When Do You Have To Go A Collision Reporting Centre & What Happens To Your Insurance?

Posted January 16, 2007 12:00 pm.

This article is more than 5 years old.

If Monday’s storm didn’t take drivers by surprise, it appears to have left some of them stunned.

There were at least 700 accidents on the highways and as many as a thousand more across the GTA on city streets as freezing rain and snow caused havoc everywhere.

For many people it was their first close encounter with another vehicle and a collision reporting centre.

Drivers are required to report their mishap to one of the special traffic places within 24 hours of an accident depending on the seriousness of the impact.

For most people, it’s just part of the hassle.

But even though the law mandates that you report the incident, what happens if you don’t? Some people involved in a fender bender fear their insurance rates will skyrocket if they let police know about a minor scrape. And they agree to resolve things amongst themselves, without involving either the cops or their brokers.

What happens if you and your fellow accident victim decide to take that route?

You’re breaking the law and taking a chance, warns one official.

“You need to report to a Collision Reporting Centre if there’s no injuries or if there’s no criminal activity involved,” explains spokesman Bob Gutwein. “If your vehicle is towed you need to make sure that that vehicle is brought directly from the scene right to the reporting centre.”

But won’t your insurance premiums go up? “You protect yourself if you report to your insurance company from the potential of any misguided adventure on the part of the other person involved in the collision,” answers Gutwein.

In other words if he tells and you don’t, you’re the one in big trouble.

Here’s another look at what you need to ask yourself before you report and where to go when you do.

Once You’ve Had An Accident

If it’s not serious, no one is hurt and there are no safety issues, get the cars off the road.

Call police to ensure their presence isn’t necessary. They’ll be able to tell you the location of your nearest collision centre.

Exchange information with anyone involved. Be sure to get their name, phone number, license information and the name of their insurance company.

Report to a collision reporting centre within 24 hours, with any documentation you may need. Remember that by law, any towed car must be taken to one of the centres.

What Do You Report?

If the damage is minimal – under $1,000 – police don’t need to be involved. You only need to involve them if:

There’s a death or serious injury.
The accident is a result of criminal behaviour (like impaired driving or a stolen car).
The mishap involves a T.T.C. bus or streetcar or a federal or provincial vehicle.
The accident involves someone who’s not insured or whose license is already under suspension.
It involves a vehicle or truck transporting dangerous goods, like chemicals.
There’s serious property damage.

Collision Centre Locations

They can be found at:

Scarborough
39 Howden Rd.
(Lawrence E., between Warden and Birchmount.

Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Etobicoke
855 Oxford St.
(Near Royal York Road, between QEW and Evans Ave.)
Monday-Friday 7am-9pm
*This location has since closed.

North York
113 Toryork Dr.
(Near Weston Road, between Steeles and Finch)
Open seven days a week 6:30am-1.30-am

Brampton
7750 Hurontario St.
(Near Hwy. 10 & Steeles)

185 Central Park Drive
(Highway 7 and Central Park Dr.)

Milton

203 Steeles Ave.

Mississauga
3030 Erin Mills Parkway
(Near Dundas St. West)

4600 Dixie Road