BLOG – UNDER THE HOOD

It’s the sound every driver dreads: the crunch of metal, the hiss of steam, or the dull thud of a fender bender.

In the moments after a collision, your heart is pounding, adrenaline is surging, and a dozen questions hit you at once. “Is everyone okay?” “What do I do next?” “What am I legally required to do?”

It’s stressful. And that stress is amplified by outdated information.

For years, Alberta drivers followed a “$2,000 rule.” As of January 1, 2024, that rule is obsolete. The legal reporting threshold for property damage has more than doubled to $5,000.

This guide is your new “cut stress” plan. It’s a calm, authoritative voice in a moment of panic. We’ve built this complete guide—based 100% on current Alberta law—to be your definitive checklist.

Print it out, put it in your glovebox with the items we list below, and know that you have a plan.

Phase 0: The “Cut Stress” Glovebox Kit (Prepare Before it Happens)

The best way to “cut stress” during an accident is to be prepared. Take 5 minutes today and put these items in your glovebox.

• Your Documents: Ensure your current Insurance Pink Card and Vehicle Registration are easily accessible (not buried under 5 years of oil change receipts).
• A Pen & Paper: Phones die. Batteries get smashed. A simple pen and a small notepad are foolproof for writing down the other driver’s info, witness names, and notes.
• This Guide: Print a copy of this checklist and keep it with your notepad. When you’re panicked, having a physical list to follow is a game-changer.
• Roadside Assistance Info: Have your AMA or other roadside assistance provider’s number handy.

The “Cut Stress” Collision Checklist

PHASE 1: AT THE SCENE (Safety & Documentation)

1. Stop. Breathe. Check for Injuries. Your first priority is health. Check yourself, your passengers, and the occupants of the other vehicle. If there is any doubt, any pain, or any sign of serious injury, call 911 immediately.
2. Move to Safety (If Possible). If the collision is minor and vehicles are drivable, move them out of active traffic (like to a shoulder or side street) to prevent another accident. Turn on your hazard lights.
3. Do NOT Admit Fault. This is critical. Stick to the facts. You can say “I’m sorry this happened,” but do not say “This was my fault.” Let the police and insurance providers determine legal responsibility.
4. Call the Police (Know the Law). This is where the new rule is crucial. You must call the police to the scene if:
   • Any injuries or fatalities occur (no matter how minor).
   • It is a hit-and-run.
   • You suspect any driver is impaired (alcohol or drugs).
   • Any driver fails to provide their license, registration, or insurance, or is uncooperative.
   • Any vehicle is not drivable (even if damage seems minor).
   • A large commercial vehicle (like a school bus or semi-trailer) is involved.
   • Any public or private property (a sign, guardrail, or light post) is damaged.
   • The total combined damage to all vehicles appears to be over $5,000. (When in doubt, make the call).
5. Document Everything. While staying safe and out of traffic, use your phone:
   • Photos: Take too many photos. Get all vehicles from all angles, wide shots of the scene, road conditions, skid marks, and any damaged property.
   • Documents: Take clear photos of the other driver’s License, Insurance Pink Card, and Vehicle Registration. Get their phone number.
   • Details: Note the location, time of day, and weather.
6. Get Witness Info. If any pedestrians or other drivers stopped, get their name and phone number. A neutral third-party witness is invaluable.

PHASE 2: REPORTING THE ACCIDENT (The Legalities)

1. File a Police Report. If the police did not attend the scene (e.g., it was a fender bender over $5,000 but with no injuries), you must still report it. Go to the nearest RCMP or municipal police station to file a report. This police report (often called an “A-Form”) is essential for your insurance claim.
2. Call Your Insurance Provider. Contact your insurance company (ideally within 24 hours) to open a claim. Provide them with the facts you gathered, your photos, and the police report number (if you have it).

PHASE 3: CHOOSING THE REPAIR (Your Choice, Your Rights)

1. Know Your Rights. This is the most important step. You have the legal right to choose your own auto body repair shop. Your insurance provider may suggest a “preferred shop,” but they cannot force you to go there.
2. Get an Expert Estimate. Your vehicle is a high-tech investment. Get it inspected by a trusted, certified shop (like CSN JD Collision) that provides a lifetime warranty and will advocate for you during the insurance process.

PHASE 4: THE “CUT STRESS” REPAIR (Our Process)

1. Authorize the Blueprint. You give us permission to fully assess the damage. This isn’t just a visual quote; we “blueprint” the vehicle, which may involve removing the bumper to find hidden damage.
2. We Handle the Insurance. We send our detailed blueprint and photos directly to your insurance adjuster. We are your advocates, ensuring they approve the correct repair with the right parts.
3. Restore to Factory-Safe Standards. Our certified technicians repair your vehicle using manufacturer-approved procedures.
4. Drive Away with a Lifetime Warranty. You get your keys back with our National Lifetime Warranty, giving you total peace of mind.

The “Glovebox Guide”: A Deep Dive Into Your Checklist

The checklist above is your quick-action plan. Now, here is the “why” behind every step, so you can handle the entire process with confidence.

Phase 1: At the Scene of the Accident

Your actions in the first 15 minutes are the most critical.

Staying Calm & Checking Injuries: Adrenaline can mask pain. Even a “minor” headache or sore neck should be treated as a potential injury. When you call 911, they will walk you through what to do until help arrives.

Moving to Safety: On a busy road, a stopped car is a secondary hazard. If (and only if) the accident is minor, everyone is uninjured, and the cars are drivable, the safest move is to get off the main roadway.

Documentation is Your Armour: You can never have too much evidence. A photo of the other driver’s license plate is good. A photo of their license, insurance, and registration is iron-clad. Photos of the cars before they are moved (if safe to do so) are also ideal.

The “Must-Call-Police” Rule: The NEW $5,000 Law Explained

This is the biggest change for Alberta drivers. That old $2,000 number is gone.

The Government of Alberta raised the threshold to $5,000 to better reflect the high cost of modern vehicle repairs. With repair costs rising significantly, a simple bumper cover with sensors and a camera can easily cost $3,000-$4,000 to replace, turning a “fender bender” into a mandatory report.

Remember: $5,000 is the combined total damage. If your car has $3,000 of damage and the other has $2,500, you are legally required to report it.

But the dollar amount is only one factor. You must call the police to the scene immediately, regardless of damage, if:

• Anyone is injured.
• It’s a hit-and-run.
• A driver is impaired.
• A driver is uninsured, uncooperative, or has no license.
• You hit public property (a stop sign, a guardrail).
• A vehicle needs to be towed.
• A commercial vehicle is involved.

When in doubt, make the call. It is the safest, most legally-sound decision you can make.

Phase 2: Reporting the Accident (The “Aftermath”)

Filing the Police Report: If the police didn’t come to the scene, you must go to a station. Do this as soon as possible. This isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a legal requirement. This report, often called a “Collision Report Form,” is the official document your insurance company needs to proceed.

Calling Your Insurance Company: This call starts the financial recovery process. Be polite, and stick to the facts you documented. Tell them what happened, where it happened, who was involved, and that you have photos. They will assign you a claims adjuster and give you a claim number.

Phase 3: Choosing Your Repair Shop (The “Cut Stress” Phase)

This is the part where you take back control.

After a collision, your insurance provider will open a claim and may say, “We recommend you go to X shop for your estimate.”

You need to know this: You are not legally obligated to go to their shop.

In Alberta, you have the right to have your vehicle repaired at the shop of your choice. This is a critical consumer protection right. Your insurer’s “preferred” shop has an agreement with them. You should choose a shop that has an agreement with you.

You need a partner who will:

• Advocate for You: A shop that works for you will fight to ensure your vehicle is repaired with the right parts (OEM vs. Aftermarket) according to manufacturer specifications.
• Provide a Lifetime Warranty: We back our work with a National Lifetime Warranty, good at any CSN shop in Canada. That’s our promise of safety.
• Cut the Stress: With over 50 years of experience, we’ve seen it all. We handle the insurance paperwork, we explain the entire process, and we don’t start work until you are 100% comfortable.

Phase 4: Demystifying the “Cut Stress” Repair Process

We know the “aftermath” is just as stressful as the accident. Here’s what happens when you choose us, broken down into simple, transparent steps.

1. The Expert Estimate & “Blueprint”: A visual-only estimate can miss 50% of the damage. We “blueprint” your vehicle, which often means removing the damaged bumper or panel to see the hidden structure underneath. This ensures we find all the damage right from the start.
2. Your Advocate with Insurance: We send this detailed blueprint—with photos and manufacturer-mandated repair procedures—directly to your insurance adjuster. We speak their language and act as your expert advocate, ensuring they approve the correct and safe repair, not just the fastest or cheapest one.
3. The Restoration: Our certified technicians restore your vehicle to factory-safe standards. This includes everything from structural alignment to computerized auto painting to ensure a perfect, invisible repair.
4. The Final Promise: Before you get your keys back, we do a final quality control check and a post-repair scan to ensure all systems are perfect. You drive away with the confidence of our National Lifetime Warranty.

Your “Cut Stress” Post-Accident FAQs

Q: Do I really have to report a minor fender bender in Alberta?

A: If you are 100% certain the total combined damage to all vehicles is under $5,000 and no other mandatory reporting conditions are met (no injuries, not a hit-and-run, etc.), you are not legally required to file a police report. However, for your own protection, we always recommend it.

Q: What are the penalties for not reporting an accident in Alberta?

A: If you are legally required to report a collision (over $5,000 or other conditions) and you don’t, it’s a “Failure to Report” offence. According to Alberta law, this can result in fines of up to $2,000 and 7 demerit points.

Q: What’s the difference between “Failure to Report” and a “Hit and Run”?

A: They are vastly different. “Failure to Report” is a provincial traffic offence. A “Hit and Run” (or “Failure to Remain at the Scene”) is a much more serious charge. It can be a Criminal Code offence that can lead to severe penalties, including imprisonment.

Q: I was a passenger, not the driver. Do I have to report the accident?

A: This is a great question. The Alberta Traffic Safety Act (Section 69) puts the primary legal duty on the driver. However, if the driver is incapable of making the report (e.g., they are injured), the legal duty then falls to any occupant (passenger) who is capable of doing so.

Q: My insurance says I have to go to their “preferred shop.” Is this true?

A: No. This is false. In Alberta, it is your legal right to choose your auto body shop. Your insurance company can recommend a shop, but they cannot force you to go there. You have the final say.

You’ve been in a stressful situation. Let us handle the rest.

An accident is a jolt. The repair process shouldn’t be.

You’ve done the hard part—you’ve handled the scene, you’ve filed the reports, and you’ve made the calls. Now, let us “cut the stress.”

Our teams in Bonnyville and Cold Lake have over 50 years of experience navigating the insurance claims process. We are your advocates. We work for you to ensure your vehicle is repaired to the highest standard of safety, backed by a National Lifetime Warranty.

Don’t let your insurance company steer you. Make your first choice a call to us for a no-obligation, expert estimate.