After Ontario car or truck accidents, it is imperative for injured drivers and passengers to contact their auto insurance companies. Sometimes injured drivers do not call their auto insurance companies because they fear that their insurance premium rates may increase if they file accident benefits claims. This is simply not true. Filing accident benefits claims does not affect insurance rates.
Many Ontario drivers and passengers do not know that they are automatically entitled to accident benefits if they were injured in auto accidents even if they caused the accidents. Benefits include medical and rehabilitation benefits, lost income replacement benefits and other benefits.
After calling their auto insurance companies, injured drivers will receive many forms to complete. In one of our recent articles (Ontario Auto Accident Law – What Forms are Needed to Apply for Accident Benefits after an Auto Accident in Kingston or Ottawa?), we discussed several forms drivers need to complete in order to access their accident benefits, such as medical benefits and income replacement benefits. This article will discuss another important form called the Expense Claim form.
OCF-6 Expense Claim Form
The OCF-6 form is an application for compensation for other expenses. This form is not included in the basic accident benefits application package. When an injured driver talks to the auto insurance company to request the application package, he needs to make sure he requests an OCF-6 form if he incurred other expenses.
What are Other Expenses?
Other expenses are additional out of pocket expenses injured drivers incur as a result of the accident. These expenses must be “reasonable and necessary” and directly related to the accident.
An example of such expenses may be lost or damaged personal items such as eyeglasses, clothing etc. In an accident, the driver may lose consciousness, be seriously injured and have to be transported to a hospital. In the process, he may lose personal items such as glasses or clothing.
Other expenses include caregiver benefits, which is an optional benefit drivers may have purchased when they bought auto insurance. These benefits may include costs for hiring someone to take care of the injured driver.
It is important to note that injured drivers will need to provide proof of their expenses. Therefore, it is a good idea to keep all bills, receipts and invoices for other expenses.
Help After an Auto Accident in Ontario
If you were injured in a car, bus or truck accident in Ontario, including Kingston, Ottawa or Whitby, the personal injury car accident lawyers at Bergeron Clifford can help. You can rest assured that the accident lawyers from Bergeron Clifford you will help you obtain the maximum recovery you are entitled to. If you would like to talk to a lawyer about your auto accident, please do not hesitate to call us at 1-866-384-5886.
