Automobile Proof of Loss in Ontario: What Is IBC Claim Form No. 2?
If you have made an automobile insurance claim in Ontario after your vehicle has been damaged, destroyed, or stolen, your insurance company may ask you to complete an Automobile Proof of Loss form.
One commonly used form is IBC Claim Form No. 2 – Automobile Proof of Loss, a standardized form provided by the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC). The form is designed to document the details of the insured vehicle, the loss or damage, and the amount being claimed under the insurance policy.
If your insurer has asked you to have the form sworn or declared before a Commissioner for Taking Affidavits or Notary Public, you will need to complete the declaration and have it properly commissioned before submitting it.
What Is an Automobile Proof of Loss?
An Automobile Proof of Loss is a formal statement made by an insured person about a loss or damage to their vehicle.
The form is provided without prejudice to the liability of the insurer, meaning that completing the form does not, by itself, mean that the insurance company has accepted responsibility for the claim.
The form asks the insured to provide information that allows the insurer to assess the claim, including:
The insurance claim number;
The name of the insurer, agent, or broker;
The insured person's name and address;
The applicable insurance policy number;
The vehicle's year, make, and model;
The vehicle's serial number and licence plate information;
When and where the vehicle was purchased;
The date, time, and location of the loss or damage;
The circumstances or cause of the loss or damage;
Whether the police were notified;
Information about other insurance or interests in the vehicle;
GST/HST/QST registration and recoverability information;
The total amount of the loss or damage;
The applicable deductible; and
The total amount being claimed from the insurer.
Why Does the Form Need to Be Declared?
At the end of the Automobile Proof of Loss form, the insured makes a solemn declaration that the information provided is true to the best of their knowledge and belief.
The declaration states that the claimant is making the declaration conscientiously and understands that it has the same force and effect as if made under oath.
This is why an insurer may require the form to be commissioned by a Commissioner for Taking Affidavits or sworn before a Notary Public.
The notary or commissioner does not generally determine whether the insurance claim is valid. Their role is to properly administer the solemn declaration and complete the applicable commissioning portion of the document.
Fill in the Form before your Appointment.
Before attending your appointment, fill out your form with the following information.
Depending on your circumstances, you may need:
1. Your insurance information
Have your policy number and claim number available, along with the name of your insurer and insurance broker or agent.
2. Vehicle information
You may need the vehicle's year, make, model, serial number or VIN, and licence plate information.
3. Purchase information
The form asks when the vehicle was purchased, who it was purchased from, and the purchase price.
4. Details about the loss
You will need to provide information about when and where the loss or damage occurred and what caused it.
If the police were notified, the form also asks for information about when and where the police were contacted.
5. Insurance and ownership information
The form asks whether there was any other insurance on the vehicle and whether anyone other than the insured had an interest in the vehicle.
It also asks about liens, chattel mortgages, or conditional sales agreements.
6. The amount of the claim
The form requires the claimant to identify the total amount of the loss or damage, the applicable deductible, and the resulting amount being claimed from the insurer.
What About GST/HST?
The form specifically asks whether the insured is registered for GST/HST/QST and, if so, asks for the registration number and the percentage of tax that is recoverable.
The form states that the amount claimed should be net of recoverable GST/HST/QST.
What Happens at the Notary or Commissioner Appointment?
If your insurer has instructed you to have your Automobile Proof of Loss commissioned, you should bring the completed document and valid government-issued photo identification.
Do not sign the declaration in advance unless your insurer or the commissioning professional has specifically instructed you to do so.
The Commissioner for Taking Affidavits or Notary Public will need to follow the applicable commissioning requirements, including verifying the identity of the person making the declaration and witnessing the declaration.
Once the declaration has been properly completed and commissioned, you can return the document to your insurer according to their instructions.
Does the Notary Review My Insurance Claim?
No.
A notary or commissioner is not ordinarily acting as the insurance adjuster and does not decide whether you are entitled to payment.
The purpose of the appointment is to properly administer the solemn declaration and complete the commissioning requirements.
Questions about whether a particular loss is covered, how much the insurer will pay, the applicable deductible, or whether additional documentation is required should generally be directed to your insurance company or insurance representative.
Important: Complete the Form Carefully
An Automobile Proof of Loss is more than a routine administrative form. By signing and declaring the information to be true, you are making a formal declaration concerning your insurance claim.
Before signing, carefully review the information to make sure it is accurate and complete.
In particular, pay attention to:
The date and location of the loss;
The description of what happened;
Vehicle ownership information;
Any financing or liens on the vehicle;
Other insurance or interests in the vehicle;
The amount of the loss;
The deductible; and
GST/HST information.
If you discover an error, ask your insurer how it should be corrected rather than simply guessing or altering the document yourself.
Need an Automobile Proof of Loss Commissioned in Markham?
If your insurance company has provided you with an IBC Claim Form No. 2 – Automobile Proof of Loss and requires it to be sworn or declared before a Commissioner for Taking Affidavits or Notary Public, we can help.
Book online: https://www.affordablemarkhamnotary.com/book-online
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal or insurance advice. Insurance requirements can vary depending on the insurer, policy, and circumstances of the claim. If you have questions about your coverage or the amount of your claim, contact your insurer or insurance professional.
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