01
Ensure your safety
Your safety and that of others must always come first.
- Call 911 in an emergency
- Evacuate the premises if necessary
- Avoid any further danger
- Get the medical care you need
Claims & losses
What to do
in case of a claim?
An accident, water damage, theft or fire can happen fast. Here are the steps to follow to protect your belongings, limit the damage and speed up the handling of your insurance claim.
The first steps to take
Whether it's a car accident, water damage at home or a loss affecting your business, the first actions you take can have a major impact on how quickly your claim is settled.
02
Limit the damage
Take reasonable steps to keep the loss from getting worse.
- Shut off the water or electricity when needed
- Secure the premises
- Protect undamaged property
- Keep receipts for emergency expenses
03
Document the situation
Before carrying out any repairs or cleanup:
- Take photos and videos
- Note the circumstances of the event
- Make an inventory of the damaged property
- Keep invoices and proof of purchase
04
Contact your insurer quickly
The sooner a claim is reported, the more efficient the handling can be.
Car accident
In the event of a car accident
Beyond the first steps, a few reflexes are specific to a road accident.
- Make sure everyone is safe
- Move the vehicles out of traffic when possible
- Take photos of the vehicles, the damage and the scene
Collect the information of everyone involved
- Full name
- Phone number
- Address
- Driver's licence number
- Licence plate number
- Insurer's name
- Insurance policy number
- Vehicle make, model and year
- Identify any witnesses and collect their contact information if possible
- Fill out a joint report when the situation allows
- Avoid admitting fault at the scene of the accident
Quick checklist
Information to collect after a car accident
To make processing your car insurance claim easier, write down:
- The contact information of the drivers involved
- The contact information of the witnesses
- The licence plate numbers
- The insurance information
- The date, time and location of the accident
- The photos of the damage and the scene
This information will help your insurer analyze the circumstances of the accident more quickly and handle your file more efficiently.
Home claim
What to do in case of water damage, fire or theft?
Water damage
- Shut off the main water supply
- Cut the electricity if necessary
- Call an emergency response company
- Document all the damage
Fire
- Do not enter the building before the authorities allow it
- Photograph the damage when it is safe to do so
- Keep receipts for temporary housing and emergency expenses
Theft or vandalism
- Contact the police
- Secure the property
- Prepare a list of the stolen or damaged property
Business claim
What to do when a loss affects your business?
Property damage
- Keep employees and customers safe
- Restrict access to the affected areas
- Protect equipment and inventory
- Document the losses
Business interruption
- Assess the impact on operations
- Keep evidence of lost revenue
- Keep invoices related to emergency measures
Cyber incident
- Isolate the affected systems
- Contact your IT providers immediately
- Keep event logs and evidence
- Report the incident promptly
Getting ready
Before you file your claim
Have on hand:
- Your policy number
- The date and time of the event
- The address of the loss
- A detailed description of the damage
- The relevant photos and documents
Report your claim
Contact details for major insurers
You can report your claim directly to your insurer. Our team remains available to support you through the process.
Intact Assurance
Northbridge Assurance
Optimum Général
Other insurer
Your insurer isn't on this list?
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about claims
Not necessarily. In some cases, when the damage is minor or close to the deductible amount, it can be worthwhile to consult your broker before opening a file.
The timeline varies depending on the complexity of the loss, the damage sustained and the assessments required.
Emergency measures are generally allowed. Permanent repairs should usually be approved by the insurer first.
Yes. Your broker can support you, answer your questions and ease communications with the insurer throughout the process.
Support
Need support?
Our team remains available to guide you through the process and answer your questions about your claim or your insurance coverage.
We support our clients through car insurance, home insurance and business insurance claims across Québec. Whether it's an accident, water damage, a fire, a theft, a cyber incident or a business interruption, our team is available to guide you every step of the way.