Happened to me Tonight - Car Accident, advices?

[jerryhung]

I think I'm okay.......... my body didn't hit anything I think

anyway, have to call State Farm today (Monday) and work things out, so any insurance advices?

long story short
I was at 401 & Hwy 8 (to KW) and in middle lane, not sure about speed, 70 since there's no car close by. Then a car switched in from right lane and I switched out to right lane, but realized that the car in front of me was too slow (probably 30) and tried to switch back (and hit brakes). Not in time enough....
so my car hit the rear left of the corolla, slided all the way to the divider in the middle hard and crushed hard with my left side, and stopped

so the tow truck behind us conveniently stopped, called the cops (firetrucks & ambulance came later too), checked our license/insurance/report, and off I go, taking the ride from the corolla to my home. (so my Accord is busted, i saw my 2 wheels on leftside bent inwards, bumper fallen off a bit, probably front right side bumper too, towed to Cambridge and probably Waterloo Honda tomorrow and Corolla is still driveable)

anyway, lesson learned and it's pretty sad that all i think about is how sorry i am to my parents for causing so much $$ damage (and no amount of RFD deals will recover back). Cried, yeah.... felt so sorry when talking to my mom

Warning: drive slow & safely in snow!! And if you think it's too dangerous to drive, don't drive!!!! NOT even when you have assignment due at 12 am
I never realized how good it is to be safe & alive until now


anyway, any advices? on car fixing, what to say to insurance agent?
and how much might I pay the towing fees?
what are the typical insurance coverages i can look for?
lastly..... how bad it'll affect my insurance rate? (I'm 24, male, primary driver, G, driving for 7 yrs now)

[NDman]

OH man. I'm sorry that it was you. I just passed by there as fire truck was heading to your way. I just yielded to it as it was heading out off the Cambridge ramp. Hope you are alright. Then just on Hwy 8 after the bent (off 401), there was a tow truck stuck in the ditch too. What a messy night driving from TO tonight. Took me good 2 hours and a half.

As for the insurance, did you total the car? I don't think you have much choice here based on the dexription on the damage. HOpefully you can get some leaway from them for the terrible weather. Good luck man

[jerryhung]

Well, should I pay it myself then? Even though the police has filed the report?

My question was mostly how much am I responsible here? I have no clue

The car wasn't totalled I don't think, sides need fixing since this is more like side-hitting instead of direct head-on hit. May cost probably $10,000 to fix? That's probably half of the car's value, darn........

[Freezer]

Hm... my sister had a nasty accident, hit 2 cars, damaged our car's engine too.

Her car insurance is about.... 4K but this in in alberta and she has about 4 years of Car insurance, 5 years of experience.

1 way lol... But then she let the insurance handle it.

She got a ticket too for illegal left turn, should have been illegal U lol....

I think your insurance would jump, but I cannot say how much. I would think that it would go up a lot if you don't pay for the accident, I think it would jump just a little if you paid.

My insurance is 1.6K for one way. I had 1 accident and 1 year of insurance history but I have been licensed for 5 years. Why am I lower? I paid for my accident. I also didn't get a ticket but I had to file an accident report.

[pandaharo]

It's probably too much for you to pay so just let insurance cover it. Whats happened already happend and just be glad ur alive. Accidents happen and you can be sure it doesnt only happen to you. Your accident sounds like ur at fault so you'll probably have to pay for all repairs and I bet your car will cost over 10k to fix, wheel damage are typically very expensive to repair.

I had a accident 2 month ago on a highway where a elk jumped out of the woods when I was going 110kph (in 100kph zone), I swerved and lost control(there was ice/snow on the other lane of the 2 land highway), my RAV4 spun 3+ times and hit the concrete divider rear on then bounced across the highway into the ditch. It was a mericle that I was able to drive out of the ditch and another 700kms home to Vancouver.

Total repair cost $4500 (all cosmetic). It was the happiest 4.5k I ever paid...my car saved my ass....

Hey guess what...everyone here learned a lesson....Snow and Driving do not mix.

[Lando]

What is your collision deductible? The insurance company will pay for or reimburse you for the towing of your vehicle. It is your responsibility to mitigate the damages, and if the car is smacked up you obviously can't drive it to the repair shop. Call your insurance co. first thing Monday and let them know what happened. They will send someone to do an estimate of repairs on your car.

[Homer88]

This is what I hate about Canada. If you claim insurance, it sky rockets. So people don't dare to claim it. Whats the point of insurance in that case then?

[CSR]

Sorry to hear

[jerryhung]

Thanks for all the help & prayers :)

So i guess my question is
1. I should still file a claim with insurance company, but pay most of the bills myself to keep future rate down?
Or do I not file a claim at all and deal on our own?

I agree, what's the point of insurance really? in cases where there's no way we can repay?

2. So pretty sure the insurance rate will go up, but it might go down if I'm after 25? since I thought that's always the line between youth driving and adult driving.

3. I see $1000 Deductible Collision or Upset on my insurance policy, what does it mean? (I pay for first $1000?)

[canook]

This is what I hate about Canada. If you claim insurance, it sky rockets. So people don't dare to claim it. Whats the point of insurance in that case then?

It's not that way in all of Canada. :)

In this case, though, since the OP rear-ended the other car, I think he will be considered 100% responsible and insurance rates will go up considerably.

In Manitoba, it would mean that you lose your "good driving" discount, which takes quite a few years of no traffic offenses or at-fault accidents to build up.

Probably a difference of $300-$600 per year for the next few years if you had a perfect driving record. I know that in Ontario insurance is not quite so nice.

[thelefteyeguy]

First of all is this your first accident?

Are you under your parents name (do you live at home?)

depending on how you answer this could get really bad.

If this is your second claims accident in the last 6 years you will automatically transfer to facilty insurance (insurance for bad drivers like me haha). Your insurance will be min 4.2K without comprehensive coverage. Full insurance will cost you 6K prob. Your dad's car will also be in high risk...your 2 accidents if you live in the same household will affect everyone else. Meaning potential 95% chance that their rates will also got up to 4.2K at least since insurance companies assume you have a chance of driving their car also. I was able to convince the insurance company that the car was under my name and not the household of my parents when I have the 2 accidents (first one was in the snow...15K to the IS300 hit a guard rail during a snow storm...repaired...second time totaled on a left turn collision...a-hole ran a red light)....anyways its been hell since...4.2K each year (3 yrs now)

If this is your first accident...then your insurance should only go up by around 10-25%...so dont worry.

i.e if your insurance is 1600-2000...probably $2500 now if first accident...however if you parents have a record...well it will be much higher.

THis is your problem now...if you get into another accident there is likely you will not afford insurance...like many in Ontario right now.

i learnt the hard way...not to drive aggressive or even over 50km when there is snow on the driving surface.

Good luck...looking back...i am just glad i was not injured...its only money...you could easily make it back if healthy

[Lando]

Thanks for all the help & prayers :)

So i guess my question is
1. I should still file a claim with insurance company, but pay most of the bills myself to keep future rate down?
Or do I not file a claim at all and deal on our own?

I agree, what's the point of insurance really? in cases where there's no way we can repay?

2. So pretty sure the insurance rate will go up, but it might go down if I'm after 25? since I thought that's always the line between youth driving and adult driving.

3. I see $1000 Deductible Collision or Upset on my insurance policy, what does it mean? (I pay for first $1000?)

Phone your insurance company no matter what. They will adjust the claim for you and if you choose to pay the claim out of your pocket you have that option. Remember, your insurance company will also be paying for the third party damages (the vehicle you rear ended, since you are at fault). You probably don't want to pay for the damages yourself unless it is only a couple thousand (which it doesn't sound like it is). You wouldn't pay "most of the bills", it is either you pay the whole thing or your insurance company does. Your $1000 deductible you will have to pay before you can get your car out of the body shop (so start saving, you'll need at least $1,000 now)

[TrevorK]

In Alberta a claim is a claim, whether you pay part of it or not.

And chances are, since you also hit someone else and did a lot of damage to your car you'll be better off going through insurance for the whole amount.

[Lando]

A claim is a claim yes .. but in Alberta (where I am most familiar) if you pay all claim expenses out of your own pocket you effectively don't have to declare that claim in the future. For example, you get in a minor fender bender with a third party. Both parties contact respective insurance companies and the claim is adjusted and damages are appraised. If the damages are small (ie. $1,500 total) the at fault party can simply write a cheque to the insurance company for the total damages and the claim is then ignored. The only time the insurance company cares is if they actually have to pay out themselves.

[thelefteyeguy]

A claim is a claim yes .. but in Alberta (where I am most familiar) if you pay all claim expenses out of your own pocket you effectively don't have to declare that claim in the future. For example, you get in a minor fender bender with a third party. Both parties contact respective insurance companies and the claim is adjusted and damages are appraised. If the damages are small (ie. $1,500 total) the at fault party can simply write a cheque to the insurance company for the total damages and the claim is then ignored. The only time the insurance company cares is if they actually have to pay out themselves.

thats how it is in Ontario also

[jerryhung]

Visited Insurance, it was surprisingly pleasant experience when I thought it'd be the end of the world

So I got covered for towtruck, $35/day rental, blah..........
got my rental car (Chevy Aveo, boo, not even a Civic) and saw my car today in the parking lot in daylight --- wanna cry, she looks so hurt & broken

The bodyshop said they might just total it and write-off (cheaper than fixing). Now I guess I have to start looking for a car

it's very ironic, since I just visited and came back from auto show yesterday
which means it wouldn't have happened if I didn't go, so many "What If" :(



Where can I find market values of my car (99 Accord EX V6, full options, 94k)? AutoTrader, etc.?

Appreciate all the help and comments, hopefully the worst is over

[thelefteyeguy]

Visited Insurance, it was surprisingly pleasant experience when I thought it'd be the end of the world

So I got covered for towtruck, $35/day rental, blah..........
got my rental car (Chevy Aveo, boo, not even a Civic) and saw my car today in the parking lot in daylight --- wanna cry, she looks so hurt & broken

The bodyshop said they might just total it and write-off (cheaper than fixing). Now I guess I have to start looking for a car

it's very ironic, since I just visited and came back from auto show yesterday
which means it wouldn't have happened if I didn't go, so many "What If" :(



Where can I find market values of my car (99 Accord EX V6, full options, 94k)? AutoTrader, etc.?

Appreciate all the help and comments, hopefully the worst is over

use autotrader...take 3 or more of similar kms/ model...show the insurance company...i think they take the average.

is the other party suing? did the cops give you a ticket? Is the other party suing? If they are suing then expect another 2 yrs of hell at lease.

the other party has 2 yrs to file a suit (unless they settle with your insurance company)

[jerryhung]

use autotrader...take 3 or more of similar kms/ model...show the insurance company...i think they take the average.

is the other party suing? did the cops give you a ticket? Is the other party suing? If they are suing then expect another 2 yrs of hell at lease.

the other party has 2 yrs to file a suit (unless they settle with your insurance company)

No ticket. And I don't think (and hope they won't) the other party will sue
They're okay, kind enough to drop me home too (and ended up stuck in street outside my place, so I let they stayed over at my place too)

Does insurance company give you the option of buying another 99 Accord V6 with similar specs & mileage, and they pay the money?
Or it's either you get a cheque, and get a fixed car, nothing between?

[canadiantofu]

Visited Insurance, it was surprisingly pleasant experience when I thought it'd be the end of the world

So I got covered for towtruck, $35/day rental, blah..........
got my rental car (Chevy Aveo, boo, not even a Civic) and saw my car today in the parking lot in daylight --- wanna cry, she looks so hurt & broken

The bodyshop said they might just total it and write-off (cheaper than fixing). Now I guess I have to start looking for a car

it's very ironic, since I just visited and came back from auto show yesterday
which means it wouldn't have happened if I didn't go, so many "What If" :(



Where can I find market values of my car (99 Accord EX V6, full options, 94k)? AutoTrader, etc.?

Appreciate all the help and comments, hopefully the worst is over

You did the right thing . There's no way you can cover the cost if they are going to sue for other damage.
Since you are using your insurance, make sure you take advantage of all your coverage...Rental car...etc.. Your rate is going up anyways.

Here's the Eastern Canada black book value.

Average Trade-In & Retail Value

Year Make Model Series Body Style
2000 Honda Accord EX 4D Sedan V6


Depending on your vehicle's condition, the value may be appraised higher or lower than the prices shown. Reconditioning Costs and the actual kilometers on the vehilce may also be a factor.

Average Trade-in: $14,400.00 Average Retail: $16,900.00


Price Includes
Air Conditioning
Automatic Transmission
Power Steering

[blackhawk]

Insurance company has to decide fault based on police report and other drivers involved. This may affect your rates later.

They also have to have an appraiser check your car and decide damage. If they deem it a writeoff, you can argue about value if you have proof.

When mine was written off after an accident my wife had, the appraiser's report took a while and they described things that weren't true about my car. I had garage bills etc and it took a while but I got the offer up about a thousand(any way you look at it, you wont make money off an accident though) through research and negotiation.

thats about all I can help you with, your feelings are typical 'survivor' feelings after a close call

[d_jedi]

My question was mostly how much am I responsible here? I have no clue
.

Sorry to hear about your accident.
But since you hit the other car from behind, you are probably 100% responsible.