A Canadian Insurance Claim Letter is a formal written communication submitted by a policyholder or authorized claimant to an insurance company to initiate the claims process for a covered loss. This document serves as the official notification of a claim under an insurance policy and provides the insurer with the essential details needed to begin investigating and processing the claim. The letter identifies the claimant, references the specific policy number, describes the incident or event giving rise to the claim, itemizes the damages and losses in Canadian dollars, and requests that the insurer process payment in accordance with the policy terms.

Insurance in Canada is primarily regulated at the provincial level, with each province maintaining its own Insurance Act that governs the relationship between insurers and policyholders. Ontario's Insurance Act (R.S.O. 1990, c. I.8) is one of the most detailed, covering auto insurance through the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS), property insurance, and liability coverage. British Columbia's auto insurance is uniquely administered through the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) under the Insurance (Vehicle) Act (RSBC 1996, c. 231). Alberta's Insurance Act (RSA 2000, c. I-3) and Quebec's Automobile Insurance Act (CQLR, c. A-25) establish their own province-specific frameworks.

Beyond provincial legislation, Canadian insurers are bound by common law duties of good faith and fair dealing. The Supreme Court of Canada has repeatedly affirmed that the insurer-insured relationship is one of utmost good faith, and breach of this duty can expose the insurer to damages beyond the policy limits, including punitive damages in egregious cases. The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA), the BC Financial Services Authority, and the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) in Quebec serve as the primary provincial regulators overseeing insurance practices. The General Insurance OmbudService (GIO) provides an independent dispute resolution service for property and casualty insurance complaints across Canada.

A Canadian Insurance Claim Letter is needed whenever an insured person experiences a covered loss and wishes to formally initiate the claims process with their insurance company. The most common scenario involves automobile accidents, which account for the largest volume of insurance claims across Canada. Whether the accident occurs in downtown Toronto, on the Trans-Canada Highway, or in a rural area of British Columbia, the policyholder must notify their insurer promptly and provide a detailed account of the incident, damages, and any injuries sustained.

Property insurance claims are another frequent use case. When a homeowner in Calgary experiences damage from a severe hailstorm, a burst pipe causes flooding in a Montreal condominium, or a wildfire threatens properties in British Columbia's interior, the insurance claim letter documents the extent of damage, provides an itemized list of losses in Canadian dollars, and requests that the insurer dispatch an adjuster and process the claim. Tenant insurance claims follow a similar process when personal property is damaged or stolen from a rental unit.

Health and life insurance claims require particular attention to documentation. When filing a health insurance claim for medical expenses not covered by provincial health plans (such as dental work, prescription medications, physiotherapy, or chiropractic care), the claim letter must include detailed information about the treatment received, the healthcare providers involved, and the expenses incurred. Travel insurance claims arise when Canadians travelling abroad experience medical emergencies, trip cancellations, or lost luggage.

Business and commercial insurance claims are critical for Canadian businesses facing property damage, business interruption, liability claims, or employee-related incidents. A manufacturing company in Ontario whose factory suffers fire damage, a retail store in Vancouver that experiences a break-in, or a professional services firm facing a professional liability claim all require formal claim letters that thoroughly document the incident and quantify the losses.

An effective Canadian Insurance Claim Letter must contain several essential elements to facilitate prompt and accurate processing by the insurance company. The letter must begin with complete claimant identification, including the policyholder's full legal name as it appears on the insurance policy, current mailing address with province and postal code, telephone number, and email address. If the claimant is different from the policyholder, their relationship and authority to file the claim must be established.

The insurance policy information section must include the insurance company's full legal name and claims department address, the policy number, the type of coverage (auto, property, health, life, tenant, business, or travel), and the name of the insurance agent or broker if applicable. This information allows the insurer to quickly locate the policy and verify coverage.

The incident details section is critical and should include the precise date and time of the incident, the specific location (including the municipality, province, and any relevant intersection or address), and a comprehensive description of what occurred. For auto claims, include details about all vehicles involved, driver information, and road conditions. For property claims, describe the cause of damage and the condition of the property before and after the incident.

The damages and losses section must itemize all damages with estimated costs in Canadian dollars. Include repair estimates from qualified contractors or mechanics, replacement costs for damaged items, rental or temporary accommodation costs, and any other out-of-pocket expenses. The total claim amount should be clearly stated. If medical treatment was required, provide details about injuries, healthcare providers, treatment received, and medical expenses to date in Canadian dollars.

Supporting documentation strengthens the claim significantly. Enclose photographs of damage, repair estimates, police reports, medical records, receipts, and any other relevant evidence. Reference the applicable provincial Insurance Act if appropriate. The letter should be signed and dated, and sent by a method providing proof of delivery such as Canada Post registered mail or courier with tracking.