Charlottetown's new collision reporting centre 'pretty seamless,' 1st user says

Crystal MacGregor was not thrilled when her blue Volkswagen was rear-ended on Friday, leaving a basketball-sized dent in the hatchback.

But she said the process since then has made it a little less annoying.

On Tuesday, she became the first client of the new collision reporting centre at the Charlottetown police station.

"Nobody wants to be in a car accident, but it seems to be a pretty seamless process," she said.

There are collision reporting centres in at least 45 municipalities across Canada. Charlottetown is the first on P.E.I. to open one, as a pilot project.

The goal is to let drivers who are in accidents with less than $2,000 in damage expedite the claims process. 

Here's how it works: A driver who has been in a minor accident calls the police station, and a dispatcher decides if an officer is needed on scene. If no officer is needed — because there is no criminal activity, hazardous materials or personal injury involved — the driver of a damaged vehicle can take down the licence information, insurance and registration of all the parties, and either begin the process online or head to the collision reporting centre.

An employee will take photos of the damage, help fill out the paperwork, and connect with the insurance companies if the driver decides to make a claim. The collision centre will place a sticker on the car to legitimize the claim and indicate photos have been taken of all the relevant damage. 

It's a free service, paid for by insurance companies on P.E.I. who write automobile policies.

Helpful to police, municipalities

Steve Sanderson, president of Charlottetown Accident Support Services, which manages the centre, said the service not only helps free up police resources for higher-priority calls, but the data collected gives municipalities information on their most accident-prone areas.

"Why are they happening? Are they left-hand turns, are they right-hand turns, are they side swipes, rear ends? So once you determine what causes these collisions, you can [create] pro-active programs to reduce them."

Here's hoping that it speeds up the process so we can get my car fixed and looking new.— Crystal MacGregor

Charlottetown Police Chief Brad MacConnell said his department responds to about 1,500 motor vehicle collisions a year, and about 60 per cent of those don't really need to be handled by police officers.

"Through that, we can free up officers, find efficiencies and do more pro-active things."

MacGregor just hopes it means she's back on the road sooner.

"Here's hoping that it speeds up the process so we can get my car fixed and looking new."