What to Do If You've Been in an Accident

Being in an accident is stressful. Take a breath — this guide will walk you through exactly what to do, step by step.

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Is This the Right Article?

This article covers collisions and accidents, including:

• A collision with another vehicle
• A collision involving a pedestrian or cyclist
• A single-vehicle accident (e.g., you hit a pole, guardrail, or drove off the road)

If your vehicle has been damaged but no collision occurred — for example, someone scratched or dented your car in a parking lot, or you discovered damage you can't explain — please see our guide on Reporting Vehicle Damage.

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1. Make Sure Everyone Is Safe

• Move yourself and your passengers away from traffic if it's safe to do so.
• If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately.
• Turn on your hazard lights.

Do not leave the scene of the accident, even if the damage seems minor. Leaving the scene of an accident is a criminal offence in Canada.

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2. Call the Police (If Needed)

You should call the police if:

• Anyone is injured
• A pedestrian or cyclist is involved (always call 911 in this case)
• You suspect another driver is impaired
• There is significant damage to any vehicle or property
• The road is blocked

If the accident is minor, involves only vehicles, and no one is hurt, you may not need police at the scene — but you will still need to report it (see Step 5).

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3. Document Everything

While you're still at the scene, gather as much information as you can.

Take photos and videos of:

• Damage to all vehicles involved (close-up and wide shots)
• The overall accident scene, including road conditions and traffic signs
• Licence plates of all vehicles involved
• Any visible injuries
• For single-vehicle accidents: the object you hit (pole, guardrail, etc.) and the surrounding area

If another driver is involved, collect:

• Full name and phone number
• Driver's licence number
• Insurance company and policy number
• Licence plate number
• Make, model, and colour of their vehicle

If a pedestrian or cyclist is involved, collect:

• Full name and phone number
• Contact information for emergency services if they were called to the scene

Collect from witnesses:

• Full name and phone number

The more you document now, the smoother the process will be later.

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4. Contact Roam Support

Once everyone is safe and you've gathered the information above, contact us. Our team will walk you through next steps and help coordinate a replacement vehicle if needed.

• Phone: 1-647-560-5638 during business hours, or 1-877-340-1737 for after-hours emergencies only
• Email: support@roam.auto

Good to know: In some cases, Roam will provide a replacement vehicle. If you are at fault in the accident, a deductible will need to be collected before a replacement is arranged.

Our support team will ask you to complete an Accident Report Form to help us collect all the details we need. This form will be provided to you when you contact Roam — having the photos, videos, and information from Step 3 ready will make it quick to fill out.

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5. Visit a Collision Reporting Centre

In Ontario, you are required to report any accident where the combined damage to all vehicles exceeds $2,000. Even if you're unsure about the damage amount, it's best to report it.

You must visit a Collision Reporting Centre within 24 hours of the accident. Bring the following:

• Your driver's licence
• The vehicle's registration and insurance information
• All photos, videos, and information you collected at the scene
• A police report number, if the police attended the scene

To find your nearest Collision Reporting Centre, visit Ontario.ca.

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Important Reminders

• Do not leave the scene of the accident. Wait until you've exchanged information and documented everything.
• Do not arrange your own repairs. Roam manages all vehicle repairs. Contact us first and we'll guide you through the process. See Vehicle Repairs: How It Works for more.
• Do not admit fault at the scene. Fault is determined by your insurance provider based on the evidence.

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What Happens Next?

After you've reported the accident and contacted Roam, our team will take it from there. We'll coordinate with our insurance provider, arrange repairs, and work with you on a replacement vehicle if one is needed.

For questions about insurance claims, deductibles, or the repair process, see Understanding Your Protection Plan and Vehicle Repairs: How It Works, or reach out to Roam support and we'll point you in the right direction.