Staged Collisions and Tow Scams: How to Protect Yourself

Insurance fraud, including staged collisions and towing scams, raises insurance costs for every Ontario driver and can leave innocent drivers blamed.

Warning signs of a staged collision

• A car brakes suddenly in front of you for no reason.
• A driver waves you into traffic, then hits you.
• Passengers who all claim injuries, or a crowd of "witnesses" who seem to know each other.
• A tow truck arrives within minutes, uncalled.

At the scene

1. Call 911 if anyone is hurt.
2. Take photos of the cars, plates, damage, the road and the people.
3. Exchange driver's licence, ownership and insurance details.
4. Get names and numbers of independent witnesses.
5. Report to a Collision Reporting Centre if required.

Towing

• Ontario's Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act requires tow operators to be certified and to give you information, including rates.
• You can choose where your car is towed, in most cases.
• Don't sign anything you don't understand.

Report suspicions

Tell your insurer, and report fraud to the Insurance Bureau of Canada's tips line.

Sources

• Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act, 2021
• Insurance Bureau of Canada: report insurance fraud
• Reporting a collision (NEO guide)

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General Ontario legal information, not legal advice for your matter, and reading it does not create a retainer. Sources checked 16 October 2026: check the current law, forms and dates before you act.

Photos from Unsplash: A close-up of a car's side mirror · A silver suv drives past a large building with stairs.

This article is general information for people in Ontario, not legal advice. Rules, forms and deadlines change, and every situation is different. Check the current rule or speak to a licensed legal professional before you act.