The short answer
The abstract does not normally list every accident simply because a collision occurred. However, a conviction, suspension or other reportable driving-record event connected with an incident may appear if it falls within the record’s scope and time period.
Collision and conviction are not the same thing
A collision is an event. A conviction is a legal outcome for an offence. A driver can be involved in a collision without receiving a conviction, and a driver can receive a conviction without a collision. This is why a driver abstract should not be treated as a complete accident history.
What the record is designed to show
The 3-year abstract can include current licence status and class, conditions, demerit points, active fine suspensions, and selected convictions, suspensions and reinstatements from the previous three years.
See the complete overview of what shows on an Ontario driver abstract.
Why insurers may use more than one source
An insurer may consider information beyond a driver abstract when evaluating an application or policy. The abstract is one record and should not be assumed to contain every fact relevant to insurance.