Collision Reporting Threshold Increased to $5,000: Reflecting Rising Vehicle Repair Costs

Tuesday, January 7th, 2025 - 12:11 pm
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Province raises property damage reporting requirement from $2,000 to $5,000 under the Highway Traffic Act

As of January 1, 2025, drivers in Ontario must report collisions involving property damage to police only if the total damage exceeds $5,000. This increase from the previous $2,000 threshold is part of amendments to the Highway Traffic Act.

The provincial government implemented the change to reduce administrative demands on both drivers and law enforcement. However, it also acknowledges the rising costs of vehicle repairs due to inflation and the increasing complexity of automotive technology. These advancements often make repairs more expensive, according to Accident Support Services International (ASSI), a company managing collision reporting services across the province.

Understanding the Reporting Requirements

Victoria Ruffolo, process and development manager at ASSI, clarified that the $5,000 threshold applies to the combined damage of all vehicles involved in a collision, not per vehicle. Regardless of the damage amount, drivers can still report incidents at Collision Reporting Centres (CRCs) for insurance purposes and proper documentation.

“Drivers can report collisions at CRCs regardless of the extent of the damage, ensuring their claims are supported and all necessary details are recorded for their protection,” Ruffolo said in an email.

Impact on Police Workload
Guelph police spokesperson Scott Tracey, drawing from his experience as a dispatcher, noted that the change might not significantly reduce calls for service.

“Even at $5,000—split between two vehicles—the threshold is relatively low and can be reached in many collisions,” Tracey explained. “As a general rule, drivers should report any collision with visible damage to a CRC if the vehicles are driveable. CRC staff can then determine if police involvement is necessary. Additionally, any collision involving property damage, injuries, or undriveable vehicles must be reported to police for further investigation.”

When Police Involvement Is Mandatory

Sgt. Shawn Dunsmoor of the Guelph Police Service emphasized that certain situations require direct police involvement, regardless of the damage amount. These include:

Collisions resulting in injuries
Crashes where a vehicle is undriveable
Incidents involving cyclists or pedestrians
Damage to public or city property, such as fences or buildings

The updated threshold aims to streamline collision reporting while ensuring that significant incidents still receive proper attention from law enforcement.

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