If you have a car accident, you should always call the dial-a-claim center at the ICBC within 24 hours. When you call, be prepared to answer some questions. The representative will want to know information about your car or truck, your insurance, and the driver/owner of the vehicle. You’ll also need to provide details of the wreck and discuss whether you or any passengers in your vehicle sustained an injury.

You’ll need to provide the following, specifically:

• Your registration and license plate numbers.
• The full name of the person who was driving the vehicle at the time of the accident, and his or her license number.
• The full names, driver’s license, and license plate numbers of the other people and cars that were parties to the wreck.
• Where and when the accident took place.
• Your opinion as to whether the act was your fault and whether you have any liability for the wreck.
• Information on the injuries other parties sustained.
• Any general accident details you’re asked about by the representative.

Be aware that the dial-a-claim representative you’re talking to at ICBC will be filling out a CL-75 while he or she is talking to you. That’s an internal form ICBC uses to collect all the proper details of an accident. Think carefully about what you say and be very honest with the claim representative. Everything you say will be recorded on the form. If there is a claim against your insurance coverage, ICBC will use the information on that form in determining whether to pay. Remember that whatever you tell them can later be used against you and withholding details or providing misleading information can have negative consequences on your claim. There’s no need for extra information beyond what you’re specifically asked by the representative.

There are specific contact numbers you should call for the ICBC’s dial-a claim service. If you’re in the Lower Mainland, the number is 604-520-8222. For people outside the Lower Mainland, call 1-800-910-4222. To make out of Province claims, the number to call is 604-592-8800. If you don’t call the right number, the representative will instruct you on who you should be contacting. Don’t forget, regardless of the kind of accident you’re involved in, you should always call the dial-a-claim service at the ICBC before 24 hours passes. The faster you get in touch, the better.

If there weren’t any injuries from the accident and it wasn’t a hit and run, you have the option of reporting your claim online 24 hours a day, rather than waiting to call a representative during business hours. An adjuster will process your claim, generally within a day’s time, and a claim report notice will be posted online for you. You can retrieve that and save it for your records, so you’ll have it to refer to if there are further questions about your accident.