Your Personal Injury Lawyers
OCF-1: Accident Benefits Application Package
What is the Accident Benefits Application Package (OCF-1) ?
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) has a series of Auto Insurance Claims Forms (OCF Forms) that need to be filled out if you are seeking compensation for your injuries. The OCF-1 form also known as the Accident Benefits Application Package is a form that needs to be completed in full and submitted to your auto insurance provider if you were injured in an automobile accident on or after November 1, 1996. Claims for certain accidents need to be made within 7 days. In addition to filling out this form, your insurer may also ask that you accompany this application with additional forms such as OCF-2, OCF-3, OCF-5 and/or OCF-23. However, you should not send in the OCF-5 form prior to speaking to a lawyer. After reviewing your application package – the insurance company will contact you to discuss the benefits you may be entitled to receive.
This form is an important first step in establishing whether or not you are eligible for benefits and if filled out incorrectly – can result in significantly reduced or delayed compensation from your insurance provider. This is the primary reason why we recommend you hire a personal injury lawyer because they can assist with completing the form accurately on your behalf to help get you the compensation and benefits you rightfully deserve.
For more information on this form – you can download the OCF-1 here.
What information is required on the OCF-1?
Filling out the OCF-1 form is no easy venture and if filled out incorrectly – can result in reduced or delayed compensation from your insurance company. The application asks you for a series of detailed information including details of your accident and health, details of the auto insurance policy, your employment status, whether you are a student or caregiver in your family, income replacement determination and other insurance and collateral payment information. Insurance companies pay close attention to the way you have filled out the form and using any misleading or incorrect information can result in reduced or even no benefits. We recommend you contact a personal injury lawyer when filling out this form because injury lawyers have experience in filling out these forms while you do not.
How can a personal injury lawyer help with filling out OCF-1?
Our personal injury lawyers are familiar with filling out the OCF-1. Our lawyers will ensure that the OCF-1 will list all your injuries, clarify the types of benefits that apply in your case, explain the confusing aspects of the form and submit the form correctly on your behalf. Additionally, our legal team will also deal with the insurance provider on your behalf. It is important that you do not sign anything that you do not understand – and again this is something that your personal injury lawyer can help with. We will also ensure you meet all the filing deadlines and stick to the basic facts.
Contact Preszler Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation and let us help you with filling out the Accident Benefits Application Package.
