Filing an insurance claim can feel overwhelming, especially in the middle of a car accident, property damage or a serious health event. This guide walks through the process step by step for auto, home, life and travel insurance in Canada: what to do first, what to document, and what happens at each stage. It is part of the travel, pet and other insurance hub, which also covers the cross-cutting topics of deductibles, brokers and premiums.
Auto insurance claims
Immediately after an accident
- Ensure safety. Move to a safe location if possible, and call 911 if anyone is injured.
- Exchange information. Name, insurance company, policy number, licence plate and driver’s licence number.
- Document everything. Photos of the damage, road conditions, traffic signs and all vehicles involved.
- Get witness contact information. Names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the accident.
- Report to police when the law requires it. In Ontario, you must report a collision to police when anyone is injured or damage to vehicles or other property exceeds $5,000. Other provinces set their own rules.
- Use a Collision Reporting Centre where police direct you to one. In parts of Ontario, collisions that don’t need police at the scene are reported at a Collision Reporting Centre.
Filing the claim
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1. Report to your insurer | Call or use the app to report the collision promptly; the Insurance Bureau of Canada advises within 48 to 72 hours, even if you decide not to claim |
| 2. Provide documentation | Photos, police report number if there is one, the other driver’s information |
| 3. Adjuster assigned | The insurer assigns a claims adjuster to your file |
| 4. Vehicle inspection | The adjuster or an approved shop inspects the damage |
| 5. Estimate approved | The insurer approves the repair estimate |
| 6. Repairs completed | The shop completes the repairs |
| 7. Payment issued | You pay any deductible that applies; the insurer pays the rest |
If the adjuster decides the repair would cost more than the car is worth, the car is declared a total loss and the claim becomes a cash settlement instead of a repair. How that valuation works, and how to dispute it, is covered in what to do when your car is written off.
At-fault vs not-at-fault
| Scenario | Your deductible | Your premiums | Process |
|---|---|---|---|
| You are at fault | You pay your collision deductible | Likely to increase | Claim through your collision coverage |
| Other driver at fault | Often none for the share you’re not at fault for, depending on province and policy | Should not increase | In provinces with direct compensation for property damage (DCPD), your own insurer pays for your car’s damage; elsewhere the claim may go against the other driver’s insurance |
| Hit and run | Depends on your coverage and province | Depends on the insurer | Report to police; claim under the coverage your province and policy provide |
| Single vehicle (you hit a pole) | You pay your collision deductible | Likely to increase | Claim through your collision coverage |
Fault and deductible rules differ by province, especially in provinces with public auto insurance; the car insurance hub covers each province.
How a deductible applies to each coverage, and when a small claim costs more in future premiums than it pays, is explained in insurance deductibles explained and why insurance premiums rise at renewal.
Home insurance claims
Immediate steps after damage
- Prevent further damage. Shut off water, cover broken windows, and turn off electricity if water is near wiring.
- Document damage. Take photos and videos before cleaning up or making temporary repairs.
- Keep damaged items. Keep damaged items unless they are dangerous, and confirm with your insurer before disposing of anything.
- Make temporary repairs. Cover a leaking roof or board up broken windows to prevent further damage, and keep the receipts; ask your insurer which of these costs it will reimburse.
- Keep receipts. For all temporary repairs, hotel stays and emergency expenses.
Filing the claim
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1. Report to insurer | Call your insurer’s claims line as soon as you can, with complete, accurate details |
| 2. Adjuster review | An adjuster reviews the loss, examines your documents and explains the next steps |
| 3. Document losses | List all damaged, destroyed or stolen items with receipts, proofs of purchase and photos |
| 4. Proof of loss | Complete the insurer’s proof of loss form if asked; you sign and swear the statements are true |
| 5. Repair estimates | The insurer may ask for estimates for major repairs |
| 6. Payment issued | The insurer pays you (minus the deductible) or pays contractors directly |
Tips for home claims
- A home inventory (a list and photos of your belongings) speeds up claims considerably.
- Replacement cost vs actual cash value: replacement cost pays what it costs to buy new; actual cash value deducts depreciation.
- Renovations that weren’t reported to the insurer may not be covered.
- Admitting fault to anyone before speaking with your insurer can complicate the claim.
Life insurance claims
How to file a life insurance claim
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1. Locate the policy | Find the policy document or contact the insurer directly |
| 2. Notify the insurer | Call the insurer’s claims department; provide the policy number |
| 3. Submit required documents | Death certificate (certified copy), completed claim form, beneficiary ID |
| 4. Insurer reviews | The insurer verifies the claim and the documents |
| 5. Benefit paid | A one-time, tax-free death benefit paid to the named beneficiary |
How life insurance policies and beneficiaries work is covered in the life, health and disability insurance hub.
Common reasons life insurance claims are delayed or denied
| Reason | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Missing documents | Ensure you have a certified death certificate and completed forms |
| Policy lapse (premiums not paid) | Check if a grace period applies; some policies have automatic premium loans |
| Contestability period (first 2 years) | After a policy has been in effect for 2 years, the insurer generally can’t void it for misrepresentation unless there was fraud; within 2 years it may investigate the application |
| Misrepresentation on application | If the deceased did not disclose health information accurately |
| Excluded cause of death | Check policy exclusions (suicide within the exclusion period the policy sets, illegal activity) |
Travel insurance claims
Steps to file
- Get medical treatment. Health comes first.
- Call the insurer’s emergency assistance line. Most policies require a call before non-emergency treatment.
- Keep all receipts. Medical bills, prescriptions, accommodation and transportation.
- Get medical reports. Written reports from the treating physicians.
- File the claim. Submit all documentation within the deadline set in your policy.
What to document
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Medical receipts and invoices | Proof of expenses |
| Doctor’s reports | Medical necessity |
| Airline/hotel change receipts | Trip interruption costs |
| Police report (if theft) | Proof of loss for baggage claims |
| Pharmacy receipts | Prescription costs |
What your provincial plan pays toward care abroad, and so how much of the bill the travel policy has to cover, is set out in is travel insurance worth it.
If your claim is turned down
A refusal is not always final. Ask for a written explanation that cites the policy clause the insurer relies on, gather any further evidence, and appeal to the insurer. If it upholds the decision, independent ombudservices (GIO for home, auto and business insurance, OLHI for life and health) review complaints at no cost. The full appeal process, limitation periods by province and signs of bad faith are in what to do when an insurance claim is denied.
Habits that help any claim
- Report promptly. Delays give an insurer grounds to question a claim.
- Document everything. Photos, videos, receipts and written records.
- Follow policy requirements. If the insurer asks for repair estimates or a proof of loss, provide them.
- Be accurate. Exaggerating a claim is fraud and can void the entire policy.
- Keep copies of everything you submit.
- Keep a claims diary of every call: date, time, name and what was discussed.
A broker can also handle much of this on your behalf; see insurance broker vs buying direct.
Related Reading
Sources
The figures and rules on this page come from these sources, last checked against them on September 25, 2026. How we check facts.
- Government of Ontario: Dealing with emergencies | The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook