Quick answer: Usually not. After you report your claim to ICBC online or by phone, ICBC will tell you where to get your damage estimate. In most cases you can take your vehicle straight to an ICBC Repair Network shop, which can estimate and repair it in one place and bill ICBC directly. ICBC only asks you to visit a claim centre for some claims, and they’ll tell you if yours is one of them.
A collision can rattle even the most careful driver, and the questions start right away. Who do I call? Where does my car go? Do I have to drive to an ICBC claim centre and wait in line? For most drivers in Langley and the surrounding Fraser Valley, the process is simpler than it used to be. Here’s how it works, step by step.
Step 1: Get safe and document the scene
Move to a safe spot if you can, check on everyone involved, and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Police should also be called if you suspect an impaired driver or the other driver leaves the scene.
Before you leave, collect:
- The other driver’s name, phone number, address and driver’s licence number
- Their insurance details and licence plate number
- The make, model and colour of every vehicle involved
- Names and phone numbers of any witnesses
- Photos of all vehicles, the damage, the road, signs and signals, and any skid marks
Good photos and witness details help ICBC determine responsibility, especially for minor collisions where police don’t attend.
Step 2: Report your claim to ICBC
Every claim starts with ICBC, and you don’t need to go anywhere in person to report it. You can report online or by calling Dial-a-Claim at 604-520-8222 in the Lower Mainland (1-800-910-4222 elsewhere in BC, Canada or the US). The phone line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Report as soon as you can while the details are fresh. Once your claim is in, ICBC assigns a claims representative who gathers your statement, determines responsibility for the crash, and tells you where to get your damage estimate.
Step 3: Find out where your estimate happens
This is where the claim centre question gets answered. When you report your claim, ICBC tells you whether your vehicle can go straight to a repair shop or needs to be seen at a claim centre first.
Most claims: go straight to an ICBC Repair Network shop
ICBC Repair Network shops are accredited to write damage estimates on ICBC’s behalf. If your claim qualifies, you can skip the claim centre entirely and bring your vehicle directly to the shop, where the estimate and repairs happen in one place.
Some claims: a claim centre visit first
For certain claims, ICBC will ask you to bring your vehicle to a local claim centre for an assessment before it goes to a repair shop. If that’s the case, ICBC will let you know when you report. After the assessment, you can still take your vehicle to the repair facility of your choice.
Either way, the shop you choose is up to you. ICBC lets you have your vehicle estimated and repaired at any shop, but there are real differences between going to a Repair Network shop and going elsewhere.
Why an ICBC Repair Network shop makes the process easier
- One stop for estimate and repairs. No separate trip to a claim centre for most claims.
- ICBC pays the shop directly. You won’t pay for covered repairs out of pocket and wait for reimbursement. If your claim includes a deductible, you pay that to the shop when the work is done.
- Guaranteed repairs. ICBC guarantees Repair Network repairs for crash damage for as long as you own the vehicle.
- The shop becomes your contact for the repair. Questions about your vehicle go to the shop, while ICBC remains your contact for responsibility, deductibles and coverage.
If you choose a shop outside the Repair Network, you may have to pay for the repairs yourself and submit receipts to ICBC for reimbursement. It’s worth asking that shop what warranty, if any, they offer on their work.
On Line Collision is part of the ICBC Repair Network. If you’re curious what that accreditation involves, we break it down in what is an ICBC accredited collision repair shop.
What to bring to your estimate
- Your ICBC claim number
- Your driver’s licence and vehicle registration
- The photos and other-driver details you collected at the scene
Try not to wash your vehicle or have any repairs done before the estimate. The estimator needs to see the damage exactly as it was after the crash.
If the collision bent your frame or unibody, an accurate estimate matters even more, since some structural damage isn’t visible from the outside. Learn how we handle automotive structural repair.
Frequently asked questions
Can I choose my own repair shop in BC?
Yes. ICBC lets you have your vehicle estimated and repaired at the shop of your choice. Choosing an ICBC Repair Network shop means the shop can bill ICBC directly and your crash repairs are guaranteed for as long as you own the vehicle.
How do I know if I need to go to an ICBC claim centre?
ICBC tells you when you report your claim online or by phone. If your claim qualifies, you can take your vehicle straight to a Repair Network shop for the estimate and repairs. If ICBC needs to assess the vehicle first, they’ll direct you to a claim centre.
Do I pay anything at the repair shop?
At an ICBC Repair Network shop, ICBC pays for the covered repairs directly. You may owe a deductible, depending on your coverage and who was found responsible for the crash, and you pay it to the shop once the repairs are finished.
Do I need a police report to make an ICBC claim?
Not for every collision. Call 911 if anyone is injured, and contact police if you suspect an impaired driver or the other driver leaves the scene. For hit-and-run claims, ICBC needs a police report if there’s a suspect or anyone was injured.
What if my car isn’t driveable after the accident?
Let ICBC know when you report your claim, then give us a call at (604) 533-5504. We’ll help you sort out the next steps for getting your vehicle to the shop.
Will I have a vehicle while mine is being repaired?
It depends on your coverage. Ask us about temporary replacement vehicles when you book your estimate and we’ll walk you through your options.
Trusted ICBC collision repair for Langley and the Fraser Valley
On Line Collision has been repairing vehicles in Langley for over 30 years, and drivers come to us from well beyond the city limits because of the reputation we’ve built. We hold a 4.9-star rating from 159 Google reviews, our technicians are I-CAR Gold Class certified, and we’re OEM certified to repair eight major makes, including Ford, Honda, Toyota and Kia.
You’ll find us at 21650 Fraser Highway, Unit 101, in Langley. Fraser Highway connects Langley City with Murrayville and Aldergrove to the east and Surrey to the west, so we’re an easy drive from anywhere in the region.
Wherever the collision happened, you don’t have to figure out ICBC on your own. Report your claim, tell ICBC you’d like On Line Collision to do your estimate, and we’ll take it from there.
Call us at (604) 533-5504 or book your estimate online.
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