Claims

What to do after an auto accident:

Stay calm - do not put yourself in danger.
STEP 1

• Stop. If your vehicle is involved in an accident and you don't stop, you may be subject to criminal prosecution.
  

STEP 2

• If anyone is injured, if the total damage to all the vehicles involved appears to be MORE than $1,000, or if you suspect that any of the other drivers involved are guilty of a Criminal Code offence (such as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol), call 911 and follow the instructions given to you by the emergency operator. Police will arrive as soon as possible.
• Do not try to move anyone injured in the accident — you may aggravate their injuries!
•  If no one is injured and total damage to all the vehicles involved appears to be LESS than $1,000, call your local police for instructions. Police units may or may not be dispatched to the scene. If local police do not attend the scene of the accident, they will instruct you to report to a Collision Reporting Centre within 24 hours. Collision Reporting Centres are police facilities created to assist motorists in reporting motor vehicle accidents.

STEP 3

•  If it is safe to do so, move your vehicle to the side of the road, out of traffic. If your vehicle cannot be driven, turn on your hazard lights or use cones, warning triangles or flares, as appropriate.
•  Do not stand between parked vehicles or at the side of busy roads; find a safe place away from the road
  

STEP 4
If the other driver is agreeable to this, write down the following information. Sometimes drivers will choose not give you this information, in that case, write down the license number and wait for the police. Do not try to force or argue with the other driver - your safety comes first.

Information you would like to obtain:

• names of other driver(s)
• their addresses
  
• telephone numbers
• driver's licence numbers of all of the other drivers
  
• the licence plate numbers of the other vehicles,
•  as well as the names and addresses of the registered owners of the vehicles
•  insurance information for each of the other vehicles (insurer and policy number)
  

STEP 5

• Also obtain the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of passengers and witnesses. (Only if they are willing to provide them.)
  

STEP 6

• Jot down specific details about the scene of the accident; take photos of damage, street locations (intersections, etc) and any other relevant photos.

STEP 7

• Report the accident to Erb and Erb Insurance brokers as soon as you can 1-800-265-2634.

Collision Reporting Centres
 If the police direct you to a reporting centre you will be assisted in completing a police report, and damage to the vehicle will be photographed. Collision Reporting Centres are currently available in a number of jurisdictions across the province or at police stations.


Not sure if you should make a claim? Wonder if making a claim will impact your insurance rates? Call our home and auto insurance Claims Advice Line at 1-800-265-2634 to ask confidentially, free of charge.