How Long Do You Have to Report Accident to Insurance

Car accidents disrupt lives in moments and leave people scrambling for clarity. At DWA Law, our team has handled civil legal cases ranging from car crashes to slip‑and‑fall injuries and medical malpractice. We help guide clients through each step of reporting the accident to insurance companies and understanding their rights under provisions like the Highway Traffic Act. 

If your accident involves injuries or significant damage, then you’ll need to visit your nearest Collision Reporting Centre, you can find your local one by calling 1‑888‑310‑1122. But even after finding a Collision Reporting Centre, the process to report an accident can be confusing. This blog will explain what actions matter most and why timing is crucial in Ontario.

When an accident involves injuries, death, impaired driving or combined property damage over $2,000 you must report the accident to the police immediately and visit your local accident reporting centre. 

A police officer will complete a police report or police accident report form with the details of the accident scene, licence plate number, driver information and vehicles involved. That collision report becomes critical when you contact your insurance provider about the accident. 

Failing to report within 24 hours may not lead to a criminal code offence, but it leaves key evidence unrecorded and undermines your claims process.

Your insurance policy obligates you to report every accident, no matter how minor. Regardless of if you intend to claim or not, you must report car accidents to your insurance provider with full accident details. If you fail to do so, your future insurance coverage can be denied or cancelled. 

The insurance company may later argue that you withheld information about the other vehicle or the extent of property damage, which could lead to higher premiums or refusal to insure you going forward. By providing accurate information about the accident and the other driver involved, you’re protecting your driving record and avoiding severe consequences in the claims process. 

If you’re unsure how to move forward after an accident, a car accident lawyer can help ensure your legal obligations are met.

You must contact your insurance company as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the auto accident. Insurance providers assess claims based on details like combined damage estimates, witness statements and statements to the claims adjuster. 

Delaying beyond seven days gives the insurer reason to deny coverage or withhold direct compensation if they argue delay affected their ability to assess the accident. That seven‑day window starts from the moment you report the accident to the police officer or crash centre. Contacting them sooner preserves evidence that supports your account of vehicle information or fault.

After notifying your insurer, you receive an OCF‑1 form to apply for accident benefits. You must submit that form within thirty days from the date of the collision. 

These accident benefits can cover medical expenses, income replacement, rehabilitation and caregiving costs where you are not at fault or when the other driver is uninsured. When you miss the 30‑day deadline, you can delay access to treatment and support essential for your recovery. The insurance company may withhold payments while reviewing compliance with the policy and verifying medical records or treatment plans. 

Learn more about how to claim for bodily injury from a car accident to understand what’s involved.

Ontario law gives you two years from the date of the accident or the date your injuries became known to sue the other driver for compensation if your injuries persist or worsen, and can cover losses such as bodily injury, emotional harm or loss of income. 

If you delay beyond two years you might lose your right to seek damages entirely.

Should your crash involve municipal hazards, like potholes or missing signage, you are obligated to notify the municipality in writing within ten calendar days, and the notice must detail the date, location, parties involved, and a description of the defect. Only those incidents involving public infrastructure require this notice. 

If you miss that narrow window you may be barred from suing the municipality for negligence or roadway defects. These types of cases can arise from sidewalk falls or roadside hazards. If that applies to you, speak to a slip-and-fall lawyer about what qualifies.

Reporting the accident to your insurance company starts the claim but you must continue cooperating. The insurer may request further documentation such as witness statements, medical records, towing company invoices, body shop repair estimates or statements under oath. Providing accurate information and attending any required examinations under oath is a condition of insurance coverage. 

If you fail to comply or delay responses the insurance company may deny your claim for non‑cooperation even if you were not at fault or had full accident scrutiny. Communicating quickly and fully with claims adjusters helps avoid disputes over the insurance company’s assessment of your losses.

At DWA Law, we help Ontario residents respond to every step with confidence. Regardless of whether you need support with Ontario tort claims involving car accidents or slip‑and‑fall injuries or assistance with disability insurance, life or critical illness claims, or medical malpractice disputes, our team handles complex civil legal issues with care. 

If you need a personal injury lawyer or a local car accident lawyer, reach out. We help you navigate reporting deadlines, claims process and negotiations with no upfront fees. Contact us anytime for a free consultation.