What is a “non-collision (repair estimate)?”

This describes damages that did not result from a collision with another vehicle. Examples are hail damage, vandalism etc.


Before you buy a used car, we recommend that you get a CARFAX Canada Vehicle History Report, take a thorough test drive and have the vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic and/or auto technician to make sure the vehicle is functioning properly.


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What is a zero-dollar ( $0.00 ) claim?

A zero-dollar insurance claim indicates that damage occurred, but the monetary value is either unknown or the claim is still in progress. Reasons may include:


  • The insured did not follow through on a reported claim. Typically, they either decided to pay out of pocket or did not follow through with any repairs as damage was minimal,
  • The insurance company denied the claim, for reasons such as the insured was under the influence while driving or did not have comprehensive coverage,
  • The claim has not yet been paid or settled. It is possible that the claim is still too new, and information not yet updated. Be mindful of the claim date and report date,
  • In rare circumstances, the insurance company offsets the claim amount by the amount recovered through the sale of the vehicle,
  • The insurance company recovered the cost of repairs from another insurance company after initially paying for the repairs,
    • If the insurance company did not pay for the repairs but another party's insurance did, the claim amount may be reported as a negative dollar amount.
  • In instances of a total loss claim and/or vehicle being branded Salvage by ICBC, a $0.00 claim will be reported by ICBC



Please note we are not able to obtain nor provide further details pertaining to the claim amount.


Before you buy a used car, we recommend that you get a CARFAX Canada Vehicle History Report, take a thorough test drive and have the vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic and/or auto technician to make sure the vehicle is functioning properly.


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What is a "disclosure?"

A disclosure is a fact or detail about a vehicle related to its past use, history or condition.


Some jurisdictions may require certain disclosures are made at the time of sale.


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What is a "Police Reported Accident" record?

A data record reflecting accident and/or damage details contained on a collision report filed by law enforcement.


Police reported accident records will normally reflect the following:


  • Incident date
  • Province (or state) in which the collision report was filed
  • Brief description of the incident
  • Damage severity (as recorded by law enforcement)



Not all police reported accident records will contain all of the above information. Police reported accident records will not contain a dollar value associated with the damages.


If you believe that a police reported accident record reported about your VIN has been reported incorrectly or contains incorrect information/details, please see: I believe information on my CARFAX Canada Vehicle History Report is inaccurate. What do I do?


Before you buy a used car, we recommend that you get a CARFAX Canada Vehicle History Report, take a thorough test drive and have the vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic and/or auto technician to make sure the vehicle is functioning properly.


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What is the difference between an estimate and a claim?

The estimate or estimate repair on the history report represents the estimated value associated to the damage, while the claim amount represents the total dollar value paid out by the insurance company to repair or, in some cases, replace the vehicle (see: Total loss).


The insurance claims identified in this report do not include any medical pay-outs, damage to other vehicles, damage to property, towing, rental cars or any other incidental damages.


For more information, please contact the seller/owner of the vehicle. They may be able to provide additional information.


Before you buy a used car, we recommend that you get a CARFAX Canada Vehicle History Report, take a thorough test drive and have the vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic and/or auto technician to make sure the vehicle is functioning properly.


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Why are there two different estimates for the same incident date?

Some owners will visit multiple estimate facilities to evaluate the damage before sending the final number to their insurance company. 


The appraiser may have also found additional damage and completed a supplemental estimate.


Please note we are not able to obtain nor provide further details from our sources pertaining to the estimate records.


Before you buy a used car, we recommend that you get a CARFAX Canada Vehicle History Report, take a thorough test drive and have the vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic and/or auto technician to make sure the vehicle is functioning properly.


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Why does my CARFAX Canada report show an accident but it does not provide a dollar value?

While we are the most comprehensive vehicle history reporting service in Canada, a report is based only on information supplied to CARFAX Canada by participating data sources. There may be other information about this vehicle that has not been reported to CARFAX Canada.


Accident records without a dollar value included may occur when:




Please note we are not able to obtain nor provide further details from our sources pertaining to the damage records.


Before you buy a used car, we recommend that you get a CARFAX Canada Vehicle History Report, take a thorough test drive and have the vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic and/or auto technician to make sure the vehicle is functioning properly.


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Why does the estimate show “total loss,” but the vehicle was neither branded as “salvage” or “rebuilt?”

It is possible to see an indication of “Total Loss” on the report without the vehicle being branded.


Total loss is an insurance company term noting that the cost to repair the vehicle is nearing and/or exceeds the vehicle’s current market value.


When the estimated cost to repair the vehicle meets this threshold, the estimate facility will flag the vehicle for Total Loss consideration. This would also occur if the estimate facility is appraising the vehicle in instances where the insurance company is considering/has determined that they will be replacing the vehicle for the insured.


It is up to the insurance company and/or province whether the vehicle is branded.


We are not able to obtain nor provide further details pertaining to the damage records.


Before you buy a used car, we recommend that you get a CARFAX Canada Vehicle History Report, take a thorough test drive and have the vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic and/or auto technician to make sure the vehicle is functioning properly. We would also recommend speaking with your provincial vehicle registration authority to further ensure vehicle can be registered with and operated in your province.


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Why is the estimate location different from the incident location?

The insurance company’s head office location can sometimes appear as the estimate location. This does not necessarily mean that the vehicle was in that location.


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Why was structural/frame damage reported?

A participating data source has reported that the vehicle has sustained frame damage, which can weaken the structure of the vehicle and may result in vehicle being negatively branded (i.e. Salvage, Rebuilt) by a provincial vehicle registration authority if it has not been already. 


This may also appear if:


  • Vehicle was previously used by law enforcement,
  • A snowplow was attached to the frame,
  • A trailer hitch was attached to the frame,
  • Other components were attached to the frame,
  • There were signs of excessive rust/corrosion,
  • Signs of non-compromising damage to the frame



Modifications, such as these, to the vehicle’s frame are unlikely to result in vehicle’s structural and/or mechanical integrity being weakened, meaning it is unlikely a vehicle would be negatively branded by a provincial vehicle registration authority.


Please note we are unable to obtain additional information from our sources related to these announcements.


Before you buy a used car, we recommend that you get a CARFAX Canada Vehicle History Report, take a thorough test drive and have the vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic and/or auto technician to make sure the vehicle is functioning properly. We would also recommend speaking with your provincial vehicle registration authority to further ensure vehicle can be registered with and operated in your province.


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