After a crash in Ottawa you may owe two separate reports, one to police and one to your insurer, and each has its own deadline.
Collision reporting in Ottawa comes down to three questions: is anyone hurt, can the cars still be driven, and is the combined damage over $5,000? If anyone is hurt, call 911. If a car cannot be driven, call Ottawa Police at 613-236-1222. If everyone is fine and the cars can move, Ontario law sends you to a police Collision Reporting Centre once damage passes $5,000, and Ottawa Police say you have 30 days. Your insurer wants to hear from you within seven days either way. This guide follows the order of events, from the roadside to the body shop.
Key Highlights
TL;DR: Call 911 if anyone is hurt or a crime is involved. Report to an Ottawa Police Collision Reporting Centre if the combined damage is over $5,000, within 30 days. Tell your insurer within seven days, whoever was at fault. You may choose your own repair shop as long as your insurer approves the estimate, and the insurer pays the lower of the repair cost or your car's actual cash value.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Deadlines | Police report: as soon as possible, and within 30 days per Ottawa Police. Insurer: within seven days |
| 📍 Centres | 211 Huntmar (Kanata), 474 Elgin Street, and 3343 St-Joseph Boulevard (Orléans) |
| 🎟️ Police report needed | Injuries, or combined damage to vehicles or property over $5,000, or damage to public or private property |
| ⏰ Repair rules | Written estimate, final bill no more than 10% over it, and a minimum 90-day or 5,000 km warranty on parts and labour |
When to Call 911 or 613-236-1222 After a Collision
Ottawa Police give a short order of operations. If anyone is hurt, or there is any sign of a crime such as impaired or distracted driving, call 911 right away. If nobody is hurt but a vehicle cannot be driven, call 613-236-1222 so police can decide what happens next. If nobody is hurt and the vehicles can be driven, the next steps are for you, not a patrol car.
Police will attend, rather than send you to a centre, when a collision involves a death, or a serious injury where someone is taken to hospital. They also attend when there is criminal activity (impaired driving, a stolen vehicle, assault), dangerous goods, an uninsured or suspended driver, or damage to private, municipal or highway property. An injured cyclist or pedestrian is another trigger, and so is any collision between midnight and 8:00 a.m. where a vehicle is not drivable.
If your collision does not fit that list but still meets Ontario's reporting rules, Ottawa Police say you must report it at a Collision Reporting Centre. An officer at the scene can also refer you to a centre, and if so you have to go.
Ottawa Collision Reporting Centres: the $5,000 Rule and the 30-Day Limit
Under Ontario's Highway Traffic Act, a collision must be reported to police as soon as possible when anyone is injured, when combined damage to vehicles or property is more than $5,000, or when any private, municipal or highway property is damaged. Ottawa Police say that if the vehicles involved have more than $5,000 combined damage, you must report to a Collision Reporting Centre immediately. They also state that collisions must be reported within 30 days of the incident. If the damage is very minor, their advice is to call your insurance company and talk through your options.
The $5,000 figure is the combined damage, not your share of it. Modern bumpers, sensors and cameras can push a repair bill up fast, so if you cannot tell which side of the line you are on, our suggestion is to report. Reporting when you did not strictly need to costs you little, while skipping a report you did need is a legal problem.
Ottawa Police list three centres: 211 Huntmar in Kanata, 474 Elgin Street in downtown Ottawa, and 3343 St-Joseph Boulevard in Orléans. Hours at the time of writing, as posted by the centres' operator, are weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and weekends 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Kanata, weekdays 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Elgin, and weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Orléans. Hours and wait times change, so check the Ottawa Police collision reporting page before you drive over.
Each driver must attend in person, with the vehicle, and you do not have to use the same centre as the other driver. You can start the report online before you arrive. Bring the vehicle, proof of ownership, proof of insurance, your driver's licence, the information you exchanged with the other driver, and any witness or passenger details. Later, a copy of the report comes through the Ottawa Police freedom of information process.
What to Collect at the Scene
Ottawa Police's checklist is practical. Move the vehicles to safety if you can, so you are not blocking traffic. Record where the collision happened, the plate numbers, and the year, make, model and colour of the other vehicles. Exchange driver's licence details, insurance company and policy information, and a phone number, and confirm the other driver's full name and address from their licence.
The fastest way to do that under stress is to photograph each other's documents on your phone. Photograph the scene, the position of the cars and the damage as well, and get names and contact details from any witnesses so police or your insurer can reach them. FSRA, Ontario's insurance regulator, also lists the date, time and location of the accident among the things your insurer will ask for, so note them while they are fresh.
On towing, two sentences are enough here. Ottawa Police say to call the 1-800 number on your insurance documents and follow your insurer's instructions, and never accept a tow company's claim that it is under police contract. In Ontario a tow operator must have your consent documented and give you the maximum fee before towing; our tow truck scams guide has the details.
In winter, snowbanks and slush change what you can see and where cars end up, but they do not change the paperwork. Our winter driving safety guide and the winter parking ban guide cover the road side of the season.
Starting an Insurance Claim After a Collision
FSRA says you must report an accident to your broker, agent or insurance company within seven days, or as quickly as possible after that. Waiting too long can lead an insurer to refuse the claim. The police report does not replace this call, and the call does not replace the police report.
Have these ready: your policy number, the vehicle details and plate, the date, time and place, a description of what happened, any injuries and the number of passengers, the extent of the damage, and the other drivers' names, licence numbers, insurers and policy numbers. If police were involved, include the officer's name and badge number. A claims adjuster will then contact you. They may ask you to complete a Proof of Loss form and will explain what the insurer will cover.
If you or a passenger were hurt, accident benefits apply regardless of who caused the crash. For policies entered into on or after July 1, 2026, only medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits remain mandatory, and other benefits depend on what you bought; see our car insurance guide for Ottawa for what changed and how rates and complaints work. If you disagree with how a claim is handled, start with your insurer's complaint officer and ask for its final position in writing.
Ontario Fault Rules and Direct Compensation, in Plain Words
Your insurer decides fault using Ontario's Fault Determination Rules, not the police officer's opinion and not a charge. FSRA says the rules cover more than 40 accident situations, apply regardless of road or weather conditions, and can put a driver anywhere from zero to 100 per cent at fault. A traffic ticket does not automatically make you at fault for insurance purposes, and no ticket does not mean you are clear.
A few examples from the regulation, in plain terms. If you are hit from behind in the same lane, the driver who hit you is 100 per cent at fault, whether you were stopped or moving. If you change lanes and sideswipe someone, you are 100 per cent at fault, and the same goes for a driver who fails to obey a stop sign or traffic signal, turns left into the path of an oncoming car, or opens a door or backs up into another vehicle. If a parked car is struck, its driver is not at fault. Some scenarios are split: a sideswipe on the centre line is 50-50, and so is an intersection where nobody can show who had the right of way. Where more than one rule fits, the one that gives the insured the least fault applies.
Fault matters because of how Ontario pays for car damage. Under Direct Compensation, Property Damage (DCPD), your own insurer pays for repairs or replacement, a rental car and damaged contents in your vehicle, and how much you get depends on how much fault is assigned to you. You do not chase the other driver's insurer. FSRA says you can expect to pay your full deductible unless the accident was not your fault, or was only partly your fault. Since January 2024, you can choose in writing not to claim DCPD; FSRA warns that may not be the best option and suggests talking to your broker first.
Two cases work differently. If the other driver is uninsured, mandatory Uninsured Motorist Coverage can pay up to $25,000, less the first $300, and you must be able to identify the other owner or driver. If the other car is from outside Ontario, DCPD applies only when that insurer has filed an agreement with FSRA; otherwise your claim falls under your own collision coverage or the other jurisdiction's rules. Optional Collision or Upset coverage pays to fix your car regardless of fault, less your deductible, and FSRA's claims booklet notes it is the coverage that helps when a driver hits your parked car and leaves.
If you are found 50 per cent or more at fault, FSRA says your premium is likely to go up at renewal. If you disagree with the fault decision, ask your adjuster which rule was applied, and send any new information, such as an independent witness. FSRA says an insurer will generally reconsider only when relevant new information comes in.
Choosing an Auto Body Shop, Estimates and Warranties
FSRA's claims booklet says that as long as your insurer approves the estimate, you may have your vehicle repaired at the shop of your choice. Your insurer may suggest one of its preferred shops. The booklet notes that using one can be easier because the insurer takes on the job of making sure the work is done properly, but that is a convenience, not a requirement. The same booklet says the insurer's obligation is to return your car to its pre-accident condition. To compare shops, browse the Auto Body & Collision listings in Ottawa and ask each for a written estimate.
Auto body shops are covered by Ontario's Consumer Protection Act. Before a shop can charge you it must give you a written estimate, unless you decline one and agree on a maximum price. The final bill cannot be more than 10 per cent above the estimate. The estimate must describe the repairs, say whether parts are new, used or reconditioned and whether they come from the original manufacturer, show each part's price, explain how labour is calculated, and give a completion date. A shop may charge for an estimate, but it must tell you the fee first. Never sign a blank work order.
When your insurer is paying, expect a few more terms. FSRA says your policy lets the insurer repair with parts of "like kind and quality", so a used fender on an older car is possible, though new manufacturer parts are likely on a car under a year old and most insurers replace safety parts, such as a deployed airbag, with new ones. Insurers may also use aftermarket parts approved by the Certified Automobile Parts Association. "Betterment" can apply: if a repair leaves the car in better shape than before, such as a replaced rusty panel, the insurer can ask you to contribute.
The final invoice must list the parts installed, the labour, the odometer readings at drop-off and pickup, and the warranty terms. Under the Act, parts and labour generally carry a warranty of at least 90 days or 5,000 kilometres, whichever comes first. If the repair fails or the car becomes unsafe in that period, the original shop must refund what you paid and any reasonable towing costs. For a dispute, put your complaint in writing first, get a second shop's written assessment if needed, and then file a complaint with the Ontario ministry or go to court. A shop can keep your car until you pay.
When Your Car Is Written Off
FSRA explains the test plainly: your insurer pays the lower of two figures, the cost to repair the damage or the actual cash value of the vehicle at the time of the loss. Actual cash value is what it would take to replace your car with a comparable used one, based on its mileage, age, condition and average retail price, plus applicable sales tax. Your insurer will not pay more to repair the car than that value, less your deductible.
If repairs would cost more than the actual cash value, the insurer will likely treat the car as a total loss and offer a cash settlement, and in most cases buying the replacement is up to you. Tell your adjuster about any recent work you think raised the car's value and keep the receipts, though FSRA notes that routine repairs to keep a car running may not add to its value. An exception exists for some new vehicles: an optional "removing depreciation" endorsement, usually for two to five years, can reimburse the original list price.
If the offer looks low, FSRA's advice is to do your homework. Find asking prices for five similar vehicles, average them, and take the gap to your adjuster. If you still disagree on the value or the repair cost, either side can ask in writing for an appraisal under the Insurance Act. Each side names an appraiser, and if they cannot agree they choose an umpire. If your insurer will not move on the claim itself, use the complaint steps in our car insurance guide.
FAQ
Q: Do I have to report a minor collision to police in Ottawa?
Only if anyone was injured, combined damage to vehicles or property is over $5,000, or public or private property was damaged. Ottawa Police say very minor damage can be handled by calling your insurer. If you are unsure of the repair cost, reporting is the safer choice, and you still need to tell your insurer.
Q: How long do I have to go to a collision reporting centre in Ottawa?
Ontario law says report as soon as possible. Ottawa Police add that collisions must be reported within 30 days of the incident. The drivers must attend with their vehicles and documents, and you can start the report online first. Do not wait: details fade, and your insurer may ask for the report.
Q: Do I have to use the body shop my insurer recommends?
No. FSRA says that as long as your insurer approves the estimate, you may use the shop of your choice. Preferred shops can be easier because the insurer stands behind the work, but they are optional. Get a written estimate either way, and ask about the warranty before work starts.
Q: What if the other driver has no insurance or leaves the scene?
Call police and your insurer. Mandatory Uninsured Motorist Coverage can pay up to $25,000, less the first $300, if you can identify the other owner or driver. If the driver cannot be identified, your repair costs are covered only if your policy includes optional Collision or Upset coverage.
Q: What happens if my car is declared a total loss?
Your insurer pays the lower of the repair cost or the car's actual cash value, less your deductible, and usually offers a cash settlement. If the amount seems low, share comparable listings and receipts for recent work with your adjuster. If you still disagree, you can ask in writing for an appraisal under the Insurance Act.
Final Thoughts
The sequence is easier than it feels at the roadside: safety first, then the right phone call, then photos and documents, then the police centre if the damage passes $5,000, and your insurer within seven days. Fault is decided by rules you can read, and you keep the right to pick your own repair shop. For rates, accident benefits and complaints, read our car insurance guide for Ottawa, and compare shops through the Auto Body & Collision directory. Rules and hours change, so confirm them on the official pages below.
Source: Ottawa Police Service, Collision Reporting
Source: FSRA, After an Accident: Understanding the Claims Process
Source: FSRA, After an Auto Accident: Understanding the Claims Process (booklet)
Source: Ontario e-Laws, R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 668, Fault Determination Rules
