Fire damage claims
A fire damage claim is covered under Comprehensive or Specified Perils insurance. A deductible applies, and you may also have police and fire reports of the incident.
What's the process?
Here is the process you can expect to go through for a fire claim:
| Stage | Who... | Does what... |
| 1 | Customer | Gets police and fire reports |
| 2 | Customer | Calls Dial-a-Claim |
| 3 | Customer | Meets with adjuster at claim centre |
| 4 | Estimator | Estimates vehicle damage |
| 5 | Customer | Pays deductible to repair shop |
Stage 1: Customer gets police and fire reports
If the police and fire departments attended, there will be report file numbers from both emergency services. Be sure to note the police and fire file numbers before calling Dial-a-Claim. If there is no attendance by the police and fire departments, your adjuster will complete a fire report for the Office of the Fire Commissioner.
Stage 2: Customer calls ICBC's Dial-a-Claim
Dial-a-Claim is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please call 604-520-8222 from the Lower Mainland or 1-800-910-4222 elsewhere in B.C.
After taking your report, Dial-a-Claim staff will either:
- handle your claim for you and direct you to an ICBC-approved c.a.r. shop Valet facility if this is a “no flame” situation, or
- arrange an appointment at an ICBC claim centre for you to see an adjuster and an estimator.
Stage 3: Customer meets with adjuster at claim centre
Your adjuster will take your statement report, including whether you notified your local fire department and whether an incident number was assigned.
Stage 4: Estimator estimate vehicle damage
If your vehicle is not repairable, then the Actual Cash Value (ACV) will be determined for a writeoff. If your vehicle is repairable, a repair sheet will be provided to you or the shop of your choice, depending upon whether your vehicle is driveable.
If your vehicle is not repairable and deemed a writeoff, you will receive a total loss settlement and you will need to sign a salvage release. Your vehicle would then be sent to our Salvage Department where it would be properly disposed of. Find out more about writeoffs.
Stage 5: Customer pays Comprehensive or Specified Perils deductible
For fire claims, you will need to pay the Comprehensive or Specified Perils deductible. This is the amount you have to pay toward repairs or costs before your insurance kicks in to pay for the rest.