What to do if you have a collision

If you are involved in a collision, the first thing you should do is evaluate the damage.

Call the police if:

• Someone is hurt.
• You think any other driver may be guilty of a Criminal Code offence, such as driving under the influence of alcohol.
• There is significant property damage or your vehicle is not drivable.

If there are no serious injuries, try to move your vehicle to the side of the road. If your vehicle is not drivable, be sure to turn on your hazard lights or use cones or flares to alert other drivers.

Exchange information

Then exchange information with any other parties involved in the collision. Obtain the names and contact information of other parties involved in the collision, other passengers and witnesses. Also, write down any other details of the incident, including time, location and road conditions.

To help you, the Insurance Bureau of Canada has developed a collision report form. Keep a copy of the form in your glove box so you won’t have to worry about remembering what to write down. Having a disposable camera in your glove box or a camera phone can also come in handy at a time like this, so you can capture a few photographs of the scene and any damage.

Report the claim

Contact your insurance company to report the collision and the claim.

If you are an AMA auto insurance policyholder, please call us at 1-888-426-2444. We provide 24-hour claims service to our policyholders.

You can also report your auto claim online and an AMA Insurance claims representative will contact you within one business day (Monday to Friday) to process your claim.

Information provided courtesy of Insurance Bureau of Canada