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Report-a-claim in the Lower Mainland by calling 604-520-8222 or 1-800-910-4222 for the rest of B.C.

Your settlement

When should I finalize my settlement with ICBC?

You may settle at any time. It's usually good to wait until your injuries have stabilized.

When you're ready to settle, make an appointment with your adjuster to discuss a settlement or any aspect of your claim. When you are offered a settlement, your adjuster will be able to explain the factors that led to that offer.

When can I expect payment?

In general, most customers who deal directly with ICBC receive payment immediately after signing a final release form. Other customers who are represented by lawyers may encounter delays due to litigation [click for definition] issues such as agreement on costs and disbursements.

You Were Not Represented By a Lawyer
You can expect to be paid immediately after you sign a final release form - unless the amount of your settlement is unusually large. If it is, there might be a slight delay while your cheque is signed by a manager with sufficient authority.

You may personally sign the release form at a claim centre or ask that the form be mailed to you at your home or office. After signing and mailing the form, you will receive your settlement cheque in the mail.

NOTE: Make sure you are satisfied with ICBC's offer before you sign the final release form. When you sign this form, you indicate your final consent to the settlement, and release your rights to any further claim from that particular crash.

You Were Represented By a Lawyer
Your lawyer will ask you to sign the final release form and will return it to ICBC. A cheque is issued to your lawyer's law firm "in trust." The law firm then makes out a cheque payable to you, less the amount of fees and costs of disbursements [click for definition] owing to the lawyer.

You Had a Workers Compensation Board Claim
If you were injured during the course of your employment, the Workers Compensation Board may handle your case for medical and disability benefits and then claim compensatory damages from ICBC on your behalf. At the conclusion of your claim a cheque is issued to the WCB "in trust." The board then makes out a cheque payable to you, less any amount to which the WCB may be entitled and other applicable fees.

The Public Trustee Was Acting on Your Behalf
If you are under the age of 19 and wish to settle your claim with ICBC, the Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia is required by the Infants Act to review the proposed settlement. For settlements of $50,000 or less, the Public Guardian and Trustee can approve or reject the settlement on your behalf. If the settlement is over $50,000, the Public Guardian and Trustee makes a recommendation to Court as to whether the settlement is adequate. The Court then makes the final decision whether the settlement will be approved. Once the settlement has been approved, the funds are paid, in trust, to the Public Guardian and Trustee until you reach the age of majority. For more information about the Public Guardian and Trustee's role in settlement of minor's claims, please go to www.trustee.bc.ca.

Not satisfied with an ICBC settlement offer?

ICBC cannot force a settlement on you. If it becomes clear that you and your adjuster can not agree on a settlement, you have a number of alternatives. Your first step should be to contact your adjuster's manager to discuss your options.

You may want to ask about a Settlement Proposal Agreement. Your adjuster can explain how such an agreement may assist you financially without limiting your legal rights.

There are internal ICBC processes you can use to review your adjuster's assessment of fault. You can ask whether your claim can be reviewed by a professional independent arbiter. You can consult with a lawyer at any time. And you may choose to begin legal action.