Topic: out of pocket for accident...forgotten expense.

[21Rouge]

Last month in a parking lot my parked Pontiac minivan was rear ended by the rear end of a Honda CRV. After getting a written estimate ($1222.55 cdn) the other driver decided to pay out of pocket. I waited until I was sure the cheque (1222.55) cleared before scheduling the repair. But dumb me; I forgot to take into account that I would be without the vehicle for 3 full days. If I had gone through insurance I would have had 'free' access to a rental car. Live and learn. 

[ovr50]

Good point, 21Rouge. I have been involved in several "minor" accidents of that nature, and, as a matter of principle, I will NEVER take a cheque from the person who caused the accident. Your reason is one, another is that sometimes the cost of the repair can escalate even after the initial report. I see no reason to not go through the proper insurance channels in any accident. I think if you agree to "settle" on the spot, you are exposing yourself to needless financial risk. Just my opinion.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I would prefer to settle and not go thru insurance. They always have excuses to raise your rates and I don't need to give them anymore. So long as the other individual involved seems genuine, reasonable, rational, and appears to have ability to pay.

Too bad about that 21Rouge. Do you have the person's contact info? Any chance if you called the other person (sounds like adultery) they would offer the cost of car rental as well or you think not? 

[Careener]

I'm with SirA. You should contact the person and ask to be reimbursed for the rental.

[ovr50]

Probably those that like to settle without insurance involvement are in private insurance provinces. In BC, if my vehicle was parked and someone hits it, there is no way I am held at fault at all, and there is no way that my insurance can go up no matter how large the claim on my vehicle.

[21Rouge]

Too bad about that 21Rouge. Do you have the person's contact info? Any chance if you called the other person (sounds like adultery) they would offer the cost of car rental as well or you think not? 

If I had been on the ball I would/should have had them take that (me being w/o my car for a time) into account when they were deciding to settle out of pocket. But I do feel uncomfortable asking almost after the fact.

[21Rouge]

as a matter of principle, I will NEVER take a cheque from the person who caused the accident. Your reason is one, another is that sometimes the cost of the repair can escalate even after the initial report. I see no reason to not go through the proper insurance channels in any accident. I think if you agree to "settle" on the spot, you are exposing yourself to needless financial risk. Just my opinion.

I now agree completely with you. All good points.

[Careener]

Unfortunately the claims you make generally are treated as accidents in Ontario and there is no differentiation in their minds between a small and large claim. Two claims are two claims.
Parking lot incidents are often considered as 50/50 at fault in which case both drivers get the shaft vis a vis insurance. The exception to this is if your vehicle was not moving at all.

[21Rouge]

Parking lot incidents are often considered as 50/50 at fault in which case both drivers get the shaft vis a vis insurance. The exception to this is if your vehicle was not moving at all.

And that was the case...my vehicle was motionless with no one in the car.

[The Mighty Duck]

Good point, 21Rouge. I have been involved in several "minor" accidents of that nature, and, as a matter of principle, I will NEVER take a cheque from the person who caused the accident. Your reason is one, another is that sometimes the cost of the repair can escalate even after the initial report. I see no reason to not go through the proper insurance channels in any accident. I think if you agree to "settle" on the spot, you are exposing yourself to needless financial risk. Just my opinion.

Not to mention, with ICBC at least, you have the option of paying back the money they spent to fix the other person's car, and your rates are unaffected.  They actually send a letter that says "We have spent this much, if you wish to repay it, please pay by this date."

[UmroAyyar]

I had the misfortune of getting my car hit twice in a month.

First in the parking lot, hit and run. I have extra insurance for hit and run cases, that helped a lot, 0% fault letter sent by the insurance company.

The day I picked up the car, it got hit on an intersection when I was stopped. 0% fault letter issued by the insurance company again.

I don't know how it would affect my insurance on renewal, I would know in two months.

I'd be very reluctant to settle in private, too many unknowns for me to handle.

[ovr50]

Parking lot incidents are often considered as 50/50 at fault in which case both drivers get the shaft vis a vis insurance. The exception to this is if your vehicle was not moving at all.

And that was the case...my vehicle was motionless with no one in the car.

Not the case in BC at all. The stationary car would be zero at fault assuming properly parked (and maybe even if not parked properly, for eg. jutting out into driving lane instead of being totally in curb lane).

[articsteve]

I would accept a private payment on a small fender bender only as humanitarian gesture because everyone makes mistakes and total strangers have cut me a break in the past when it counted and they didn't need to.   Consequently, I'm more inclined to give ppl a break.

Sadly in Ontario, if your involved in even a $200. hit the insurance industry has the green light in law to screw you for about 6 years after the incident.  It's not insurance folks.     I admire the rule in BC that allows ppl the opportunity to pony up to ICBC to avoid a bad record.   No wonder Pol in Ontario hit and run.   

[curls]

Parking lot incidents are often considered as 50/50 at fault in which case both drivers get the shaft vis a vis insurance. The exception to this is if your vehicle was not moving at all.

Often, but not always.  I was driving through  Timmy Ho's parking lot and a guy in a busted-up Civic backed out of his spot without looking, and right into my passenger side rear quarter panel.  Damage was actually pretty bad to my car, and nothing to his but a bit of paint transfer.  Anyhow after he tried to argue with me that I was doing 75km/h in the parking lot (LOL!), I decided to call the police and file a report.  They took our statements (at the police station) and I got a copy of the report, sent it to my ins. company, and the guy who backed into me was 100% at fault and really, really pissed about it. I was literally doing 10km/h as I had just pulled out of the spot 2 down from him.

So, it's almost always a case-by-case basis.

[dorin]

Rouge, just phone the other driver and let him/her know about your out-of-pocket expenses.  It makes sense that you didn't think of the rental right away and a decent person should cover that.

Ovr, it's much easier to have an "insurance claim only" policy when you live in BC.  As much as some BC residents like to complain about ICBC, it's insurance heaven on earth compared to the private system in provinces like Ontario.

[safristi]

Personally I'd be pissed if we had an "agreement" and U came back fer MORE... .....that would be Oliver Twisted IMHO..U made yer Bed as they say...sleep in it....Cor maybe if I'd used yer line on those HOT BABES at tha BAR... ...I forgot I had a wife and 7 kids back at home...but can we just negotiate !!!!!

[jamie1]

Personally I'd be pissed if we had an "agreement" and U came back fer MORE... .....that would be Oliver Twisted IMHO..U made yer Bed as they say...sleep in it....Cor
         
Personally I have done this type of agreement myself. I've been the receiver and the giver. I always an agreement signed that I or the other party cannot come back for more damages after the fact. But I only use this type of agreement on a beater of a car that has had minor damage and I really don't need to fix or can fix myself cheaply.

[The Mighty Duck]

Not the case in BC at all. The stationary car would be zero at fault assuming properly parked (and maybe even if not parked properly, for eg. jutting out into driving lane instead of being totally in curb lane).

Yup.  I was hit in a parking lot a year and a half ago.  Sitting in a lane, waiting to turn into another one, and a lady backs out of her parking spot right into me.  $1200 in damage (!), covered by ICBC.  Phew...