After a car accident, it can be confusing to know what exactly you need to do. Should you call 911, a collision reporting centre or your insurer first? The steps you need to take depend on whether anybody is injured, whether there is immediate danger, the amount of apparent damage and the local police process.
For this guide, we reviewed Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act, the province’s January 1, 2025 regulatory update, and FSRA’s post-accident and claims-process guidance.
Reporting Car Accidents in Ontario at a Glance
- After a car accident in Ontario, the most important things to do are to stay calm, call for help and report the accident when required.
- For minor accidents where damage is below the reporting threshold and nobody is injured or killed, you may not be required to call police. Check the local police service’s rules if you’re unsure.
- You generally have seven days to report the accident to your insurer.
Post-Accident Checklist for Ontario Drivers
Some things must be done right after the accident to ensure you and everybody involved are as safe as possible. So, here’s a short post-accident checklist that you can either memorize or print out in case you ever get into an accident:
- Stop your vehicle.
- Check to see if anybody is injured.
- Exit your vehicle if it’s safe to do so. Take photos and videos of the scene if possible.
- Move your vehicle onto the shoulder of the road if it’s safe and can be driven. Otherwise, turn on your hazard lights.
- Call 911 if people are injured, there is immediate danger or you suspect that somebody involved is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
If the collision caused more than $5,000 in estimated total property damage, contact police and follow their instructions. Depending on what happened and where the collision occurred, you may be directed to a collision reporting centre.
You also have seven days to report the accident to your insurer, or as soon as possible afterward if you’re unable to report it within seven days.
Read More: How Is Fault Assigned After an Accident?
When Must You Report a Car Accident to Police?
If anyone is injured or killed, you must report the accident to police immediately, regardless of the amount of property damage.
You must also contact police if:
- The total apparent damage to all vehicles and other property is more than $5,000.
- You suspect impaired driving or another criminal act.
- There is immediate danger at the scene.
For a minor collision with no injuries and damage below the reporting threshold, check the instructions provided by the police service where the accident happened.
How Soon Should You Inform Your Insurance Company?
Notify your insurer within seven days of the collision, or as soon as possible afterward if you’re unable to do so within seven days.
Reporting the accident to police does not notify your insurer. You need to contact your insurance agent, broker or company separately.
What You Need to Report a Car Accident in Ontario
When you report a car accident in Ontario, you need as much information about the incident as possible.
Here’s the essential information you need:
- Your insurance information
- Your car’s make, year and model
- Details about the incident
- Notes about the weather, road conditions, time and place of the accident
- The other driver’s licence, registration and insurance details
Take pictures or video of the accident scene if possible. Collect contact information from witnesses and note the name and badge number of any officer who attends.
How to Notify Police and Your Insurer
Depending on when and where you call 911, an officer may come to the scene or the operator may direct you to a police station or collision reporting centre.
Follow the officer’s instructions and provide accurate information. A police report does not determine insurance fault. Your insurer will apply Ontario’s Fault Determination Rules using the available evidence.
When you contact your insurer, answer questions truthfully and follow its instructions. Once you make a claim, a claims adjuster will contact you to discuss the claim and your available coverage.
Things to Avoid After a Car Accident
Emotions tend to run high after a car accident, and rash decisions are easy to make. If you’re involved in a car accident, remember not to:
- Panic
- Argue with other parties
- Move anybody who’s injured unless there is immediate danger or emergency personnel tell you to
- Assume full responsibility or blame the other party for the crash
What to Do If You’re Driving Someone Else’s Car
If you’re driving someone else’s car and get into an accident, follow the checklist above and notify the owner. You must also notify the insurer shown on the vehicle’s proof of insurance.
Whether the policy covers the accident depends on factors such as permission to drive the car, how it was being used, the policy terms, deductibles and exclusions.
Risks of Not Reporting a Car Accident
Sometimes, people don’t want to report an accident because they made an agreement with the other driver and can pay the expenses out of pocket.
However, a private agreement does not replace a required police report or insurer notice. The other person may later report an injury or additional damage. Some symptoms can also appear after the accident.
Do I Have to Report Accidents in a Parking Lot?
After a parking-lot collision, stop, exchange information and take pictures or video of the scene if possible. The same injury, damage and criminal-activity reporting rules apply.
Check the local police service’s instructions if you’re unsure whether you need to visit a collision reporting centre.
Read More: How to Handle Parking Lot Accidents
What Happens If I Get Involved in a Hit-and-Run?
You may be able to file a hit-and-run claim under your collision coverage. Because the other driver is unidentified, you will typically have to pay your deductible.
Direct Compensation Property Damage does not apply unless the at-fault driver is identified and insured in Ontario. The driver who fled may also face criminal charges.
Read More: How to Handle a Hit-and-Run
Key Advice from MyChoice
- Take pictures or video of the accident scene if possible to ensure a detailed accident report.
- Report the accident to your insurer within seven days.
- Contact police whenever somebody is injured, total apparent damage exceeds $5,000 or you suspect criminal activity.
- Follow the local police service’s instructions about whether to attend a collision reporting centre.
Read More: How Much Does Car Insurance Increase After an Accident?