Fill out an accident report form and exchange information with the other driver.

Call emergency services before anything else.

The amount depends on your policy, your coverage, and the circumstances of the accident.

You can ask your insurer about your options and choose a qualified centre.

Availability depends on the collision centre and your insurance coverage.

After a collision, pull your vehicle over safely, turn on your hazard lights, and secure the scene.

If there are injuries, a hit-and-run, or damage that requires towing, call emergency services or a tow truck. Otherwise, exchange your information and fill out an accident report form.

If no one is injured and both drivers are still on the scene, there is no need to call the police after a minor collision.

The police should be called when there is a hit-and-run, meaning one of the drivers leaves the scene. They should also be contacted if you suspect the other driver is impaired, for example by drugs or alcohol.

Emergency services should also be called if the damage prevents one of the vehicles from moving, especially if it is blocking traffic or creating a hazard on the road.

In Québec, you should fill out an accident report form when the collision is minor, as soon as possible after the accident.

However, you should not fill out the report if the collision involves injuries, regardless of how minor they may seem.

The accident report form is a solution that allows you to avoid contacting emergency services while making it easier to file a claim with your insurer.

Yes, you need to contact your insurer as soon as possible after a collision, even if you are not at fault or do not intend to file a claim.

Depending on fault and your policy, the deductible may be paid by you or recovered through the other driver’s insurer.

If the insured is found at fault, they will need to cover the deductible themselves. If the insured is found not at fault, their insurer will seek reimbursement from the at-fault driver’s insurer.

In cases of shared responsibility, the deductible is divided according to each party’s share of fault.

For a minor collision where the repair costs are lower than your deductible, it is often better not to file a claim.

Filing a claim could cause your premiums to increase for several years.

That said, whether or not you file a claim, you must always report the accident to your insurer.

Yes, you can always choose your own body shop after an accident.

Your insurer has no legal basis to require you to go to a shop in their preferred network.

That said, choosing a shop recommended by your insurer can sometimes have a few advantages, such as not having to pay out of pocket and wait for reimbursement.

You have the legal right to choose your repair shop. You are not required to use a shop recommended by your insurer.

Going to a recommended shop can sometimes speed up or simplify the process, but you are entitled to use your insurance regardless of which shop you choose.

Choosing a certified collision centre ensures that your vehicle will be repaired in accordance with the manufacturer’s standards. This protects both the manufacturer’s warranty and your vehicle’s resale value.

Bodywork repairs can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the extent of the damage and parts availability.

Working with a certified collision centre means getting a prompt, reliable estimate you can count on.

Sometimes a collision causes hidden damage that only becomes apparent once the vehicle is disassembled, which can extend the timeline. In addition, the need to have repairs validated by the insurer can sometimes add delays that are beyond the technicians’ control.

In Québec, the final invoice cannot exceed the maximum amount agreed upon.

However, if the technician discovers hidden issues that require additional work, they must contact you and get your approval before proceeding. With your consent, those additional repairs can increase the final invoice.

Yes, Europa’s liaison agents can send the estimate directly to your insurer, saving you that step.

Button: Get a collision estimate

Your entitlement to a courtesy vehicle depends on your insurance coverage and availability at the collision centre you choose.

A courtesy vehicle is loaned to you while your own vehicle is being repaired. It is typically included as part of the service.

A rental vehicle is subject to a rental agreement that allows you to use it for a set period in exchange for daily or monthly fees.

Yes, collisions generally affect resale value.

However, the impact on resale value varies depending on the severity of the damage and the quality of the repairs.

To best protect your resale value after a collision, work with a certified collision centre.

After the repairs, you should keep the itemized invoice, the estimates, and any information about the warranty on parts and labour.