Before filing your auto claim, here are a few things you should know or have on hand.

• Towing. You have rights when it comes to tow trucks. Here are a few things you should know to make sure you don’t fall victim to any scams:
  • Contact your preferred towing service. Do not feel obligated to use the services of a tow truck that arrives on scene.
  • You have the right to choose where your car is towed. When in doubt, call your insurer for advice or tow it to your home first.
  • Read everything a tow truck driver asks you to sign and be sure to get an itemized invoice prior to payment.
• Documentation. When you call to report a claim, here are some things you should have on hand to help the claims process move quickly:
  • Your policy number
  • Information needed to file the claim (date, time, incident details, etc.)
  • Reference documents (policy, receipts, photos of damage, police report, etc.)
• Understanding fault. This is often a confusing topic during a claim. Here are a few of the misconceptions of fault during a claim:
  • The police do not determine fault when it comes to your claim. Your insurance company will investigate to determine fault based on provincial and fault determination rules.
  • Someone is always at-fault, even if you live in a no-fault province. Each driver involved will be assigned a percentage of fault between zero to 100%.
  • If you’re found at-fault, you may have to pay a portion, or all, of the deductible to repair damages to your vehicle.