Auto Claims

Auto Insurance Claims Help

Been in an accident, found damage on your vehicle, or need help deciding whether to open an auto insurance claim? Start here. Reliable Insurance Brokers can help you understand your deductible, your coverage, and the possible impact a claim may have on future renewals.

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Not sure whether to make an auto claim? Speak with a Broker: 1-289-812-4225

If anyone is injured, in danger, or there is an emergency, call 911 first. Once everyone is safe, use this page to understand what to do next.

When should I make an auto insurance claim?

Does the damage or loss exceed my policy deductible?

We highly recommend speaking with a Reliable Broker before making a claim, if it is possible and safe to do so. We can help you understand the details of your policy, your deductible, and the potential financial impact a claim may have on future insurance renewals.

For example, if you return to your parked vehicle and find that someone scratched the car, but you do not have the other person’s information, your comprehensive deductible may apply. If the damage is less than your deductible, it may not make sense to make a claim. Give us a call and we can help guide you toward the right decision.

Was the damage caused by a sudden and unexpected occurrence?

Auto insurance is generally designed to respond to sudden and unexpected losses. It is not intended to cover regular maintenance, mechanical breakdown caused by neglect, or wear and tear.

For example, if you forget to change the oil in your car and the engine seizes, that type of mechanical breakdown would unfortunately not usually be covered. If you are unsure whether something may be covered, call us before opening a claim. We are here to help.

Does my policy cover this type of damage or loss?

Before opening a claim, it is a good idea to check whether your policy includes the coverage needed for the loss or damage you want to report. This is why having a Reliable Broker on your side matters.

We help you navigate your policy, understand your coverage, and select the right protection before a claim ever happens. If you are not sure whether you are covered, call us before contacting the insurance company to make a claim.

I was in a car accident. What should I do?

1. Get to a safe place

Pull over to a safe spot if you can do so safely. Check yourself, your passengers, and anyone else involved for injuries. If someone is injured, do not move them unless there is immediate danger.

2. Call 911 if needed

Call 911 if there are injuries, danger, suspected impaired driving, criminal activity, or an emergency. Try to stay calm and make sure you know where you are so help can find you.

3. Follow police instructions

If the accident is not an emergency, call your local police or collision reporting centre for further instructions. In Ontario, collisions generally need to be reported when there are injuries, damage to highway property, or total property damage that appears to exceed $5,000.

Auto Claim Tips

After an accident or vehicle loss, the information you collect can make the claims process much smoother. Only collect information when it is safe to do so, and never put yourself or others at risk.

Take photos

Take pictures of the vehicle damage, licence plates, accident location, road conditions, traffic signs, and anything else that may help explain what happened.

Write down what happened

At the first opportunity, when you are in a safe place, write down what happened. A simple sketch of the accident can help you remember the details later.

Do not guess

Stick to the facts when speaking with police, your broker, or your insurance company. Avoid guessing about fault, speed, damage amounts, or coverage.

Information to collect at the scene

  • Other driver’s name
  • Other driver’s address
  • Other driver’s telephone number
  • Other driver’s licence number
  • Other driver’s insurance company
  • Other driver’s policy number
  • Other driver’s vehicle description
  • Other driver’s licence plate number
  • Witness information, including name and phone number
  • Photos of the damage, vehicles, licence plates, and accident location

Before opening a claim, call Reliable Insurance Brokers if you are unsure. We can help you understand your deductible, your policy coverage, and the best next step.

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Need Help?

Talk to Reliable before you claim

A claim can affect your deductible, claim history, and future insurance renewals. If you are unsure whether to make an auto claim, contact a Reliable Broker first. We can help you review the situation and decide what makes sense.

Ready to report directly?

Use our insurance company claims contacts page to find claims phone numbers, online claim reporting links, and the information you may need before starting your claim.

Insurance Company Claims Contacts

Minor Accidents in Ontario

Not every fender bender needs to become an insurance claim right away. In Ontario, a minor accident usually means there are no injuries, no emergency, the vehicles can be moved safely, and the damage appears limited. Even then, it is important to understand the difference between reporting an accident to police and deciding whether to make an insurance claim.

The $5,000 damage rule

In Ontario, a collision generally must be reported to police when the combined vehicle damage appears to exceed $5,000. This means the total apparent damage from the accident, not just the damage to your own vehicle.

Minor does not mean ignore it

Even if the damage appears to be under $5,000, you should still exchange information, take photos, write down what happened, and contact a Reliable Broker if you are unsure whether to involve your insurance company.

When to call police

Call police if anyone is injured, if there is danger, if a driver is impaired or uncooperative, if a vehicle is uninsured, or if there is damage to private, municipal, or highway property.

How a minor accident usually works

  • Move to safety first. If the vehicles are drivable and it is safe to do so, move them out of traffic.
  • Check for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately.
  • Estimate the total damage. The $5,000 threshold is based on the apparent combined damage from the collision.
  • Exchange information. Get the other driver’s name, address, phone number, licence number, plate number, insurance company, and policy number.
  • Take photos. Photograph the vehicles, licence plates, damage, road conditions, traffic signs, and the accident location.
  • Speak with your broker before claiming. If it is safe and practical, call Reliable Insurance Brokers before opening a claim so we can help you review your deductible, coverage, and possible renewal impact.

A small accident can still become expensive once parts, sensors, cameras, labour, and paint are included. If you are unsure whether the damage is close to the $5,000 reporting threshold, contact the local police, a collision reporting centre, or a Reliable Broker for guidance.

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