Been Involved in a Collision?
If you've been involved in a collision, please follow the process below. Also check out the FAQ list for additional information.Upload On-Scene Pictures
Click here to capture on scene photos and information about the other driver. Please report to an accident collision center with in 24 hours.Call the Police
The 9-1-1 operator determines if police officers are required at the scene. For a complete list of when a police officer will attend the scene, see the section entitled "Will the Police Attend the Scene to Investigate?" below. In Ontario, if you've been involved in a minor collision with a total combined value of $2000 in damage, by law you have to file a collision report.Attend the Collision Reporting Center
If directed to a CRC, you must report forthwith as stated in the Highway Traffic Act. In most jurisdictions you will have up to 24 hours to report. The driver must report at the CRC in the jurisdiction the collision occurred with:The Vehicle involved in the collision Vehicle Ownership Proof of Insurance Driver's Licence Information Exchanged and Witness Information Passenger Information
Report the Collision
Once at the CRC, our professional and courteous staff will assist you through the reporting process. You will be requested to provide information related to your driver's license, vehicle ownership, and insurance. Once complete, you will be asked to write a statement and complete a diagram.Vehicles Photographed
All vehicles are photographed documenting the collision details and helping to reduce fraudulent claims. A "Damage Reported to Police" sticker is applied to deter additional damage from being added to the vehicles.Insurance Company Notified
If you elect to report to your insurance company, the information is made available to them through our secure portal. This helps speed up the claim process. Telephones are available for you to contact your family, your broker, or your insurance company to start your claim.Will the Police Attend the Scene to Investigate?
Frequently Asked Questions
Ontario's insurance law has set fault determination rules as Regulations under the Insurance Act, which these rules cover almost every possible circumstances of a collision. Fault will be determined by the insurance companies based on these rules.
In Alberta fault for a collision is determined by insurers using the Claims Agreement and Intercompany Fault Chart. The Fault Chart used and its descriptions of fault are very similar to those found under Regulation in Ontario.
It can depend on a number of factors besides fault. We recommend you contact your insurance company or broker who would be best able to answer this based on your individual situation.
Ontario - Your automobile policy states that you agree to report any losses to the insurance company. Insurance Policy Section 1.4.1 states you will report any changes to your Insurance Company. Section 1.4.4 states if reportable under the Highway Traffic Act it must be reported to your insurer within 7 days, in writing. In Section 258.1 of the Insurance Act, if reportable to the Police under the Highway Traffic Act it must be reported to Insurance within 7 days in writing.
Alberta – The Insurance Act, Section 614, Stat Cond 3 (1) says that you give your insurer written notice of any collision involving loss or damage to persons or property and of any claim on account of the collision. Also you have agreed in your insurance policy Statutory Conditions 3.1.
You are liable to pay the percentage of the deductible for which you were found at fault by your insurance company. (50% at fault = 50% deductible)
Accident Support Services is a privately owned company working under contract to police agencies, and serving you on behalf of your Insurance company. ASSI has participating insurers that pay for our services through the savings they realize.
No. The report is a legal document that requires the first hand information from the driver involved and generally includes the driver's statement and signature. The damage to the vehicle must be viewed and recorded.
Yes. Your phone call is often necessary for your claim to start being processed.
A passenger is not generally classified as a witness, rather they are normally classified as an involved person. The witness in a collision is normally an independent witness who has observed the collision event. It is however advisable for passengers to record their observations for future reference.
It is always your choice. Your insurance company will have some helpful advice for you regarding repair shops and guaranties of the repair quality. Give them a call, they are there to help.
No, the driver of the vehicle must complete the official collision report.
In Ontario, if the combined damage (from all vehicles or property involved in the collision) is $2000 or more you have a legal obligation to report that collision as stated in Section 199 of the Highway Traffic Act. The Highway Traffic Act also states that citizens can be directed to another location (ie Collision Reporting Center) to report their collision. If directed to a CRC, you have a legal obligation to attend.
In Alberta, the Traffic Safety Act, Alberta Regulation 320/2002, Part 5, 147 - $2000 Combined Damage Inc. Damage to Property or Injuries is the threshold – Note exceptions exist for requirement to report even if damage is below $2,000.
The Need for Collision Reporting Centers
In many cities, it is no longer feasible for the police to attend the scene of property damage collisions (where there is only damage to vehicles i.e. no damage to private property or injuries).
Citizens are asked to exchange information by Statute in accordance with the Highway Traffic Act / Motor Vehicle Act / Traffic Safety Act with the other involved drivers. This generally includes
Driver Name, Address, Licence, Vehicle Plate, Owner Name, Address, Insurance Company and Policy Number. Citizens may then be directed to a Collision Reporting Center (CRC).
Accident Support Services International Ltd. (ASSI) has established "One Stop Collision Reporting", through a unique partnership involving the police, the insurance industry, and private enterprise,
thereby setting the standard for the professional Collision Reporting Center. ASSI provides professional Collision Reporting Centers to save the police time and allow police to reallocate these resources to
higher priority needs in the community. The centers are funded completely by the Insurance Industry so there is no direct cost to the police or the public.
Our Centers offer a warm safe place to inform both the police and the insurer of the collision in a relaxed, calming environment.
Drivers must report the collision in the jurisdiction where the collision occurred, unless approved by a police officer to report in a different jurisdiction.