No ESI data
Skip to main content
surex logo
Start a quote
  • Car Insurance
  • Home Insurance
  • Condo Insurance
  • Tenant Insurance
  • Bundle
  • More Insurance
    • Motorcycle
    • ATV
    • Snowmobile
    • RV/Trailer
    • Business
    • Farm
    • Boat
    • Travel
    • Landlord
  • Blog
  • MySurex
  • MySurex
  • Car Insurance
  • Home Insurance
  • Bundle
  • Condo Insurance
  • Tenant Insurance
  • Motorcycle
  • ATV
  • Snowmobile
  • RV/Trailer
  • Business
  • Farm
  • Boat
  • Travel
  • Landlord
  • Blog
  1. Home
  2. Blog
  3. The Aftermath From Being Involved in a Car Accident

The Aftermath From Being Involved in a Car Accident

Nov 9, 2016
5 min. read
  • Facebook
  • Linkedin
  • X
The Aftermath From Being Involved in a Car Accident

The number of car accidents in Canada continues to climb, at an alarming rate. According to an Allstate Canada Safe Driver Study in 2015, automobile accidents increased 7.3% in 2014 compared to 2013. The study also found that Ajax, Ontario and Halifax, Nova Scotia were the leading Canadian cities with 7.12 accidents per 100 cars. Comparatively, Spruce Grove, Alberta registered with a Canadian low of 3.43 accidents per 100 cars.

If you are involved in a collision with another vehicle, you will want to exchange information with the other party. The Edmonton Police Service website cites the following as what you need to exchange with the other person when involved in an accident: insurance, registration, name and drivers licence number.

RCMP Police car in front of people Canada

Just because you exchange information doesn’t, necessarily, mean you will be involved in a claim for that accident. In minor accidents, those involved can mutually agree to compensation without involving their insurance companies or police.

That said, if the total, combined damage to the vehicles involved is over $2,000, you must notify the police and file a Collision Report Form. Failure to notify the police of an accident with $2,000 or more worth of damage can result in a fine. In Alberta, that fine is $287.

Filing an Insurance Claim

If the result of your accident requires opening an insurance claim, even if you are not at-fault in the accident, you will want to notify your insurance provider and start a claim. To ensure all your proverbial bases are covered, you should open a claim to make sure the appropriate actions happen.

For instance, if you are not at-fault in an accident and trusted the other party involved to look after the insurance side of things, what would happen if they delayed? What if they reported inaccurate information regarding the accident? What if they didn’t file the claim at all?

Whether you are at-fault or not, you should be opening a claim with your insurance provider.

Pen on top of insurance claim form

Here is the information you will need to file an insurance claim for a car accident:

  • Time of accident
  • Date of accident
  • Location of accident
  • Description of accident
  • Photos of accident (if possible)
  • Police report (if possible)

Also, check out one of our articles on hail damage auto insurance claim to have an idea about auto claims for events considered to be outside of human control. 

Factoring Your Deductible

Your insurance deductible is the amount of money you, the insured, agreed to pay in order to activate your insurance plan. Most deductibles are $250, $500 or $1,000. Depending on the severity of the accident, it’s a good idea to consider the implications of activating your insurance policy in a minor accident.

If you are at-fault in a minor accident, you may want to explore the option - assuming the other party involved approves - of paying the costs to fix their vehicle, and yours (if needed), out of your own pocket.

Say you have minor fixes on your vehicle and the cost to fix the other vehicle involved is $1,000. If your deductible is $500, is it in your best interest to go through insurance to pay for the damage?

pen, calculator on top of Canadian pink 50 dollar bills next to keyboard

When you are at-fault in an accident, unless you have claims forgiveness, your insurance premiums will go up. If you want to shop the market to lower your insurance costs, you will not receive a claims-free discount (which can save up to 15% on your annual premium amount). Of course, it can be tough financially to part with $1,000 up front instead of $500 but, if possible, know there’s a big chance it will save you money in the long run.

Insurance Options Post-Accident

Unfortunately, many people may be unhappy with the way their existing insurance provider handled their accident or may not like their new insurance rate post-accident.

Surex is Canada’s fastest growing online insurance brokerage. Having partnered with over 10 insurance companies, Surex offers a 100% transparent pricing model for consumers to see what companies are willing to take on their business, and at what price. In 5-10 minutes, consumers can receive up to 10 offers. Your personal broker will verify your price and make sure you are taking advantage of discounts available to you, despite your accident. From there, you can sign your documents online through e-signature and have instant proof of insurance.

‘’No one ever wants to be involved in an automobile accident,’’ Matthew Alston, COO of Surex, said. ‘’In the unfortunate chance you are involved in an accident, our first hope is that you and the people involved are safe. From there, we pride ourselves on providing services that benefit our existing customers, as well as those that are now shopping the market.’’

Find the best insurance rates today.

START A QUOTE
Share this article
  • Facebook
  • Linkedin
  • X

Related Articles

People reviewing their coverage
  • Home & Condo

The Rise of Underinsurance: What Every Homeowner Needs to Know

Many Canadians face unexpected costs after disasters due to underinsurance. Learn how to assess coverage, avoid gaps, and protect your home.

May 1, 2025
6 min. read
Read Article
car driving on road with potholes
  • Auto

Potholes and Car Damage: How to Stay Protected This Spring

Spring brings potholes—hidden road hazards that can damage your car. Learn how to avoid them and why proper insurance coverage is essential.

Apr 30, 2025
6 min. read
Read Article
Shipping port
  • Auto
  • Home & Condo

Tariffs and Trade Wars: How They Will Affect Your Home and Auto Insurance Rates

Trump's tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China impact industries like insurance by raising costs on goods. Retaliatory tariffs and economic tensions continue as the U.S. cites immigration and drug concerns.

Apr 16, 2025
6 min. read
Read Article
surex logo
  • Contact Us
    • support@surex.com
    • 1-855-MYSUREX
  • Insurance
    • Auto
    • Home
    • Bundle
    • Business
    • Condo/Strata
    • Tenant
    • Farm
    • Travel
    • Motorcycle
    • Snowmobile
    • Trailer and RV
    • Boat
    • ATV
    • Landlord
  • Our Process
    • Why Surex?
    • How it Works
    • Find an Advisor
    • Carriers
    • File a Claim
    • FAQ
    • Our Insurance
    • Commission Disclosure
    • Payments
    • Valued Partners
    • Sitemap
    • Glossary
  • Company
    • About Us
    • Careers
    • Blog
    • Contact Us
    • In the News
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reviews
  • social media-insta Created with Sketch.
  • social media-facebook Created with Sketch.
  • social media-twitter Created with Sketch.
  • social media-linkedin Created with Sketch.

Copyright © 2011 surexdirect.com Ltd. All rights reserved.
® INSURANCE MARKETPLACE is a registered trademark of surexdirect.com Ltd.

Surex
Start an insurance quote now
START FREE QUOTE NOW

Surex uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to our Privacy Policy.