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9 minute read Published on Jan 6, 2026 by BrokerLink Communications
Following a car accident, one of the questions many drivers have is whether they need to contact the police. Whether you're shaken up after a minor fender bender or dealing with major property damage and injuries, the decision isn't as straightforward as it may seem. Requirements vary by province and by insurance company reporting policies. Therefore, in some cases, failing to provide a police report can delay or even cancel your claim, while in others, it's not needed.
In Canada, the rules surrounding police reports vary depending on where the accident occurs and the circumstances involved. For example, whether someone was injured, if the damage exceeded a price threshold, or if the other driver fled the scene. This guide breaks down when a police report is legally required, how it can impact your insurance claim, and what you should do immediately after a collision. Stick around for more information.
In Canada, there are several scenarios that would warrant a police report following a car accident. Here's a closer look:
If serious injuries occurred or someone is killed as a result of the collision, you need to contact your local police department immediately. This includes minor injuries that may worsen over time. In 2021, there were 1,768 fatalities resulting from motor vehicle collisions in Canada. In the same year, 8,185 serious injuries and 108,018 total injuries were reported, according to Statistics Canada.
If you believe the other driver involved is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, driving without a valid driver's licence, or if they are exhibiting aggressive or threatening behaviour, a police officer must be called to the accident scene.
If the other parties flee the accident scene before you can exchange information with them, report the incident to law enforcement right away, as it will help you receive coverage under your uninsured motorist coverage.
Here’s a province-by-province look at property damage thresholds:
Alberta: The threshold is $5,000 (updated January 1, 2024).
British Columbia: The threshold is $10,000.
Manitoba: Not required
Ontario: Report if the combined damage between vehicles exceeds $5,000.
Quebec: Damage exceeds $5,000.
If a commercial or government vehicle is involved, reporting is usually mandatory regardless of how severe the property damage between vehicles is.
Failing to properly report a car accident can lead to several consequences, like fines and criminal charges. It can also impact your ability to successfully be reimbursed for damages and losses with your insurance company. If you're unfamiliar with the traffic laws in your home province, ensure to follow up with your government website or insurance company for more information.
In other instances, a police report isn't required following a car accident. Let's take a closer look below:
If the parties involved have not suffered any injuries and the vehicle damage is under your provincial reporting threshold, you won't need to contact a police officer or submit a police report when filing an insurance claim with your insurance company. Regardless, make sure to exchange information with the other parties involved and document the accident scene with videos and photographic evidence.
Accidents that occur in parking lots or on private property do not require police reports unless there are injuries involved or criminal activity has occurred.
If all parties involved agree on liability, you can go ahead and exchange details with each other, including the date, time, and location, photos, videos, and other information you can submit to your insurance company to make a strong claim.
In the event that the parties involved decide to change their version of events to help their claims process, the lack of a police report could hurt your own car insurance claim.
Pro tip: If you're unsure whether or not you need a police report for your car accident claim, contact your insurance company or broker for more information. They can walk you through your policy details and determine whether a police report is required, based on the circumstances surrounding your collision.
As we briefly mentioned, whether or not a police report is required for your car accident claim will vary depending on the province you live in:
In Ontario, under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, you must contact the police and receive a police report if:
Injuries have occurred.
The accident involves a government or commercial vehicle.
The combined vehicle damage exceeds $5,000, which was recently updated on January 1, 2025.
The collision involved a pedestrian.
A criminal act has occurred (driving under the influence, driving without valid insurance, etc.).
Property damage has occurred to private or government property.
In non-emergency cases, drivers in Ontario are required to visit a Collision Reporting Centre within 24 hours. Failing to do so can result in fines or complications with your claims process.
Approximately 385 collisions are reported in Alberta daily. The Traffic Safety Act states that drivers must report a car accident when:
You believe the other driver involved is committing a criminal act, such as being intoxicated or a member of a fraud ring.
You, your passengers, or other parties involved have suffered injuries.
Damage between vehicles exceeds $5,000.
You are the victim of a hit-and-run accident.
Even if the damage is minor, collecting witness statements, photos, videos, licence plate numbers, driver's licence numbers, and the insurance information of all parties involved is essential to ensuring your insurance claim is approved by your insurance company. Failing to provide enough evidence can limit your chances of receiving fair compensation for your losses. In cities like Calgary and Edmonton, Collision Reporting Centres are available for non-urgent accidents.
According to the Motor Vehicle Act, drivers must obtain a police report if:
The damage between vehicles exceeds $10,000.
Injuries to passengers, other drivers, or pedestrians have occurred.
You believe the other driver is intoxicated or that other criminal activity is suspected.
Drivers must also report the accident to ICBC regardless of severity within 24 hours in urban areas and 48 hours in rural areas.
Quebec's Highway Safety Code states that drivers involved in collisions must contact law enforcement and obtain a police report when:
$2,000 in property damage has occurred.
You or others involved have suffered injuries.
Suspected illegal activity.
All claims are handled through the SAAQ system and must be reported immediately.
In Manitoba, the Highway Traffic Amendment Act states that accidents must be reported to the police within seven days if:
Injuries or fatalities occurred.
Damage is over $1,000.
An unlicenced driver or an unregistered vehicle was involved.
You were hit by an unidentified driver and were unable to obtain their insurance details.
You believe the other driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the collision.
For Saskatchewan residents, motorists must report collisions to police if the crash involves any physical injuries or fatalities, a hit-and-run, a driver impaired by drugs or alcohol, or an out-of-province vehicle.
Reporting thresholds in Atlantic provinces range from $1,000 to $2,000. In any case involving injury, suspected impairment, or hit-and-run, police must be notified. Drivers should report their accident to local law enforcement or collision centres within 24 hours.
A police report, also known as an accident report, can play a major role in how your claim is processed. Here's how:
A police report contains detailed information about the collision, including:
Date, time, and location of where the collision occurred.
Witness statements.
Whether or not emergency services were contacted.
Other essential evidence that can determine liability.
Licence plate numbers, contact information of the other driver's insurance company, and more.
Most insurance companies will use police reports to determine liability. Without a police report, determining fault can be difficult.
Depending on your insurance company, some insurance adjusters require police reports for insurance claims involving hit-and-runs, theft or vandalism, and injuries.
Without a police report, claims may be delayed or denied, especially if there’s no supporting information. Ultimately, filing a police report can help speed up your claims process and give your claims adjuster enough evidence to fairly reimburse you for your losses.
Generally speaking, there are two ways motorists can file a police report for their car accident:
Steps for filing a police report at the scene:
Call 911 if there are injuries or fatalities at the scene, criminal activity, or a hit-and-run.
Remain at the scene of the accident until police arrive.
If you don't contact the police, you'll need to visit a collision reporting centre in your community to report the incident within 24 hours (may vary by province). But remember to bring the following documents with you:
Driver’s licence, insurance contract, and vehicle registration.
Photos of the damaged vehicles and the surrounding scene.
Contact information for other driver(s) involved and any witness statements/information you collected.
When it comes to police reports and insurance claims, there are often numerous myths circling that can cause confusion. Being informed on what's true and false can help you avoid costly and criminal mistakes. Here's what you need to know:
“You always need to file a police report.” Not true. For minor incidents where no injuries or expensive property damage is recorded, you don't need an accident report. Regardless, to ensure your insurance claim is approved, keep detailed records of what happened.
“A police report automatically proves fault.” Police officers do a good job of assessing the scene, but they don’t always assign fault. Your insurance company will make the final decisions on how liability is assigned.
“No injuries means no need to report.” Not necessarily. If the property damage threshold has been met or a suspected DUI has happened, you'll still need to report.
“You can file a report anytime.” Most provinces require drivers to report that an accident occurred within 24 hours. Missing this reporting deadline could lead to legal consequences and the denial of your insurance claim.
To stay safe and protect your insurance rights, here's what you need to do immediately after an accident has occurred:
Ensure everyone is safe by checking for injuries.
Call 911 if anyone is hurt, someone has died, or traffic is blocked.
Move vehicles to a safe area to prevent further damage if possible.
Take quality photos of all vehicles, licence plates, and road conditions.
Exchange information: Driver’s licence, insurance, and registration.
Collect witness names and contact information.
Note the time, location, and weather conditions.
Determine if a police report is legally required.
Visit a collision reporting centre if needed within 24 hours.
Contact your insurer as soon as possible to begin the claims process.
Keep a personal record of all details and documents during your claims process.
At BrokerLink, our experienced brokers help motorists understand whether a police report is needed based on their province and insurer. We'll guide you through the reporting and claims process, ensuring no steps are missed before you contact your insurance company.
Beyond this, we're also your go-to source for affordable insurance policies. We can help you purchase the following types of auto insurance based on your unique needs and budget:
Third-party car liability insurance
Accident benefits coverage
Accident forgiveness
Comprehensive car coverage
Collision car coverage
Need help? Talk to a BrokerLink broker today for support with accident reporting, your claims process, and purchasing customized car insurance.
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If another driver hits your vehicle and doesn’t stop or report the accident, they could face serious consequences if caught. Leaving the scene of the accident is a serious crime and can result in major fines, driver’s licence suspensions, and even jail time, depending on how serious the accident was.
Reporting all car accidents, no matter if they happened in a parking lot or on the road is generally recommended. Remember that reporting an accident to the police, even a minor one, has many benefits, like providing you with an objective account of the incident. In some cases, it might even be legally required, such as if the parking lot accident resulted in bodily injury or over $2,000 worth of damages.
Sometimes. It ultimately depends on the circumstances surrounding the accident. If the accident is severe, resulting in serious damage or bodily injuries, then the police will almost certainly arrive on the scene. However, for minor accidents, they may not. The best way to find out if the police will come to the scene of the accident is to call them. If they decline, you will need to visit your nearest police station following the accident if you want to file a police report.
No, just because you choose to file a police report does not mean that you are required to file a claim with your insurance company. A police report and an insurance claim are two completely different things. That said, having a police report can expedite the insurance claims process.
If you have any questions, contact one of our local branches.
