How to Report an ICBC Claim in British Columbia
ICBC accepts online claim reports 24 hours a day. Collision claims can also be reported by phone, after which a claims representative gathers information, reviews coverage and begins the responsibility and vehicle-damage process.
Start with facts about the crash, not a fault conclusion
When reporting a collision, provide the date, location, vehicles and people involved, what happened, injuries if any, and a police file number when one exists. Responsibility is assessed later from the evidence and applicable rules, so the initial report should focus on accurate observations rather than trying to assign a percentage of fault yourself.
A claims representative gathers the record
After a collision claim is reported, ICBC assigns a claims representative. The representative can gather statements and other information, review the rules of the road, assess responsibility and explain the next claim steps. Vehicle damage then moves toward an estimate, repair or total-loss decision as appropriate.
Keep evidence and contact information
Photos, dashcam footage, witness contact details, police information and repair or towing records can help establish what happened and document expenses. Keep original records rather than relying on memory after the claim has progressed.
Injury and vehicle damage are related but not identical claim tracks
A crash can involve vehicle damage and injuries at the same time. ICBC asks for injury details when the claim is reported, but vehicle repair, responsibility assessment and injury benefits each have their own decisions and documentation.
Keep responsibility, repairs and value separate
A responsibility assessment answers who is at fault and to what degree. A repair estimate answers how much the damage is expected to cost. A total-loss valuation answers what the vehicle is worth for settlement. Treating those as three different numbers makes an ICBC claim easier to interpret.
Open the ICBC Claims Hub →