but your broker will always be there to help walk you through the claims process and get you back on the road in no time.

Need to make a claim? Contact your licensed insurance broker right away. In case of an after-hours emergency, call your insurer’s emergency service line.

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