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It depends on the collision and ICBC’s direction, but the usual path is to report the claim, follow any inspection instructions, choose a repair shop, review the estimate, and wait for required approvals before work begins. Hidden damage can change the repair plan. Once repairs are complete, you collect the vehicle and pay any required deductible.

What should I do first after an accident?

First, notify ICBC about the collision through its online service or over the phone. After the report is made, an ICBC claims representative reviews the information about what happened and makes a responsibility decision. This creates the claim path that the repair process will follow. (ICBC)

Keep the instructions you receive from ICBC available when speaking with a repair shop. The next step may not be identical for every vehicle or collision, so it is better to follow the direction connected with your claim than to assume the shop can begin immediately.

A useful way to think about the early stage is that reporting and repair are connected but separate. Reporting gives ICBC the crash information it needs. The repair estimate then documents the vehicle’s visible damage and the work that may be needed.

If you are unsure what to do after the collision, write down the direction ICBC gives you. That can help prevent confusion about whether the vehicle must be seen at a Claim Centre before it goes to a repair facility.

• Report the collision online or by phone.
• Note any direction about an inspection or Claim Centre visit.
• Keep the claim information available for the repair shop.
• Wait for the next required claim step before assuming repairs can start.

When should I contact an ICBC-approved repair shop?

You can generally choose a repair shop for an estimate, but ICBC may direct you to a local Claim Centre first. In that situation, the vehicle needs to follow that inspection step before moving to the repair facility. (ICBC)

This means the best time to speak with a shop depends partly on the instructions attached to your claim. If ICBC has told you to attend an inspection, bring that direction when speaking with Bridgeport Collision so the estimator can start from the correct claim path.

The shop will need enough information to connect its estimate with the collision claim. Have the ICBC claim information and any inspection direction available. Also explain what happened to the vehicle, including the visible dents, scratches, bumper damage, or other areas you noticed. This helps the estimator understand what to examine, without replacing the inspection itself.

A shop can discuss the expected repair process, but the estimate is not the same as a final promise about cost or timing. The vehicle must be examined, and the claim may require further review if additional damage is discovered.

• Check whether ICBC requires a Claim Centre inspection first.
• Share the claim information and inspection direction with the shop.
• Point out the damage you noticed.
• Treat the initial estimate and timing as subject to change.

Does ICBC need to inspect my vehicle before repairs begin?

Sometimes. ICBC may require the vehicle to go to a local Claim Centre before it reaches the repair facility, although a vehicle can generally be taken to a shop of your choice for an estimate. Follow the instruction given for your claim. (ICBC)

At the repair shop, an estimator examines the vehicle and records the repairs that appear necessary. The estimate sets out the likely repair cost based on what can be identified during that examination. (ICBC)

The first estimate may not show every issue. Some damage becomes visible only after parts are removed or the vehicle is disassembled. If that happens, the shop can document the newly identified work and request additional ICBC approval before proceeding with that part of the repair.

This is why a fixed repair timeline is difficult to promise before the inspection and estimate are complete. The amount of work, the discovery of hidden damage, and any added approval step can affect when repairs begin and when the vehicle is ready.

When the shop and ICBC have addressed the required approvals, the repair process can move forward according to the approved work. The coverage, deductible, and any other claim decision depend on the policy, the repair details, and ICBC’s decision; do not assume that every cost is handled the same way.

• An ICBC inspection may be required before the repair facility.
• The estimator records visible or identified repair needs.
• Hidden damage can lead to a revised repair plan.
• Additional work may need ICBC approval before it proceeds.

How long does collision repair take, and what happens at pickup?

There is no single repair time that applies to every ICBC claim. The condition of the vehicle, the work listed in the estimate, and any hidden damage found during the repair can all affect the schedule. A more reliable timing discussion comes after the vehicle has been examined and the required work is understood.

A common mistake is to treat the first estimate as the entire story. If disassembly reveals further damage, the repair shop may need to record it and seek approval for the additional work. That review can change both the work plan and the expected completion date. (ICBC)

The shop should notify you when the repairs are complete and the vehicle is ready. At that stage, you collect the vehicle and pay any applicable deductible at that time. (ICBC)

Before leaving with the vehicle, review the pickup information and make sure you understand what has been completed under the claim. If the schedule changed because hidden damage was found, the updated work and approval should be clear in the claim discussion.

For a smoother handoff, keep the claim information, inspection direction, and estimate records together. These documents help you follow the claim from the first report through the final pickup without relying on memory alone.

• Ask about timing after the inspection and estimate.
• Expect the schedule to depend on the actual repair work.
• Understand whether hidden damage changed the approval process.
• Confirm when the vehicle is ready and pay any required deductible at pickup.

Frequently asked questions

What is the process for an ICBC collision repair claim?

It depends on the collision and ICBC’s direction. Usually, you report the claim, follow any required inspection step, arrange an estimate with a repair shop, wait for required approvals, and pick up the vehicle when repairs are complete.

When should I contact an ICBC-approved repair shop?

Contact a repair shop after checking whether ICBC requires a Claim Centre inspection first. You can generally choose a shop for an estimate, but the claim instructions may require the vehicle to be inspected before it reaches the repair facility. (ICBC)

What information does the collision repair shop need?

Give the shop the ICBC claim information and any direction about an inspection. It is also helpful to describe the damage you noticed so the estimator can examine the relevant areas, but the estimate must still be based on the vehicle’s inspection.

When can repairs begin after opening a claim?

Repairs can begin after the required claim steps and approvals are addressed. If hidden damage is found during disassembly, additional ICBC approval may be needed before that extra work proceeds.

What happens when the repaired vehicle is ready?

ICBC’s collision repair process calls for the vehicle to be picked up or delivered after the shop notifies you that it is ready. Any required deductible is paid at that point. (ICBC)

Read more about accident & collision repair from Bridgeport Collision.

Questions about accident & collision repair? Call 604-273-2766 or visit bridgeportcollision.com.

This article was written with AI. The video is presented by an AI avatar.