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Report-a-claim in the Lower Mainland by calling 604-520-8222 or 1-800-910-4222 for the rest of B.C.

Appealing an assessment of fault

You may not agree with ICBC's assessment of who is at fault (that is, legally liable) for a crash. If so, you can request an interview with a claims manager at the ICBC claim centre where your claim is being handled. The manager or supervisor will review your concern and:

Claims Assessment Review (CAR)

Claims Assessment Review (CAR) would be used when you have a disagreement over who is at fault for an accident. There is a $50 fee for this review, which is refunded if the fault assessment is changed in your favour. The CAR is conducted by an external independent decision-maker who reviews your written submission along with the ICBC file material. The finding of the independent decision-maker is binding on ICBC, but not on you. If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of the CAR, you do have the option to further dispute assessment of fault through the courts.

CAR Process

appeal process

CAR Referral Criteria

When you are disputing ICBC's assessment of fault and the manager has been unable to resolve the matter for you, he or she will offer the CAR process application form to you if you meet the following criteria:

  1. You have not exceeded 60 days of receiving written notification of the fault assessment (ICBC CL281 letter) you are disputing. Please note: this is a requirement as the CAR application form must be submitted and received by the CAR department within this 60 day timeframe.
  2. You have not suffered an injury in the accident where you are disputing the fault assessment. If a passenger in your vehicle, or a person in another involved vehicle is injured, you would still be eligible for CAR.
  3. Fault disputes on claims where you are currently under investigation for fraud are excluded.
  4. You must be insured by ICBC (basic coverage minimum). For example, pedestrians, cyclists and disputing parties from out of province would not be eligible for ICBC's CAR process.
  5. All local claim centre dispute remedies must be exhausted prior to referral to CAR. i.e.- the manager must be involved and have attempted to resolve your dispute before he or she can refer you to the CAR process.
  6. You, or your lawyer, have not commenced a legal action (writ) on the accident, unless it is an action that has been commenced in Small Claims Court, for "liability only."

For more information on the CAR process or other ICBC internal dispute remedies, ask the manager you are dealing with. Alternatively, you can contact ICBC's Fair Practices Review department at:

151 West Esplanade
North Vancouver, B.C. V7M 3H9
Telephone: (604) 661-6210 or,
Toll-free 1-800-445-9981
Fax: (604) 661-2896