Car accidents happen all of the time.

Although Ontario roadways are among the safest and well-kept in Canada, countless accidents happen every year.

For instance, the Ontario Road Safety Annual Report 2018 states that the fatality rate per 10,000 licenced drivers was 0.58, which equates to approximately 602 deaths. Additionally, over 1,700 of these accidents resulted in serious injuries.

Even if you are a responsible motorist with a clean driving history, you need to know what to do if you're involved in a serious accident or collision with another driver. One of the questions that we regularly receive from drivers is, "how long do you have to report an accident in Ontario?".

Continue reading to learn the answer to this question and many more.

How long do you have to report a car accident to the authorities in Ontario?

The amount of time that Ontarians have to report an accident to the authorities depends on the context and severity of the event.

In Ontario, the law states that drivers must report an accident to the authorities immediately under the following circumstances:

• A driver or passenger is injured
• The combined physical damage is greater than $2,000
• A pedestrian is injured, killed, etc.
• Third-party property (that is not a motor vehicle) is damaged in the process
• A criminal act takes place
• One of the motorists is uninsured

Drivers need to report these incidents to an Ontario Collision Reporting Centre within 24 hours of the event.

Drivers involved in car accidents that don't meet the criteria mentioned above do not need to contact the authorities immediately, but they have to report the event to an Ontario Collision Reporting Centre within 24 hours.

Ontarians that choose not to report the accident can potentially get charged with leaving the scene of an accident. The consequences for being charged with leaving the scene of an accident can include:

• A $2,000 fine
• Jail time
• Licence suspension (for a maximum of two years)

Car accident claim time limit Ontario — how long do you have to report an accident to your insurance company?

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) states that drivers in Ontario should report a car accident to the auto insurance provider within seven days of the event.

Drivers that are unable to report the accident within seven days can still report the incident afterwards; however, the settlement may be delayed.

It's worth noting that various car insurance companies in Ontario have their own sets of rules about the time limits for reporting an accident. Be sure to reach out to your Surex insurance advisor or your car insurance provider for more details about their specific timeframes.

Why should you report car accidents to your auto insurance provider?

Some drivers choose not to report small or minor accidents to their car insurance provider. One of the main reasons is that some drivers don't feel that the damage justifies going through the process.

However, we don't advise doing this because it can lead to avoidable issues. For instance, imagine that you got into a minor fender-bender with another driver. At first, you don't notice any problems with your vehicle, nor do you feel any physical injuries. Because of this, you choose not to report the accident to your car insurance provider.

A few weeks later, you wake up with an incredibly stiff neck, making it painful to complete everyday tasks. Shortly after, you notice that your vehicle is making a strange noise. Because you chose not to report the incident to your car insurance provider promptly, you have to cover your medical expenses and vehicle repairs out of your own pocket.

Additionally, it should be noted that most car insurance providers in Ontario require drivers to report all accidents (even minor ones). Whether you choose to file a claim immediately is up to you.

Are you looking for car insurance quotes in Ontario? Save up to 25% with Surex!

With a provincial average of approximately $1,528, Ontario has some of the highest car insurance rates in the country.

Ontario has high insurance rates for a number of reasons, including the high accident rate, the vehicle theft rate and a number of other factors.

If you're looking for ways to save on car insurance in Ontario, contacting your Surex insurance advisor is the best way to start. Our experienced team works closely with the best car insurance carriers in Ontario, allowing us to offer some of the most competitive deals in the industry.

Best of all, we work lightning fast — within ten short minutes, we can provide you with up to ten personalized car insurance quotes. Call or click today to learn how you can save up to 25% when you bundle your car insurance with your home, tenant or condo insurance.

What information should you get from the other driver when you get into an accident?

As mentioned earlier, if a car accident doesn't result in damage over $2,000, injuries, death, etc., then the involved parties can choose not to contact the authorities immediately. If you decide to do this, you need to make sure that you get the following information from the other party or parties:

• Name or names of parties involved
• Phone number or numbers of parties involved
• Insurance information of parties involved

Ask the other parties if you can see their driver's licences and insurance information. Doing this ensures that you are able to copy down the correct information. 

Similarly, it would be best if you cooperated with the other parties by providing them with the same information and documentation.

Drivers should remember that even if they choose not to involve the authorities, they should (or, in some cases, need to) report the incident to their auto insurance provider.

How long do you have to report an accident Ontario?

As a reminder, drivers in Ontario need to report an accident to an Ontario Collision Reporting Centre within 24 hours if the event results in damage over $2,000, injury, death, etc. Additionally, drivers should (or need) to report an accident within seven days of the event or within their provider's set time frame.

Don't hesitate to reach out to your Surex insurance advisor if you have questions about reporting a car accident in Ontario.