What does the Insurance Claims Process Look like

November 3, 2023

Car Accidents in Ontario
The accident claim process can be daunting and it can feel like an eternity of waiting. You would expect it to take no more than a week, maybe two weeks, but then you realize that it can take much much longer. So, what happens once that claim is made through your insurance company?

1. Reviewing

Your adjuster will review your claim and investigate the details submitted. They’ll also review your individual policy to understand what is eligible and ineligible to be covered.

2. Interviewing

Your adjuster will undoubtedly reach out to you to confirm details of the claim and obtain subjective information - this would include your thought process at the time, a recount of events, a description of the vehicles, medical reports and the adjuster may ask you to submit any additional physical pieces of evidence (such as photos, videos, etc.) to aid the investigation. The adjuster will also reach out to all individuals involved in the accident including the passengers and any witnesses that were present.

3. Researching

Your adjuster will then spend some time reviewing the claim and details, the damages, the cost of the damages, the year and make of the car and various other aspects to finally determine an estimate to share with you.

4. Communicating

Your adjuster will eventually come back to you to discuss what your options are to settle the claim or if the claim is denied. They will lay out the settlement options and it is up to you to decide if you want to take the estimate or not. Once you decide what you want to do, the adjuster will give you the payment details.

End Note: before you decide to settle with your adjuster (even before your adjuster comes back with options) it might be wise to do some research:

  • Review your policy by yourself
  • Research similar cases to your own
  • Create an estimate for yourself that you know you’d be entitled to
  • Speak with an injury lawyer - various firms only take payments once they win a case, the process can take months (even years) however, you may be entitled to more