Something terrible happened last night with my car-Advice Please?-UPDATE-

[Chairman of the Board]

-Originally posted-



Well, since I've never been in this situation before I was hoping that someone can help me out with some much needed advice when a car gets damaged.

Last night I was parked in front of a 7-11 and as I was leaving the store a Ford F150 was parked very close to me and I was getting nervous since I have a sportscar that has never been scratched or nicked up at all, ever!

So what happens? I am sitting in my car and this person decides to back out first but clips right into the driver side rear corner panel and dent and scratch the car at the same time! I mean this guy just backed out so quick and turned his wheel so sharp that it hit me and my car actually shook from the impact!

He stopped, got out and was so apologetic! Well since I've never had to deal with this type of thing before, he said that he was willing to pay for the damages no matter what and that he didn't want to go through insurance.
So I took all his information such as name, drivers license info, phone numbers. I was in so much shock that I did not get his license plate, I don't know if this matters or not?

Like I said, I was in shock from this and I drove to a friends house after I left the 7-11 where he told me I should've called the Police right away despite what this guy said. I did call the Police from my friend's house and explained what happened. The Police bascially told me that a) if the damage is under $1000 (which it won't be) that the insurance company does not to be contacted and persons involved decide what to do. And b) if the damage is over $1000 that both driver and person responsible for damage, a Police report must be made and insurance company notified.

And just briefly from what I gathered from this individual was: He has only been in Canada for about 8 months. He's from Brazil. He took his Boss's truck over to the 7-11 to pick up smokes and was in a hurry to get back to his work. That was about it...

The question I have, did I do the right thing by NOT calling the Police right away and tomorrow after I get a few estimates, if the person is not willing to pay for the damages over $1000, what will happen exactly?

Sorry, just so worried and confused since this has never happened before.

All help appreciated! Thanks!


So......

My last thread on this situation was posted July 10 so it may be overlooked now so the reason for this update. I just found out today that the person responsible for this incident is NOW wanting to go through insurance to pay for damages. Actually since the truck belongs to his boss, it's his choice to go through insurance and is not concerned about his insurance going up! I just called my insurance to report it now and they now tell me because the incident happened on "private property" that I MAY have to pay a deductible? WTF? That is horeshit considering it wasn't my fault to begin with and this person admited to this! I will be so pissed if I have to pay a deductible! Like what is the reason why we pay insurance to begin with?

Anyone have further advice for the insurance company and the way they rip people off? Thanks

 

[Daddio]

Ok if it happened last night you still have time to redeem yourself. After all you are a busy man. You filed the police report within 24 hours and thats more important than calling the insurance. But you are a busy man so it took almost 48 hours to call the insurance. This is common.

There is no law that says you have to remain at the scene unless the damages exceed a certain amount or there is injury or death. As for "at-fault", if you were not moving; if you were parked in a legal parking space, then you are zero percent at fault. Zero.

As for this guy and his status with his boss his job or his citizenship - forget him. Look out for you and your car and your insurance. Nice guys finish last. This guy should be more respectful of other peoples property and this will be a good lesson for him. And if I were you I wouldnt admit to telling the guy you were considering bypassing the insurance. That's his fantasy. You heard him say it and calmly took his information and called the Police and insurance like you were supposed to.

 

[eric42]

I feel your pain.

I've found that one of the worst places for parking and or drving a car is in Woodbridge. This burb is full of punk-ass kids, obnoxious housewives and aggresive asshole drivers who have no respect for others.

Woodbridge sucks!

 

[WhOiSyOdAdDy?]

Interesting fact is that according to the "no-fault book of relative fault" where the insurance companies look to determine who pays how much that an accident in a private parking lot is considered 50/50 at fault.

This is true only if both vehicles are moving

 

[ham2004]

Chairman - Report it to your insurance company.

A few years someone I knew very well, borrowed my car and went to a mall parking lot with it. She was parked in the lot, still in the car, and this "kindly older lady" clipped my car while trying to pull in beside her.

The lady got out, said she was very sorry, would pay for everything, so they exchanged information, and my friend returned the car somewhat worst for wear.

I called my insurance agent and reported the accident anyway.

I was surprised that evening when two Hamilton cops, and the son of this lady came to my door, and wanted to arrest my friend for leaving the scene of an accident. The lady driver had gone home and said that she had been hit by my car on the road and that the driver just up and left without any information. Because I had called my insurance company, reported the accident, gave them the lady's information and could prove that information had been exchanged, I was not assessed any damages.

It could have gone the other way without my insurance agents help.

I am not saying I told you so.. but ... Really the only defence is a great offence in these cases. Call the guy's boss up, tell him what happened, time, date etc, let him know that the guy never told you it was a company truck, and you believed you were doing him a favour.

If that doesn't work, WATCH OUT, depending on your insurance company non disclosure of any accident are grounds to refuse collision coverage, activate rate increases and/or are grounds for renewal refusial.

If this does go to the insurance company, you will be looking at 6 years before you get your "best" rates back.

Now what have we learned, always call the cops unless you have 3 witnesses, and one of them is the chief of police....

 

[james t kirk]

I feel your pain.

I've found that one of the worst places for parking and or drving a car is in Woodbridge. This burb is full of punk-ass kids, obnoxious housewives and aggresive asshole drivers who have no respect for others.

Woodbridge sucks!

That's any burb.

My sister lives in Burlington, I live in downtown TO.

I swear to god, I have never seen so many asshole drivers as I have in Burlington. They will NEVER EVER let you in. They just figure fuck you, this is some sort of competition and you CAN'T be in front of my SUV. (In toronto people will usually let you in figuring that you are fucked if they don't and they know what it's like.)

They speed like about 90 km/hr down Walkers line, or whereever. (The streets are like highways they way that they are built, in TO, no-one does more than 40 on any city street.

Last Saturday, I almost got smashed twice in Burlington in the same trip.

And yet insurance rates are cheaper there. Someone please explain that one to me