What to Do After a Car Accident in Canada
Canadian rules vary by province. But the core steps are the same. Make the scene safe. Call 911 for any injury. Exchange details. Report the collision. In Ontario, damage over $5,000 means a Collision Reporting Centre visit within 24 hours. The threshold was raised from $2,000 on Jan 1, 2025. Any injury also means a visit. Notify your insurer within 7 days, even if you will not claim. In no-fault provinces like Ontario, your own insurer handles your injuries and your vehicle damage. This is true no matter who caused the crash.
At a glance
- Cost:
- Free to report; deductible applies on claims
- Total time:
- Claims take weeks to months
- Steps:
- 7 steps
- Where to apply:
- fsrao.ca
Last reviewed November 2026 against official sources. Re-checked annually · next review due November 2027.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official CAN sources(November 2026).
0 of 7 steps
- Go immediate
Secure the scene and check for injuries
Hazards on, engine off. Call 911 immediately for any injury, blocked roadway, or suspected impaired driving. Do not move injured people unless there is immediate danger.
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- Go 10 min
Exchange information with the other driver
Swap names and addresses. Swap driver's licence numbers, plate numbers, and insurance details (the company and the policy number). Note the time, the location, the weather, and the road conditions, while they are fresh in your mind.
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- Before You Go 10 min
Photograph everything before vehicles move
Photograph the plates. Photograph close-ups of the damage. Photograph the full road layout, the skid marks, and the signs. In a dispute between drivers, these first-minute photos count for more than written accounts taken later.
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- Submit & Pay 30–60 min
Report the collision as your province requires
Ontario: you must report any injury to the police or a Collision Reporting Centre within 24 hours. You must also report combined damage that looks over $5,000. This was raised from $2,000 on Jan 1, 2025. Alberta also uses a $5,000 threshold. Nova Scotia defines a reportable collision as one with an injury, a death, or damage over $2,000. This is in force Oct 19, 2026. BC, Quebec, and Saskatchewan have no dollar threshold. Always check your provincial rules. And report every hit-and-run.
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- Submit & Pay 30 min
Notify your insurer within 7 days
Call your insurer promptly. Policies require notice within 7 days. Some require it sooner. Late reporting can delay your coverage, or put it at risk. This is true even if you do not intend to claim. Give the insurer your photos and your report number.
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- Follow Up weeks–months
Understand no-fault: your insurer pays you
In Ontario and other no-fault provinces, you claim vehicle damage and injury benefits from your own insurer. This is true no matter who caused the crash. Fault only affects your premiums. It also affects potential lawsuits for serious injuries. Keep every medical receipt. Accident benefits cover treatment beyond provincial health insurance. Since July 1, 2026, only medical, rehabilitation, and attendant care benefits are mandatory in Ontario. Income replacement and other benefits are now optional add-ons (O. Reg. 383/24). Alberta moves to a no-fault Care-First scheme on Jan 1, 2027. It bars most lawsuits.
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- Receive —
Settle, repair, and watch your renewal
Choose a repair shop. Your insurer may direct you to preferred shops. Pay your deductible. Keep records of everything. An at-fault claim typically raises your premiums for 6 years. Ask your broker about accident forgiveness before you renew.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to report a minor parking-lot ding?
Is the damage clearly under your province's reporting threshold? Is nobody hurt? Then you can settle privately. But get the agreement in writing, with photos. If hidden damage later pushes the cost over the threshold, report it then. Late reporting is better than none.
The other driver has no insurance. What now?
In every province except Alberta, uninsured-motorist coverage is in every auto policy by law. In Alberta, it is optional. Without the optional SEF 44 endorsement, the safety net is the Motor Vehicle Accident Claims (MVAC) Program (up to $200,000 per accident, injuries only, not vehicle damage). Report to the police. Then claim through your own insurer under that coverage, or through MVAC in Alberta if you lack SEF 44. Your deductible may still apply. But you are not left paying out of pocket.
Should I admit fault at the scene?
No. Exchange facts, not conclusions. Even saying "sorry" has been used in disputes. Insurers decide fault later. Courts decide it too. They use each province's fault-determination rules.
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