Police advise filing report after a crash or it's 'your own peril'

Police in Thunder Bay are reminding drivers involved in a collision that results in damage greater than $1,000 or personal injury, a police report must be filed.

In a news release issued Friday, police said there is an “ever-increasing tendency for people to settle ... without police."

“You do this at your own peril if the deal falls apart — and it almost always does,” the release stated.

“If you then plan to turn to your own insurance, you may find yourself in a very difficult position in terms of coverage.”

Police noted people should should learn more about the matter before any collision occurs and recommended that drivers “have the discussion with your broker, an insurance professional ... Almost all insurance companies will not process a claim without a police report, and that will sometimes put you into a difficult position with the law because it wasn't reported forthwith.”

Thunder Bay police said they are “noticing that an increasing number of drivers are failing to have seriously damaged vehicles towed from the collision scene, and are attempting to drive them home or to the reporting center.”

“It is against the law to drive an unsafe motor vehicle, and that would include airbags that have been deployed or wheels that are wobbly or other obvious signs of damage.”

This applies to collisions that occur on a public road or on private property.

As driving conditions continue to worsen with the onset of wintery weather, police note the self-reporting centre located in the lobby of the Balmoral Street police station will be expanding its hours of operation, starting Dec. 1.

The centre will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. No service is provided on Sunday.