question about insurance regarding black ice

[amofidi]

Today due to the stupid black ice as i was making a left turn i hit the curb and my rim got damaged. (no bent or anything just some minor scratch but kinda deep.)

The car is in Mazda shop now since i was going for an oil change. what a luck!!!

The new rim is $320 but that is too much plus i might just use the same one but i was wondering what the insurance will do for me.

I called them and they said since you are 6 star and never had an accident before it is better not to claim it since you were at fault.

What you guys think i should do?!!! Also stupid Mazda will charge me $40 to see if the accident damaged any suspension or springs :mad:

[TenzoR]

your call

If the rim is not damage, then just use it until you can find an used replacement. If it's OEM rims I'm sure there are tons on BST forums, craiglists, etc etc

for such a small damage, no need to go to the insurance.

[Rokkin]

After you factor in the deductible, it doesn't make sense to get your insurance company involved. Protect your 6 star rating. Don't go through insurance.

[cereal83]

Don't go to insurance.

Go to a auto wreaking yard and buy a good used one for probably around $100 at most. Then go to a mechanic and tell them to switch the rims for maybe $20 and your all done.

[tataynik]

You should have posted here first before calling your insurance company. With your deductible, it does not make sense to make a claim. The Ins. Co. now have a note on your file that you had a "single vehicle at-fault accident with no payout". Some companies can use this info combined with any future at-fault accident or traffic violation if they want to get rid of you.

[ElvaSoShexai]

if it's not bent.. and the scratch isn't TOO deep.. isn't it cheaper to just get it refinished?

[Gingergirl]

Tataynik is right - if ou have a broker they may not have put in your file but if an agent like statefarm or belair direct you now have note that a single vehicle accident is on record. This is a collision loss- you don't have to claim anything to get the bad benefit of it being on your record. good luck though hope they didn't put it in your file.

[MP3_SKY]

Try bring to a rim repair shop, maybe they can fix your rim for 70-80$ then you save yourself 300$, and yes, OEM wheels are easy to find. Search in Mazda forums or other online forums, I bought my second set of OEM wheels from these places too.

Insurance? Trouble for nothing.

[amofidi]

Thanks guys for the help but here is an update:

since car was in shop for oil change they had a look at it and said the following components were damanged:

Control arm
Wheel hub
Rim and tire(which i told them to move it to the back so i don't have to change the rim.)

Cost to fix was $720 + $110 for alignment after that.

so ya a nice grand drop on it. All i can say is F**K the roads on toronto, today there were 100+ accidents due to this black ice, i dono where were the slat machines :mad: :mad: :mad:

and yes u can say it was my fault but you know what it is just stupid!!!

[mau108]

Thanks guys for the help but here is an update:

since car was in shop for oil change they had a look at it and said the following components were damanged:

Control arm
Wheel hub
Rim and tire(which i told them to move it to the back so i don't have to change the rim.)

Cost to fix was $720 + $110 for alignment after that.

so ya a nice grand drop on it. All i can say is F**K the roads on toronto, today there were 100+ accidents due to this black ice, i dono where were the slat machines :mad: :mad: :mad:

and yes u can say it was my fault but you know what it is just stupid!!!


**** happens man, did your car feel weird after the incident, if the control arm and wheel hub needed replacing then the car shouldnt have driven right. I think mazda just screwed you over.

[amofidi]

not it was fine. i tested it too over bumps no sound nothing.

but why would Mazda do that? and how would i know?

Honest the sound was a loud one. really loud so i doubt it was nothing.

[D-3vil]

so ya a nice grand drop on it. All i can say is F**K the roads on toronto, today there were 100+ accidents due to this black ice, i dono where were the slat machines :mad: :mad: :mad:

and yes u can say it was my fault but you know what it is just stupid!!!

It WAS your fault. The roads do not owe you perfect driving conditions (neither does the weather). You owe yourself and others to drive with care, especially in hazardous conditions.

Be thankful, cause it could have been much worse. Hopefully you're a better driver for it.

And before you reply to this, ask yourself these questions:
1. how fast were you driving?
2. what tires did you have on?
3. were you paying attention to the road?

[gman]

not it was fine. i tested it too over bumps no sound nothing.

but why would Mazda do that? and how would i know?

Honest the sound was a loud one. really loud so i doubt it was nothing.

Do you have to ask? They want money.
How much is your deductible? $500?
Net gain $500 assuming the claim is $1000. Does Losing your 6 stars for $500 make any sense to you? If it is not insurance claim, you should be able to do that much cheaper (this assumes you indeed need to do that and I doubt it).

[gman]

It WAS your fault. The roads do not owe you perfect driving conditions (neither does the weather). You owe yourself and others to drive with care, especially in hazardous conditions.

Be thankful, cause it could have been much worse. Hopefully you're a better driver for it.


Yep! At least, you don't have 2 children threw out of your car.

Everytime when temperature is around 0 to -3, there is a possibility of black ice and that is given.

[re-guy]

Who is your insurance company?

Dominion includes Accident Protection - if you make a claim it wont harm your rating

Belair offers it for $60 per year

[MP3_SKY]

110$ for alignemnt? Go to private garage, they usually do it for 50$.

[MrDisco]

so ya a nice grand drop on it. All i can say is F**K the roads on toronto, today there were 100+ accidents due to this black ice, i dono where were the slat machines :mad: :mad: :mad:


why not just drive slower next time? its not like winter is something new which we've never seen before. you should also consider winter tires for the improved grip.

[rupert]

**** happens man, did your car feel weird after the incident, if the control arm and wheel hub needed replacing then the car shouldnt have driven right. I think mazda just screwed you over.


Nah, Mazda most likely didn't screw him over. Almost everytime, if a car hits a curb sideways, you are looking to replace control arm (if not more). I would say 1K damage is pretty cheap.

The damage may or may not be noticeable by driving, drive a few thousand kms and see if the tire has uneven thread wear :P

[Cooper_s]

Always assume the worst in the weather. You can blame the weather and whatever, but I'd just pay out of pocket. I had a few dings and dents on my car, and even if it's $1000, I'd just pay out of my own pocket.

[Blackjack]

I'd get a 2nd opinion? $1000 is alot of bread to spend.

[Cooper_s]

The parts are usually just a certain percentage of the deal. The labour is what really kills people. Heck, I'd install the parts myself, but I'd rather pay someone who knows what they're doing.

I also refer to the parts, labour, painting, and other adjustments as well. The place I go to also gives me free rentals (Kia Sorrentos, '06 Honda Civics, and not just ratty Cavaliers, or Accents). They deal with Ferraris, Maseratis, and BMWs. I know what I'm paying for, and I know what they'll do, versus Joe's Garage down the street.

It also depends on the car's model and trim. Many European cars will cost more than the domestics. As a rule, always shop around for a rate that's comfortable for you.

Finally, to put this in perspective: When people get clipped, or fender benders in NYC, many don't even bother to get out of the car. They consider it war scars. For myself, the $900 I spent on a new front end also included interior detailing, aforementioned car loan privileges over 3 days, and paint touch-ups of stone chips. So all in all, although expensive, I was happy.

[ygtgxi]

hey wat type of mazda u have? and what tyres u have on it? u have all season on or winter tyres? but i guess it really dun matters when it come sto black ice.

I drive a mazda6 and i am too poor to get winter tyres, so far i ma lucky with no snow/ice but its coming soon