What to Do After a Minor Car Accident in Ontario

Regardless of how experienced or talented you are behind the wheel, you never know when you might get into a car accident.

In 2021, Ontarian authorities responded to over 60,000 auto accidents — that equals out to approximately 164 accidents per day!

Many drivers know what to do after a severe car accident occurs, but do you know how to proceed after a minor accident takes place? If you don’t, you’re not alone. That being said, it’s extremely important for you to know what to do after a minor car accident Ontario.

That’s where we step in.

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In today’s article, we’ll briefly outline what to do after a minor accident takes place.

Continue reading to learn more.

When do you have to report an Ontario car accident?

In Ontario, drivers need to file a police report if they’re involved in a major accident or collision under the following circumstances:

• The accident resulted in more than $2,000 worth of damage (between both vehicles)
• The accident resulted in municipal or third-party property damage
• A bystander was involved in the event
• An injury or death occurs
• A government vehicle was involved in the collision
• A criminal act (ex., driving under the influence) takes place
• One of the involved parties doesn’t have valid car insurance

However, if the accident doesn’t meet the criteria mentioned above and results in less than $2,000 worth of damage (to both vehicles), you do not need to file a police report. Instead, you’ll have to contact a collision report centre and your auto insurance provider.

What to do after a car accident Ontario?

Continue reading to learn the minor accident guidelines Ontario drivers should follow:

What should you do immediately after a minor accident takes place?

Here’s what drivers should do immediately after being involved in a car accident in Ontario:

• Pull over and stop your vehicle (if possible). Make sure that it is safe to pull over.
• Assess the severity of potential injuries. If there are any injuries, be sure to call 911 as soon as possible.
• Get out of your car and take pictures and videos of the vehicular damage. You can use the photos and videos as evidence if you need to file an insurance claim.
• As mentioned above, you do not need to file a police report for minor accidents unless there are injuries or you believe that one of the involved parties is breaking a law.

What should you do within 24 hours of getting into a minor accident?

Here’s what you should do within 24 hours of being involved in a minor accident Ontario:

• Contact a collision report centre if the accident results in less than $2,000 worth of damage (between both vehicles) and there are no injuries. The centre representative will ask you to file a police report and provide the related documentation to your auto insurance provider.
• Even if the accident is minor, you should always reach out to your insurance company or advisor if you’re involved in an accident or collision.
• Contact the towing company and pick up your vehicle if it is ready.

How can drivers avoid getting into minor accidents in Ontario?

Unfortunately, there’s no sure-fire way to completely avoid getting into car accidents — there are too many variables at play. Not to mention, we can’t control other drivers’ actions on the road. 

But, there are several things drivers can do to minimize the chance of getting into a minor accident in Ontario.

Here are some examples:

• Always pay attention to the road
• Stay calm and ignore aggressively motorists
• Always respect the rules of the road
• Don’t drive while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
• Avoid adjusting music while on the road and keep it at a manageable volume
• Follow the speed limit and avoid speeding
• Don’t drive while tired
• Avoid driving too close to the motorist in front of you (tailgating)
• Avoid driving late at night or during poor weather conditions, particularly during the winter

Using the tips mentioned above can drastically reduce the risk of getting into a minor or major car accident in Ontario.

Do minor accidents affect car insurance rates in Ontario?

As of June 1, 2016, the Financial Commission of Ontario (FSCO) stated that it would no longer allow car insurance companies to increase a driver’s rates after being involved in an accident that results in less than $2,000.

This means that if you get into a mini fender bender or accidentally back into your neighbour’s truck, you won’t see an increase in your rates unless the damage exceeds $2,000.

That being said, there are a few additional points to this minor accident rule:

• The criteria include that no payment has been made by any insurer
• That there are no injuries, 
• That damages to each car and property were less than $2,000 per car 
• Any damages were paid by the at-fault driver. 

So if your neighbour decides to get his truck fixed through his insurance company, the "minor accident" title no longer applies and it will show as an at-fault accident on your insurance record and unfortunately, it will increase your future rates.

drivers should note that this only applies to one minor car accident every three years. So, your car insurance rates may go up if you get into more than one minor car accident every three years.

Speaking of car insurance in Ontario…

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Want to learn more about car insurance in Ontario?

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The Surex blog is chock-full of in-depth articles that dive into various aspects of the Canadian insurance industry.

If you have specific questions about car insurance or your personal car insurance policy, you can reach out to your Surex insurance advisor at any time.