After a collision, deal with safety first, then contact your insurer. Claims reporting, roadside assistance, policy service and your broker’s office serve different purposes.
Emergency help comes first
Call 911 for serious injuries, fire or an immediate danger. An insurance hotline cannot replace emergency services. For a non-emergency collision requiring police reporting, follow the police instructions where the collision occurred. Do not assume every situation is suitable for driving directly to a collision reporting centre.
Start with your policy and official websites
Identify the insurer named on your policy. Use its claims instructions, official app or website. A-Z Insurance’s claims contact page can help you find the right starting point; confirm the details against your policy and the insurer’s current website.
CAA roadside assistance and CAA insurance claims are separate services. Use the official CAA Insurance claims page rather than assuming a roadside assistance number reports an insurance claim. Other insurers may also have separate claims, repair, billing and customer-service channels.
This article points to the contact directory instead of duplicating a phone list that could become outdated. If your insurer is not listed, consult your policy or its official website.
When should you notify the insurer?
In Ontario, report an auto accident involving injury or property damage to your insurer within seven days, or as soon as possible if you could not do so. Do not wait for a repair estimate or completed police report. Police reporting and insurance notification have separate requirements; there is no single 24-hour rule for completing every step with every insurer. FSRA’s post-accident guidance.
Some insurers take new claim reports around the clock. This does not mean every adjuster, broker’s office or claim decision is available 24/7.
Have these details ready
- Policy number, licence plate and vehicle details
- Collision date, location, description and any injuries
- Other drivers’ contact, vehicle and insurance information
- Photographs and witness details collected safely
- Any police incident number already available; explain if it is still pending
Record the claim number, contact person and next steps. Coverage, fault, repairs and deductibles depend on the actual policy and investigation.
If you need help identifying your insurer or the right department, contact A-Z Insurance at 905-707-2929 or info@azinsure.ca. Office advice is not emergency assistance. For a time-sensitive new claim, use your insurer’s official reporting channel directly.