car accident - what do you think?

[helenhelen]

I just got into a car accident yesterday evening. I was driving west along King St., near Spadina, in the left lane. Traffic was very heavy since it was rush hour and moving slowly. There was a cab that was facing the same direction in the right lane but about 1/3rd of the cab (lengthwise) was in my lane. There was another cab in front of him. I am not sure if he was stopped or if it was because of the slow moving traffic. Anyway, we collided and a chunk of my front bumper fell off - the front right corner. The spot on his car that got some damage (though a lot less) was the lower area right in front of his passenger door (kind of near/behind the front tire area). At the exact split second of collision, I don't know what happened because I had been looking in another direction. However, a witness came up to me to give me his card and said he saw the cab sideswipe me. The cabbie and I exchanged info (though I forgot to get his auto insurance info!) and he suggested we go to his garage (S.M. Taxi Repair at 296 Brock St. in Toronto - anyone know anything about this place?) to get a quote and he said he would pay for the repair of my car. I was confused by what he meant because he was asking me if I have a deductible on my insurance (which I do.. $1000 - ouch!) and because of both of us having deductibles (and he mentioned his cab company doesn't cover his insurance or something like that), he was making this suggestion. I have no idea exactly what happened at the exact moment of collision except for the witness account. The cabbie seemed to believe it was shared fault.. yet why would he offer to pay for my damage? I told him I would give him a call the next day because my mind was not in a place to make an informed decision at that time.

I am insured with TD Meloche Monnex, under the minimum coverage required by law (I wanted the lowest possible premium).

I contacted the witness for his account of what happened (I requested in email so I could print it out and bring with me this afternoon when I report to a Collision Reporting Centre). He said he saw the cabbie pull out of his lane into my car. I am going to get a quote from my own garage (and possibly another 1 or 2) to find out the cost of repair and have a paper copy of the quote. I am then going to contact the cabbie and see if he can pay me up front in cash before I go make the repair. I am doing this because someone I know was in an accident in which the other guy offered to pay, but then could not be reached afterwards. The person I know was then left to deal with the repair on his own (he had not reported to the collision centre and it was now beyond the required time limit). If the cabbie refuses to pay, I will have already reported the accident and can then just contact my insurance company instead.

However, I am concerned with my insurance premiums going up, and also having to pay the deductible. I am pretty sure I have to pay the deductible even if I am not at fault, is that correct? If my deductible is $1000 and my premiums go up, it may be more wise for me to just pay for repairs out of pocket (if the cabbie doesn't pay). From past experience, replacing the bumper will cost at least $1000 (I think). There is also a slight problem with wheel alignment. If I report the accident to the collision centre but not to my insurance company, will my insurance premium still go up (i.e. will they know about the accident)?

Also, I am not 100% sure I will be deemed to be 100% not at fault (although I don't know why I wouldn't be, aside from taking my eyes off the road at that moment). I outlined above all I know to be factual about the accident, and I have the witness account.

Anyway, can anyone tell me if I am taking the right/smart steps? What do you think of this situation? Also, what happens if the other guy reports it with a different version of the story? Will my witness testimony be used to determine who was at fault as is (the email), or will we need to go to court or something like that? In that case, what does it mean for the auto repair and who pays (insurance or the cabbie.. or me if the cabbie doesn't pa if it means I can avoid my premiums going up)?
Thanks!

[Kinki]

You said you're going to go to report it to the Collision Reporting Centre. You're essentially reporting it to the insurance company, because Collision Reporting Centres in Ontario are party own and operated by insurance companies. FYI.

[rdtx2002]

I am insured with TD Meloche Monnex, under the minimum coverage required by law (I wanted the lowest possible premium).

What does this mean?.. you only got Comprehensive and not Full Coverage?

if that is the case, you are screwed I think

[qaz393]

its not an accident, it was a collision

[qaz393]

looks like taxi driver knows he wants to scam you. do not go to his body shop. go to places that paint show car and antique that does high quality work and make him pay.

[rdtx2002]

its not an accident, it was a collision

and this is relevant how?

[helenhelen]

okay, so when i go report it, it means the police report it to insurance?

in that case, should i go get a quote for repair first and then call the cabbie and tell him i won't report it if he still wants to stand by his offer to pay for my damage, but he must pay me upfront in cash today? that way i know it's not a scam. i would only also want to go to my garage of choice, but i am willing to drive around to get a few quotes if he wants me to (based on places friends gave me, so they are reputable).

i'm not sure about my insurance coverage because the documents are confusing when i looked at them just now. however, i do recall i purchased the minimum coverage possible in order to get the cheapest rate.

[qaz393]

and this is relevant how?

because op doesnt know or feel who is at fault

[Tomy]

looks like taxi driver knows he wants to scam you. do not go to his body shop. go to places that paint show car and antique that does high quality work and make him pay.

^^ he's half right.

op, just go to a body shop that you know and trust, if yyou don't know of any, go to the dealership. basically, you have a choice to go to any place, but make sure you can trust them.

[qaz393]

okay, so when i go report it, it means the police report it to insurance?

in that case, should i go get a quote for repair first and then call the cabbie and tell him i won't report it if he still wants to stand by his offer to pay for my damage, but he must pay me upfront in cash today? that way i know it's not a scam. i would only also want to go to my garage of choice, but i am willing to drive around to get a few quotes if he wants me to (based on places friends gave me, so they are reputable).

i'm not sure about my insurance coverage because the documents are confusing when i looked at them just now. however, i do recall i purchased the minimum coverage possible in order to get the cheapest rate.

cab drivers are sketchy. gather the information of the witness and just go to the collision center to report. make sure you state that he was making a lane change an collided with you.

then notify your insurance and you can take ur car to a place of YOUR choice and have it fixed.

[qaz393]

^^ he's half right.

op, just go to a body shop that you know and trust, if yyou don't know of any, go to the dealership. basically, you have a choice to go to any place, but make sure you can trust them.

i thought most dealership body shop is 3rd party contracted/referal??? the only ones i know that are sort of real dealership are the mercedes ones and Action Honda.

[rdtx2002]

because op doesnt know or feel who is at fault

talking to you about semantics is useless.. it's one and the same anyways.. look it up.

[rdtx2002]

i thought most dealership body shop is 3rd party contracted/referal??? the only ones i know that are sort of real dealership are the mercedes ones and Action Honda.

yes, most dealerships will have a contract with one of the 3rd party body shops

I believe Acura Markham has a deal with one of the car shops on Bullock drive.

[qaz393]

talking to you about semantics is useless.. it's one and the same anyways.. look it up.

you mean this?

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/accid...appen-1095460/

[rdtx2002]

i'm not sure about my insurance coverage because the documents are confusing when i looked at them just now. however, i do recall i purchased the minimum coverage possible in order to get the cheapest rate.

You need to read those documents and know what coverage.

I'm going to assume, like you said that you took the cheapest.. which is Comphensive. That means insurance will not cover you for the accident/collision. It's only theft, fire and vandalism.