What to Do After a Car Accident in Canada: The Claim Process Step by Step

Q: What if the other driver has no insurance?

Your policy's uninsured automobile coverage (mandatory in Ontario) responds. Get the police report — it matters more than usual here.

Llandora·Updated 2026-10-14

⚠️ Disclaimer: For general information only — not tax, financial, legal, or medical advice. Figures may be outdated or incorrect; tax rules change frequently. Verify important decisions with the CRA/IRS or a qualified professional (for health topics, a licensed healthcare provider). You use this information at your own risk.

The short answer

A collision is stressful, and the minutes after it matter — for your safety, for the police report, and for the insurance claim that follows. This is the full sequence: at the scene, reporting, notifying your insurer, and how the claim actually gets resolved. Procedural guidance only; if anyone is hurt, call 911 and get medical help — that always comes first.

Step 1: At the scene — safety first

Stop. Leaving the scene of an accident is a criminal offence in Canada. Stay.
Check for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 911 immediately and do not move injured people unless they are in immediate danger.
Make the scene safe. Turn on hazard lights. If the vehicles are drivable and it is safe to move them, pull to the side of the road; otherwise leave them and wait.
Call police to the scene when: someone is injured or killed, you suspect impaired or criminal driving, public property is damaged, or a pedestrian or cyclist is involved.

Step 2: Exchange information

Get from every other driver involved:

Full name, address, phone number
Driver's licence number
Licence plate number
Insurance company name and policy number
Vehicle year, make, model, and colour

Photographing the other driver's licence and insurance slip with your phone is the fastest accurate way. Also collect names and phone numbers of any witnesses — independent witnesses can decide a disputed claim.

Step 3: Document everything yourself

Do this before vehicles are moved if you safely can:

Photos/video of all vehicle damage, vehicle positions, skid marks, road signs, traffic lights, weather and road conditions
Note the date, time, exact location, direction of travel, and your written recollection of what happened — memory fades fast
Keep every receipt from this point on (towing, rental car, medical)

Step 4: Do not admit fault

Be polite, but do not say "it was my fault" or apologize in a way that admits liability — at the scene, to the other driver, or on a recorded call. Fault in Ontario is determined by the province's Fault Determination Rules, not by roadside statements. Stick to facts.

Step 5: Report to police or a Collision Reporting Centre

In Ontario, you must report a collision to police as soon as possible when: someone is injured, combined damage appears to exceed $5,000, public property is damaged, or criminal activity is suspected.

If police do not attend the scene but the collision is reportable, go in person to a Collision Reporting Centre (CRC) — in most Ontario municipalities within 24 hours. Bring:

The vehicle involved
Driver's licence
Vehicle ownership (registration)
Proof of insurance (pink slip)
The information you exchanged with the other driver(s)

At the CRC you complete a Motor Vehicle Collision Report: photos of the damage are taken, an officer takes your statement, and the report enters the official system. Reporting thresholds and CRC availability vary by province and municipality — check your local police service's site, since older guides may cite different dollar thresholds.

Step 6: Notify your insurer promptly

Call your insurer as soon as practical — most policies require prompt notice, and delays can complicate a claim. Have ready: your policy number, the date/time/location, the other driver's information, the police or CRC report number, and your photos.

What happens next:

You get a claim number and an adjuster assigned.
The adjuster determines fault (in Ontario, under the Fault Determination Rules) and confirms which coverages apply.
If you were not at fault in Ontario, your own insurer pays for your vehicle repairs under Direct Compensation – Property Damage (DCPD) — you deal with your own company, not the other driver's.
An appraiser inspects the damage and authorizes repairs at an approved shop, or declares the car a total loss if repair cost exceeds its value.

Step 7: Repairs, rental car, and total loss

Repairs: your insurer will direct you to approved shops or let you choose; keep the estimate paperwork.
Rental car: covered only if you bought loss-of-use / transportation replacement coverage (OPCF 20 in Ontario) — it is optional, and many newcomers do not have it. Check your policy before assuming.
Total loss: the insurer pays the car's actual cash value (market value the day before the crash), minus your deductible. If you owe more on a loan than the payout, the difference is yours unless you bought loan/lease gap coverage.

Step 8: If you disagree with the outcome

Fault decision: you can ask for a review and provide additional evidence (dashcam footage is powerful here — worth installing one).
Repair or valuation disputes: most policies have an appraisal process for disagreements.
Complaints: escalate first within the insurer, then to your provincial regulator (FSRA in Ontario) or the national ombudsman service for insurance.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to file the insurance claim?

Notify your insurer right away; formal claim deadlines are in your policy and in provincial limitation law. Do not wait weeks — late notice is one of the few things that can genuinely hurt an otherwise valid claim.

Will my premium go up after a not-at-fault accident?

In Ontario, insurers generally cannot raise your premium for a not-at-fault accident. At-fault accidents typically affect premiums for several years.

What if the other driver has no insurance?

Your policy's uninsured automobile coverage (mandatory in Ontario) responds. Get the police report — it matters more than usual here.

What if the other driver flees (hit and run)?

Call police immediately, report to a CRC, and notify your insurer. Your collision coverage (if you carry it) or uninsured automobile coverage may apply depending on the province and circumstances.

Should I get a dashcam?

For claim purposes, yes — it is the single best investment for protecting yourself in fault disputes, and some insurers offer small discounts.

Sources

Ottawa Police Service, Collision Reporting: https://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/reports-and-services/collision-reporting/
Government of Ontario newsroom, Who do you call after an auto collision?: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/88273/who-do-you-call-after-an-auto-collision
Sonnet Insurance, You've gotten into a car accident — now what?: https://www.sonnet.ca/blog/auto/general/car-accident-next-steps

This article is general procedural information about post-accident steps and insurance claims in Canada, not legal advice. Reporting thresholds, fault rules, and claim procedures vary by province — confirm current rules with your local police service and insurer, and consult a licensed professional for your situation. If anyone is injured, seek medical attention immediately.

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