got in an accident, need some advice

[el_cheepo]

Hi All. I was involved in a hit and run accident and I would appreciate all your advice. The car was hit by a lady around Christmas last year. She tried to flee the scene, but was caught by me just down the road. I got all her information, and made a collision report the next day.

During that time of year, I was very busy, and put off the decision of fixing the car. I was (am) afraid of my insurance raising. I have full coverage, but I'm not really sure how they work.

Can I make a claim now? If I do, is there any chance of my insurance raising? Something like this has happened to me before, and I held off because I can't afford a raise...I can't let this happen again, as my car is full of those blue "damage reported to police" stickers.

any help appreciated. :cry:

[Kevin T]

You already reported it, it is on your insurance record, so you might as well claim it. Next time, threaten the old lady to pay up or you will report it and her insurance rates will increase for the next 6 years.

I keep quiet for all accidents (including hit & run, and even windshield damage which my comprehension covers). My family can't afford to increase of insurance because of my dad's driving record, no witness, no trace of evidence.

It's funny how we pay thousands each year, and we're scared to make a claim.

Many will tell you that non-fault insurance claims will not increase your premiums, but keep in mind that many do have a "claim-free" discount, and it is their discretion to increase your rates or not.

[TrevorK]

Your insurance won't go up if the accident in 100% not your fault.

[callous]

You're wrong about that. It can go up even if it isnt your fault.

[el_cheepo]

thanks for your replies. So I want to be clear...since I already reported it, I may as well make a claim? My insurance would have gone up already? or it may if I claim it? lol and i don't even want to get into how much insurance is a ripoff :twisted:

[AudiDude]

You're wrong about that. It can go up even if it isnt your fault.
This is true, big time. If you were insuring a client and he gets rear ended while stopped at a stoplight every other month (not his fault), what would you do? First you'd increase his rates, then you'd drop him. It wasn't his fault he keeps getting hit , but so what. You couldn't afford to insure all your other customers if they had the same unfortunate accidents, so you'll have to terminate him.

[Mentos]

Your insurance won't go up if the accident in 100% not your fault.


As discussed in previous threads, it depends on the province. In Ontario, you're f'ed.

[Hellfire]

Over here, if someone hits you, and its not your fault, you get their info (don't give them your info) get some estimates done, if the damage is over a grand, report it.

Then deal directly with them and their insurance company. Most ppl will prefer to just cut you a cheque, rather than going though insurance, but if they refuse, then just deal directly with their insurance company and collect your cheque.

Your insurance won't go up because a) Your not filing a claim with your insurance company, b) You were not at fault and c) Your insurance company has no idea.

[D-3vil]

These are all perfectly valid arguments for a public insurance system in Ontario. It would be great to be paying only 10% of what I'm paying right now.

[Rehan]

As discussed in previous threads, it depends on the province. In Ontario, you're f'ed.
Not necessarily. I just did a test on www.kanetix.com with a single driver in Ontario with a single vehicle... With no accidents, quotes were given by 5 insurance providers; with one not-at-fault accident claim, quotes were given by 4 insurance providers, with the same annual premium; with two not-at-fault accident claims, there was still one provider (RBC Insurance) offering insurance and at the same premium as if there were zero or one claims.

So it also depends on the insurer.

[Big Brother]

See if you can get an external settlement - but seeing how the lady tried to flee, she's probably not trustworthy.

[actng]

You have twelve months to make a claim with your insurance company. I'm not sure when you said last christmas that was christmas 04 or christmas 03. if it's 2003, then the insurance company's first response is SOL. not sure what the legality is behind that though.

[el_cheepo]

i appreciate all the replies. i'm still confused as to whether i should file the claim. it was christmas 04 btw. is it safe to say that since i filed the collision report and if my insurance co were to raise the premium, then it would be done already? Or can they still raise it when i claim anyways... they probably will eh? :twisted:

[Hellfire]

i appreciate all the replies. i'm still confused as to whether i should file the claim. it was christmas 04 btw. is it safe to say that since i filed the collision report and if my insurance co were to raise the premium, then it would be done already? Or can they still raise it when i claim anyways... they probably will eh? :twisted:

File a claim with HER insurance. There shouldn't be any increase in your premiums.

[Mentos]

Not necessarily. I just did a test on www.kanetix.com with a single driver in Ontario with a single vehicle... With no accidents, quotes were given by 5 insurance providers; with one not-at-fault accident claim, quotes were given by 4 insurance providers, with the same annual premium; with two not-at-fault accident claims, there was still one provider (RBC Insurance) offering insurance and at the same premium as if there were zero or one claims.

So it also depends on the insurer.

Yea, but with RBC having the highest quote of all, which are the same for 0 to 3 not at fault claims.

[felix]

File a claim with HER insurance. There shouldn't be any increase in your premiums.
Can anyone confirm this works 100% of the time without insurance increase? In Ontario? Because I never heard of this before.

[Mentos]

Can anyone confirm this works 100% of the time without insurance increase? In Ontario? Because I never heard of this before.

Doesn't work that way in Ontario. The dude just assumed the OP lived in Alberta or whatever.

[chickenbones]

WTH are you waiting for man, why are you not taking some action against the lady. Any action instead of sleeping on it man. The longer you drag this on the more difficult it is to work things out. You should've gotten an estimate right away at least.

I don't think there's a need to settle in private anymore after you reported her, and certainly I don't see a reason for you to pay for your own damages, so the only option is to file a claim. Her insurance company will actually deal with your insurance company and your insurance company pays you. You were parked right? Sometimes I don't get Ontario's f*c*ed up insurance system.

[Hellfire]

Can anyone confirm this works 100% of the time without insurance increase? In Ontario? Because I never heard of this before.

I can only speak for how it works in AB.

[skuntbehavior]

You already reported it, it is on your insurance record, so you might as well claim it. Next time, threaten the old lady to pay up or you will report it and her insurance rates will increase for the next 6 years.

I keep quiet for all accidents (including hit & run, and even windshield damage which my comprehension covers). My family can't afford to increase of insurance because of my dad's driving record, no witness, no trace of evidence.

It's funny how we pay thousands each year, and we're scared to make a claim.

Many will tell you that non-fault insurance claims will not increase your premiums, but keep in mind that many do have a "claim-free" discount, and it is their discretion to increase your rates or not.

i was involved in an accident this year. i lightly bumped into this idiot's bmw. 1 light scratch on my car and that was it. he was pissed and cursed me for not having a licence and insurance. i ended up splurting my name thinking he was going to give me some of his info but he was such a d---nose about, i ended up cussing him.
without trading of insurance info, there isn't anything that can be done.
i even reported it thinking i could make a claim. i called my insurance company and they said that if any damage is below my deductible they wouldn't advise making a claim. a cop checked over my car and he reported $50 damage on my car. i doubt it was even that.
everything depends on the situation and everyone's situation is different.

[Hippak]

Doesn't work that way in Ontario. The dude just assumed the OP lived in Alberta or whatever.

I know numerous people who have been in either a T-Bone (they were T-boned) or hit from behind accidents that weren't their fault. No insurance increases.

If it happens numerous times then yes your insurance will go up because statistically you're a higher risk. But a single claim that is not your fault will not increase your insurance.

quote from the article.


If the other driver is at fault for the accident, and it caused property damage, you will usually be covered under either your direct compensation for property damage coverage or your uninsured automobile coverage. Both types of insurance are mandatory for drivers in Ontario. Your claim will be paid by your insurance company. Depending on your particular insurance policy, you may or may not have to pay a deductible. However, because the other driver was at fault, your insurance premiums will not increase as a result of making the claim.


http://www.legalline.ca/insurance/821.html

EDIT: Here's a better article from Financial commision services of Ontario


What Happens to your Insurance Premiums if you Make a Claim?

If the accident is determined not to be your fault, your insurance rating should not be affected by the accident. If you are found at fault for any percentage of the accident, your premium may increase.

http://www.ontarioinsurance.com/AutoInsOntario/english/claimingdamage.html#InsPremiums

[Wiseman]

Doesn't work that way in Ontario. The dude just assumed the OP lived in Alberta or whatever.

I've got in 2 accidents and my wife 1 accident (within 3 years) and the fault was 100% to the other parties involved. Our rates did not go up. I even asked the insurance company if our rates would go up, and they told me that since it's 100% not your fault, it will NOT go up.

So yes, it does work that way in Ontario.

[chellemi]

hmm i think maybe part of what he meant by "does not work that way in ontario" is the reporting to the other party's insurance thing. because in ontario, we report to our OWN insurance, not the other party's. so really, it doesn't work "that way". :)

[Hippak]

hmm i think maybe part of what he meant by "does not work that way in ontario" is the reporting to the other party's insurance thing. because in ontario, we report to our OWN insurance, not the other party's. so really, it doesn't work "that way". :)

regardless what he meant, from one of his previous posts he wrote



Your insurance won't go up if the accident in 100% not your fault.


As discussed in previous threads, it depends on the province. In Ontario, you're f'ed.



This statement is false. See my post and Wiseman's post.

[el_cheepo]

thanks for all your replies! looks like i'm going to make a claim. i really appreciate all your help :)

[ichpen]

I've got in 2 accidents and my wife 1 accident (within 3 years) and the fault was 100% to the other parties involved. Our rates did not go up. I even asked the insurance company if our rates would go up, and they told me that since it's 100% not your fault, it will NOT go up.

So yes, it does work that way in Ontario.

Was that with the same insurance company?!?

Rumour has it (don't think any evidence exists to back this) is that insurers have a 90%-10% split agreement even if you're completely not at fault. I have only the word of some friends who are in the insurance business to back this up.

Bear in mind that a lot of comprehensive insurance policies may include a 1 or 2 accident freebie i.e. they will in theory not take your first claim into consideration. A lot of people are not even aware this clause exists.

This works well if you plan on sticking with same insurance company for a long period of time but if and when you switch it will still be on your record as an accident/claim.

[mjl_toronto]

I've made a few accident (none my fault) and comprehensive claims on my car and my rates still have not gone up. This happened all in one year. My car was then hit again in a parking lot which caused considerable damage and my insurance broker advised me against making a claim 'cuz this time it may go up.

IMO, the best thing you can do for the future is build a good relationship with your broker. My family has been with this particular broker for over 25 years. They are brutally honest with us and give us amazing insurance rates with very low deductibles. They only insure relatives and no longer take new clients.

btw, el_cheepo, how bad was the damage? If you've got lots of damage on your car already, would it really be worth risking your insurance going up to fix this dent? Are you only doing this 'cuz you're angry at the lady and want to get back at her? If you're car is still safe to drive and you don't mind having another dent then I would say just forget about it.

[felix]

mjl_toronto, can I ask which insurance company you're with? We have been with AllState for around 25 years and the broker or whatever doesn't even know our name and our rates are still pretty high :confused: (his name is Ken Miles by the way, heard he's an old guy)

[mjl_toronto]

I'm with StateFarm insurance. That sucks that your broker doesn't know your name. I actually called once and my broker knew my name just by recognizing my voice. Maybe she's just gifted with exceptional ears/memory but I was floored.

btw, I own a black 2001 VW GTI 1.8T and live in North York. Yet I only pay about $1500 a year for both myself and my wife and that includes full coverage with only $200 deductible (cheap eh?). We were 25 yrs. old when we first got coverage.

[r1lee]

if you are not at fault your rates usually do not go up.

But I know of situations where a person has claimed many not at fault accidents. The insurance company will believe that you are high risk because you are doing something that causes these accidents. So to that person, your rate will go up.

But if you are just making the claims once in a while (few years) I do not see it as a problem.

[el_cheepo]

btw, el_cheepo, how bad was the damage? If you've got lots of damage on your car already, would it really be worth risking your insurance going up to fix this dent? Are you only doing this 'cuz you're angry at the lady and want to get back at her? If you're car is still safe to drive and you don't mind having another dent then I would say just forget about it.

I estimate the damage to be around 600-800 dollars. It's a black car, so any imperfections show greatly. The car is still safe to drive, but it's an eyesore to look at the damage...