1. Check for injuries
Call 911 if anyone is hurt. Move vehicles out of traffic only if it's safe to do so, and put your hazards on.
ICBC Claims
Your ICBC claim, handled properly
Most people deal with an ICBC claim once or twice in their life. We deal with them every week. Here's exactly how the process works — and which parts of it we take off your hands.
First Things First
What to do right after a collision
Do these five things at the scene and the rest of the claim gets considerably easier.
2. Photograph everything
Damage to both vehicles, the position they ended up in, plates, the road and any signage. More photos is always better than fewer.
3. Exchange details
Name, driver's licence number, plate number, insurance details and phone number for every driver involved. Get contact details for any witnesses too.
4. Report it to ICBC
Call ICBC Dial-a-Claim at 1-800-910-4222, or 604-520-8222 from the Lower Mainland. You can also report online at icbc.com. You'll be given a claim number — keep it handy.
5. Choose your shop
This part is yours to decide. Bring us the claim number and we'll take it from there — including the conversation with your adjuster.
Don't drive it if it isn't safe
Fluid leaks, poor steering, damaged lights or a deployed airbag all mean the vehicle stays put. Call us and we'll arrange towing.
Omega Autobody
Our Part
What we handle for you
Omega Autobody is an accredited member of the ICBC Repair Network. Accreditation means ICBC has assessed our equipment, our training and the quality of our repairs against their standards — and it means we can complete your estimate here rather than sending you to a claim centre first.
Once you have reported the incident and have a claim number, the rest of the work is documentation: photographs, damage reports, parts lists, labour times and, where hidden damage appears, supplement requests. All of that is our job, not yours.
You'll get a written estimate you can actually read, we'll explain what your coverage does and doesn't include, and we'll keep you updated as the repair moves. If something changes, you hear it from us before it becomes a problem.
Damage documentation
Photographed, itemized and submitted in the format ICBC expects, so the file doesn't stall.
Adjuster liaison
We deal with your adjuster directly. You don't need to relay technical questions between two parties.
Supplements
Hidden damage is common once panels come off. We document it and request the supplement rather than quietly cutting corners to stay inside the original number.
Deductible clarity
We'll tell you what you're likely to owe and when — before the work starts.
Replacement vehicle
Arranged where your coverage allows, or through us where it doesn't.
Know This
You choose the shop. Not ICBC.
This is the single most useful thing to know about a claim in British Columbia: where your vehicle gets repaired is your decision. ICBC may recommend a facility, and you're free to use one — but you are not obliged to, and no one can assign a shop to you without your agreement.
If you'd like us to repair your vehicle, simply say so when you report the claim, or tell your adjuster afterwards. It's a sentence, and it's yours to say.
- Your choice of repair facility, always
- You can change your mind before repairs begin
- You're entitled to a copy of your estimate
- You can ask what parts are being used and why
Common Questions
ICBC claims, answered plainly
Can I choose my own repair shop?
Yes. In British Columbia the choice of repair facility is yours. ICBC may suggest a shop, but you are under no obligation to use it, and a facility cannot be assigned to you without your agreement.
Do I have to pay my deductible?
It depends on fault. If ICBC determines you weren't responsible for the collision, you generally won't pay a deductible. If you're held fully or partly responsible, it applies. Fault is ICBC's determination — a repair shop has no say in it, and anyone who tells you otherwise is guessing.
Should I claim, or just pay for the repair myself?
If the repair comes in near or below your deductible, paying directly is usually the better move — you avoid the deductible and any effect on your premium. We'll quote the job both ways so you can make that call on real numbers instead of guessing. For smaller dents in particular, paintless dent repair often lands well under a typical deductible.
How long will my repair take?
A bumper or single-panel repair is commonly two to four days. Structural work usually runs one to three weeks, depending on parts availability and what's found once the panels come off. You'll get a timeline with your estimate, and we'll tell you promptly if it moves — we'd rather give you a date we can hold than one you'd prefer to hear.
What if you find more damage after starting?
It happens on a lot of collision jobs — impact damage frequently hides behind panels. We photograph what we find, submit a supplement request to ICBC, and let you know. Work on the additional damage doesn't start until it's authorized.
Will you use original manufacturer parts?
Which parts are covered depends on your policy, the age of the vehicle and what ICBC authorizes. We'll tell you exactly what's specified on your estimate, and if you'd prefer OEM parts where an aftermarket equivalent has been authorized, you can usually pay the difference. You'll never find out after the fact what went on your vehicle.
Do you provide a courtesy or replacement vehicle?
Yes — ask when you book. If your ICBC coverage includes a rental, we'll arrange that on your behalf. If it doesn't, we may be able to provide a courtesy vehicle from our own fleet depending on availability.
What warranty comes with the repair?
Omega Autobody provides a written lifetime workmanship warranty covering our labour for as long as you own the vehicle. Parts carry their own manufacturer warranties, which we'll note on your invoice. You get the warranty document when you collect the vehicle — you don't have to ask for it.
Ready When You Are
Have a claim number? Let's get started.
Send us your claim number and a few photos of the damage, and we'll begin the estimate today.