How do you report a car accident in Ontario?

Getting into a car accident is one of those things no one wants to think about... until it happens. In those first moments, it’s easy to feel panicked and unsure of what to do next. Should you call the police? Your car insurance company? Will your premiums skyrocket? The good news is, you’re not alone in these worries. In Ontario, around 27,000 collisions involving injury or death are reported each year, while the number of overall motor-vehicle injuries in Canada was nearly 119,000 in 2023 .

Reporting a car accident properly isn’t just a formality. It’s essential for your legal protection, insurance coverage, and personal safety. Ontario operates under a “no-fault” insurance system, which means that regardless of who caused the crash, your own insurance company will handle your claim. But this doesn’t mean fault doesn’t matter; it can still affect your driving record and future premiums.

Failing to report an accident when required can lead to fines, licence suspension, possible jail time, and even denied claims. Plus, if there are injuries, the law requires immediate reporting. Knowing what steps to take helps you stay calm, protect your rights, and get back on the road safely. Let’s help you know exactly what to do after a collision.

Legal requirements for reporting a car accident in Ontario

In Ontario, new rules under the Highway Traffic Act now require that you report any traffic collision to the police and/or collision reporting centre if any of the following apply:

• Combined vehicle and property damage exceeds $5,000 

• Involvement of a pedestrian or cyclist, an uninsured driver, impaired driving, or damage to public or government property or vehicles

• Hit-and-run scenarios where the other party flees or doesn’t report

• Any injuries, no matter the severity

You're to report the collision within 24 hours, either by calling the police or going to the nearest collision reporting centre. You’ll need to bring with you your driver’s licence, vehicle permit, and car insurance information. If you are physically unable to make a report, another passenger in the vehicle must do it on your behalf.

How it works in other provinces

Each province has different reporting rules, here's how they work:

What to do immediately after an accident in Ontario

Getting into a car accident can leave you shaken and unsure of what to do next. But acting quickly and following the right steps can help keep you safe and protect your legal standing. To help you stay focused in those first stressful moments, here’s a simple step-by-step guide to follow:

1. Make sure everyone is safe

First and foremost, check if anyone is injured, including yourself, your passengers, people in other vehicles, and any pedestrians or cyclists who were involved. If there are injuries, call 911 right away. Even if injuries seem minor, it’s safer to have emergency services evaluate the situation. In fact, according to Mount Dennis Weston Physiotherapy and Chiropractic Centre in Toronto, sometimes injuries don't appear until days later.

2. Exchange information with the other parties involved

Once everyone is safe, exchange details with the other driver(s). You’ll need:

• Full names and contact info

• Vehicle make, model, and licence plate numbers

• Driver’s licence numbers

• Insurance company names and policy numbers

If there are any witnesses to the accident, ask for their names and contact information, too. Having this can be crucial if there’s a dispute about what happened.

3. Document the scene

Take clear photos or videos of:

• Licence plates

• Street signs, traffic signals, or road conditions

• All vehicles involved (including close-ups of damage and wide shots showing positions)

• Any skid marks or debris

• Weather and lighting conditions

This evidence helps support your version of events and makes the insurance process more efficient.

4. Visit a collision reporting centre

In Ontario, if damage appears to exceed $5,000 or if there are injuries, you must report the collision to police or a collision reporting centre (CRC) within 24 hours. Even if police aren’t called to the scene, you still need to visit a CRC. If you cannot drive your vehicle yourself, you may need to call to have a tow truck tow it to the nearest centre for you. Contact Brokerlink to learn what to do next after getting into a car accident in Ontario.

What happens if I don’t report a car accident in Ontario?

Not reporting a car accident in Ontario can have serious consequences, and it’s riskier than many drivers realize. Even if you and the other driver agree to handle the damage privately, things can change quickly. The other driver might change their mind and decide to report the accident to their insurance company or file a collision report later on. If that happens, you could end up facing penalties and a denied claim from your own insurer and facing significantly higher premiums.

Also, remember how we mentioned that sometimes car accident injuries don’t show up until days after a collision? What seemed like a minor bump could turn into whiplash or other, even more serious complications. If you didn’t report the accident right away, it can be much harder (or even impossible) to get coverage for medical costs. Further, if you try to pay for damages out of pocket, there’s no guarantee the other driver will actually stick to the agreement. Reporting protects you legally and financially. Let's take a look at some of the repercussions of choosing not to report an accident:

Legal risks of not reporting a car accident

Under the Highway Traffic Act, leaving the scene of an accident (also called "fail to remain") can lead to:

• A fine between $400 and $2,000

• Licence suspension up to two years

• Up to six months in jail

And if the incident also qualifies as a "failure to stop after accident" under the Criminal Code, penalties can escalate significantly:

• A fine between $1,000 and $5,000

• Up to two years in jail for a summary conviction

• Up to 10 years in jail for an indictment

• Up to life in prison (if the collision caused a death)

Failing to report an accident isn’t a minor offence. As you can see, it can derail your car insurance, cost you your driver’s licence, or even lead to jail time. It’s always in your best interest to stay at the scene, report the accident, and document everything correctly.

Police reporting vs. insurance reporting

After a car accident in Ontario, drivers sometimes get confused about who exactly they need to report to: the police, a collision reporting centre, or just their insurance company. Here’s how they differ:

Remember, when in doubt, report it. It protects your legal rights, ensures proper medical coverage, and prevents future headaches.

How to file a police report for a collision in Ontario

In Ottawa alone, there were 19,777 collisions in 2024. Of those, 16,788 were processed via CRCs and 2,989 required police response, according to Ottawa Police. The fact is, across Ontario, tens of thousands of collisions involve damage or injury every year that must be formally documented. When you need to report a collision to your local police in Ontario, you can either call 911 or your local non-emergency line. Then, when an officer attends a crash that meets the requirements for police involvement, they will fill out a Motor Vehicle Collision report. Once complete, they give all drivers involved a report number.

If the police don’t attend the collision scene, you’re required to take your vehicle to a collision reporting centre (CRC) within 24 hours. At the CRC, trained staff will fill out the same official report on your behalf using the e-CROMS system. According to the Windsor Police Service, you can even begin your report online using the Report a Collision portal before heading to the CRC. By entering your initial details online, you'll receive a reference number, which helps speed things up when you arrive in person. Have a look at some of the key elements that make up a report:

What goes into a collision report?

The standard form includes:

• Date, time, and exact location of the collision

• Driver and owner information, including full names, addresses, driver’s licence numbers, and insurance policy details

• Vehicle details, such as the make, model, year, licence plate, and observed damage

• Witness information

• An incident description of what happened

• Damage and injury notes, including injured parties, physical damage, and diagrams/maps of impact

• Environmental and road conditions, including visibility, weather, road surface, and signage

• Officer’s or CRC staff signature and report reference number

Types of collision insurance claims in Ontario

In Ontario, you'll typically file one of four common types of auto insurance claims:

Third‑party liability claims

You file this if another driver caused the crash and you’re seeking compensation for other parties' injuries or property damage. Your liability coverage pays for their losses, and you’ll need to provide fault information along with police or CRC report numbers. Under the Ontario Fault Determination Rules, fault is assigned in percentages, which can affect how much your insurance company pays.

Accident benefits claims

Accident benefits in Ontario are for covering medical and rehabilitation treatment, lost income, caregiver or attendant care, and death or funeral expenses, regardless of who’s at fault. Ontario’s Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS) offers up to $14,500 in average medical/rehab per claimant for non-minor injuries

Uninsured automobile claims

If the other driver has no insurance or fled the scene, you can submit a claim through your mandatory uninsured automobile coverage in your policy. Ontario’s Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund may also be involved if you were involved in a car accident where no automobile insurance exists to respond to your claim.

Collision coverage claims

This applies if you’re at fault (or partially at fault) and have optional collision coverage. Your insurance company pays to repair or replace your vehicle minus your deductible.

How to file an insurance claim for a collision in Ontario

Getting into a crash is stressful enough without worrying about all the paperwork that comes afterward. Knowing how to file a car insurance claim in Ontario and what to expect at each step can take a lot of the guesswork (and stress) out of the process. Here's how:

1. Contacting your insurance company or broker

Remember, once you've been in a collision, it's essential to report it to your insurance company. Ideally, you want to inform them within 24 hours, but you usually have up to seven days if necessary. However, some policies may require reporting the same day, so it's important to know what your policy says. Submitting a car insurance claim is generally the next step after you've contacted your insurance company, but the process is often started as soon as you contact them. You'll be asked for information about the collision, such as:

• The date, time, and location of the accident

• What drivers and vehicles were involved

• A description of damage and injuries

• If there were any witnesses

They will then send you copies of any forms you need to fill out for your claim, such as a proof of loss form or an OCF-1 form (application for Accident Benefits).

Tip: Before you contact your insurance company, consider filling out the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC)'s collision report form. By filling out their report form, you'll have all the information written down in one organized place, making it easier for you to inform your provider of all the details they need.

2. Providing documentation

The next step is to prepare and send them any necessary documentation, such as:

• Repair estimates for vehicle damage (if you have any)

• A copy of the police or CRC collision report

• Photos or videos of the collision scene

• Any completed forms sent by your insurance company

• Medical records or receipts if injured

3. Receiving an adjuster

Once you've submitted your documentation, your insurance company will assign you a claims adjuster. The adjuster may visit you to inspect your vehicle and assess damage, fault, and coverage. For Accident Benefits, you may undergo medical assessments to confirm injury level and treatment needs. Your insurance provider will then review the adjuster's report and either approve or deny portions of your claim.

How reporting a collision affects your insurance premiums and driving records

When you file a claim after an accident in Ontario, insurance companies use that information to assess your risk and set future premiums. Here’s how it all works:

Risk-based pricing

Canadian insurance companies use your driving record and claim history in addition to factors like vehicle type, location, and coverage to calculate your premiums. An at-fault collision on your driving record could put you in the higher-risk category. If you're seen as a higher risk, that means they see you as more likely to file a claim, which means higher premiums as a precaution.

At-fault claims

Even drivers with clean records may see as much as a 20% or more premium increase after an at-fault collision, unless they have accident forgiveness coverage. Whether it’s one or multiple claims, your insurer factors in repair costs, medical benefits, and payouts to others. Plus, after your first claim, you may lose your claims-free discount, which will cause an increase in premiums as well.

Filing required collision reports keeps you legally compliant, but it usually means higher rates, especially if you’re deemed at fault. Before filing a claim, ask your insurance provider about adding accident forgiveness coverage. You may also want to ask about your deductible options and how much your premium might rise.

How to handle disputes and car insurance claim denials

Having a claim denied or receiving a lower payout than expected can feel like adding insult to injury. But it’s more common than you might think. According to the FSRA, claims are often denied or underpaid because of incomplete documentation, late reporting, misrepresentation (even unintentional mistakes), or disputes over who’s at fault. If this happens, you still have options:

1. Request an internal review

Start by contacting your insurance company and requesting an internal review. Sometimes, providing additional evidence like repair estimates, witness statements, or medical reports can resolve the issue.

2. Contact the Ombudservice or an independent arbitrator

You can also reach out to the General Insurance Ombudservice, an independent organization that helps settle insurance complaints for free. In some cases, you may pursue private arbitration or even legal action if needed.

3. Escalate to the FSRA

If you’re still unsatisfied, you can escalate to the FSRA. They offer mediation and arbitration services to help resolve disputes between consumers and insurance providers.

Learn more with BrokerLink

Do you still have questions about reporting a car accident in Ontario? Contact BrokerLink. Our expert insurance advisors are here to help you with any insurance-related questions you may have about mandatory and optional coverage, whether you have enough coverage for your needs, and what to expect from the claims process. We can even answer questions like which body parts are hit first in a collision or who’s at fault in a sideswipe accident?

You can reach us by phone, email, or in person at any one of our locations throughout Ontario. No matter how you choose to get in touch, a BrokerLink insurance advisor will be happy to assist you. We also encourage you to take advantage of our free online quote tool that can provide you with a competitive car insurance quote in minutes.

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