Narrow escape, but damage is done

[bkwon]

This happened on the highway (401, for those familiar with Toronto). Traffic speed was at 100+ kph (60 mph).

You've seen them. They "weeze" in and out of traffic, driving faster that everyone else, change 2 lanes at a time. I see these drivers all the time and just hope I never run into them. I guess my luck ran out last night. On the way home, had my left signal on, like other "normal" drivers would do, before proceeding to move to the lane on my left. In a flash, I noticed the driver of a passenger vehicle, who within seconds had moved from way back behind in the lane on my right, to the lane on my left I'm about to move into. I pulled back but unfortunately it was too late. The driver hit me, then moved 2 lanes to the right, i.e. the lane I was in, and to the right of it (back to the lane where he was). Then he was gone, as if nothing had happened.

Having heard and read the horror stories on auto insurance, I've ruled out filing an insurance claim. I'm paying a reasonable rate and not about to "rock the boat". So, what to do?

(1) Live with it
(2) Have it repaired or replaced (part)
(3) Wait and trade-in for 2005 Pilot.

[Sunday Rider]

BKwon I feel your pain. I had a near miss yesterday, when some idiot came out of the parking lot downhill, in an old Chevy, and he was out of control, parked cars on my right, and he was coming from the left. I closed my eyes, and I don't know how he missed.

You know the insurance company is going to stick it to you, no matter what. Did you get an estimate?

You should repair it, other wise it will always remind you of what happened. You know you don't want to trade for a 2005, because you will wish you hung on until the 2006, 2007... came out.

So treat it like it wasn't hit, when would you have traded it?

I am glad no one was hurt. Too bad you couldn't get hold of that @hole. He will have suffered some damage too, but with all the accidents that happened in the last 5 days, I doubt anyone will listen.

Sorry for the damage to your "baby".

Sunday Rider

[jay]

What a terrible thing to have happen. I know my insurance wouldn't ding me (pun intended) for a hit-and-run that wasn't my fault. Couldn't you at least talk to your agent to see what impact filing a claim would have?

[wwong]

I would recommend repairing it. Here in the States, if you do not have an accident or ticket in 3 years, the insurance company usually does not raise your premium. Get an estimate. If it's way over your deductible, file a claim. If the estimate is around your deductible, pay for it yourself. Note that a few body shops don't even ask for your deductible. They want your business, so they waive the deductible.

[RipRocK]

bkwon, that truly sucks!! Sounds like you're dealing with it much better than I ever would.

I'd first find out what the estimate on the repair would be. Then, perhaps find out what the dimished value on the car would be in a trade-in. If the latter is greater than the former, may be you should go ahead and repair it.

Your concern of a possible unfair increase in your premiums by the insurance company for claiming the repair in this case is valid. However, I've claimed a hit and run before on my minivan and I was told by the insurance company's claims processor that in a hit & run claim, you're usually not levied a premium increase, unless you claim it like once every year. Just like jay said, you should look into it. Although, I was the victim of a hit & run in a parking lot though, not while driving.

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by bkwon

Having heard and read the horror stories on auto insurance, I've ruled out filing an insurance claim. I'm paying a reasonable rate and not about to "rock the boat". So, what to do?

(1) Live with it
(2) Have it repaired or replaced (part)
(3) Wait and trade-in for 2005 Pilot.

I don't get the concept of paying for insurance then being afraid to use it.

What is your deductable? If you are not going to make any claims below $1000, then don't have a deductable below $1000.

[borg]

bkwon, my blood is boiling as I read your post. These types of actions/ehaviours from negligent drivers really irks me to no end. But unless you were able to get the licence plate of the offending vehicle,(assuming it is properly registered & insured) there's no possible way of reaching a satisfactory outcome. Like you said, damage is done.

What to do? Two things.
If it were me, I would get repaired because I cant stand driving around in a banged up car. If done properly it will be as good as new.

I would keep my eye out for the vehicle,because payback is a
MOTHER !.....& believe me I will track this mother down and.....OOOPS. Sorry didnt mean to get carried away.

[krygny]

... to both the police and your insurance company. Typically in a highway lane-change "bump", it's impossible to reliably ascertain exactly what happened (i.e., who's at fault). So, the insurance companies usually assign 50% responsibility to both parties. But since he left the scene, by definition, you are the victim of a hit-and-run. Your insurance company [theoretically] should not assign any blame to you. And you never know if the cops could find the bastard. Then, a fender bender becomes a felony and the guy's life is ruined. And that's sweet.

[bkwon]

I appreciate all the support here ..

Well, it happened so fast and the behaviour exhibited by the other driver was undoubtedly dangerous driving. In fact, not too long ago I saw a cop in a cruiser nailed a driver at about the same section of the highway where I was. That driver displayed very similar "performance", though there was no accident. Anyway, I guess I can take it better than most people I know. A vehicle is a thing. Things can be replaced, people cannot. Hence, my "cool" head usually prevails, or at least I try. Yes, I'm paying for insurance but afraid to "use it". Auto insurance rates in Canada have skyrocketed to a point where it's become an election issue in every province of this country. I know people who pay a lot more than I do. So I believe if I file a claim (or perhaps even just talk to my agent) sooner or later, I'll pay for it through higher rates. I've read more than one reports similar to this. Sadly, my guess is it's probably the reality.

First, I'm going to get an estimate for repair. Looks like the "fender" or whatever it's called can simply be replaced. We'll see how much this is going to cost me.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[Sunday Rider]

Originally posted by bkwon
I appreciate all the support here ..

Well, it happened so fast and the behaviour exhibited by the other driver was undoubtedly dangerous driving. In fact, not too long ago I saw a cop in a cruiser nailed a driver at about the same section of the highway where I was. That driver displayed very similar "performance", though there was no accident. Anyway, I guess I can take it better than most people I know. A vehicle is a thing. Things can be replaced, people cannot. Hence, my "cool" head usually prevails, or at least I try. Yes, I'm paying for insurance but afraid to "use it". Auto insurance rates in Canada have skyrocketed to a point where it's become an election issue in every province of this country. I know people who pay a lot more than I do. So I believe sooner or later, I'll pay for it. I've read more than one reports similar to this.

First, I'm going to get an estimate for repair. Looks like the "fender" or whatever it's called can simply be replaced. We'll see how much this is going to cost me.

Thanks for the suggestions.

This no fault Ontario insurance sucks. I would ask your agent what the outcome will be. I am guessing they will need a police report. The 401 (highway) has become a wild place. My insurance company (Liberty Mutual) was very good when the van I was driving was hit on the side when we were in Florida. The police officer (Trooper) said it was an improper lane change on my part, when the guy came out of a parking lot, as I was changing lanes to the right. I didn't think the other driver looked, but anyway, the insurance company said it was the 1st time I've made a claim, and my premium did not go up. The damage was $3,000. My rating was not as good as before, but they did not raise the premium, that was 4 years ago.

Get a couple of estimates. Don't shy away from going to some of the good detailing shops. I was at one and they were repairing fenders, bumpers, doors, and ALL the cars came from dealers. I can give you the name it is in Newmarket, but I know that is far from where you live. Drop me a PM if you want it.