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CANADIAN INSURANCE TERM

Claim

A request by an insured person or other eligible claimant for payment, benefits or another response under an insurance policy after a loss or event.

Plain-language definition. A real policy, endorsement and provincial law can use more specific wording than a glossary summary.
UpdatedAugust 31, 2026
ByCanada Rate Lab Editorial Team
SourcesIBC + primary sources
MethodologySource-led research
TERM SNAPSHOT
TermClaim
ContextCanadian insurance
Source typeIndustry glossary
Policy wordingControls claim

What does Claim mean?

A request by an insured person or other eligible claimant for payment, benefits or another response under an insurance policy after a loss or event.

Filing a claim does not automatically mean the insurer will pay the full requested amount. Coverage, exclusions, deductibles, limits and claim facts still have to be assessed.

EXAMPLE

Claim in practice

After insured water damage, a homeowner may report the loss, document damage and submit a claim for the insurer to assess under the policy.

Related Canada Rate Lab guides

Ontario Water DamageTenant Claims GuideAfter an Accident in Ontario
Browse the glossary A–Z →

Claims Adjuster

A person who investigates and evaluates an insurance claim, gathers information and helps determine how the policy applies to the reported loss.

Deductible

An agreed amount the insured person is responsible for paying on a covered claim before the insurer pays the remaining eligible amount.

Policy Limit

The maximum amount an insurer will pay for a covered loss, coverage or policy period, subject to the specific wording of the policy.

Primary reference

Insurance Bureau of Canada — Insurance GlossaryCanada Rate Lab — Sources & Data