Claims Forgiveness for Trivial Fender-Bender

by Mark
(Ontario)

The other day my wife was involved in a minor fender-bender. She was turning left on an amber and a southbound car passed through the intersection and lightly struck the right rear of my wife's car. I understand that my wife is at fault for unsuccessfully navigating her turn, regardless of the fact that the other driver decided to run the light.

Noting that the damage to my car was slight but still worse than the damage done to the other driver, I asked her if we could settle the matter without involving the insurance company. However, she was adament in in her determination to go through her company. I couldn't convince her to change her mind.

I took pictures of her car. Superficial scratches on the front light. I got my car fixed professionally for a whopping total of $100. The lady's insurance company phoned us today and said that they were taking care of her claim ($1070!) and that they wouldn't involve my company by sending any claims to my company's claims department.

Will I have to use my accident forgiveness in this case? The way I see it, there is nothing to forgive. Her company notified my company but didn't bring it to the attention of my comany's claims department. I can't beleive that my car - the one struck - incurred $100 while her car, with extremely superficial damage, cost over a $1000.

Just how serious does an accident have to be before it affects my accident forgiveness clause and drives up my rates?

I would hate to use my one accident forgiveness on something so trivial.

Small Claim and Accident Forgiveness

Hi Mark
Sorry for the delay in replying ...

An at fault claim is treated just as severely for a small accident as it is for a big accident. And the other insurer wouldn't go to your insurer because under no fault insurance you deal with your own insurer. But if it is recorded as at fault accident your wife it will have an impact.

The impact will be that you'll lose your claims forgiveness. Another at fault accident in the next six years will have a big impact on your rates (huge actually) as both accidents will be "rateable" by the insurer

Was there a police report filed? And are you sure that your wife is at fault? The fault determination rules need to be reviewed to be sure.

Please be sure to discuss this further with a licensed insurance representative.

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