I'm needing some post-accident advice...

[pajerry]

So this asshat rearends me last week. He rolls into me while idle at a red light. Says his foot came off the brake and he didn't notice.. (prob txting) We would both like to avoid ICBC so I don't become an anti JDM stat, and so he doesn't pay too much or lose his job. Now my bumper is pushed up, chromed steel torn and bent, and rear tire pushed in at the bottom by an inch and a half.

I've taken it to two body shops, both unwilling to give me a written quote. They need to find the montero part numbers first, and want to avoid any hidden surprises that will cost more in the end. They did say that it would be at least 800-1000 for the bumper, and around 1000 to either replace, or fix and repaint the rear door depending how easily the rear tire is pulled out.

I talked to ICBC to try to get them to look at it and tell me what this would be worth, but they tell me they can't do a thing until I report the accident and file a claim. So I left.



So... at this point Im getting nervous. This guy didn't seem like he would have two grand or more kicking around to fix this. And Im very paranoid that ICBC will try to write the vehicle off against my will.

I remember reading about someone's van being written off due to two body parts needing replacing, or something to that nature. If someone would chime in who that was, I would like to PM them or something and see if there can be a better way to approach this.

Also, is anyone aware of ICBC's policy regarding cancellation of a claim? Will this accident still be on either of our records if I file to get an evaluation, then decide I do not wish to claim coverage if he pays up ??

[Luna-Sea]

Hey,
Really sorry to hear that,is your 94 you just got?

Anyway,the accident is his fault so you insurance shouldn't jack up to far no?
Call CC auto they have some Paj parts I believe.

I know you probably in a little shock right now after
what has happened to your sweet ride,but my
expierience in Vancouver was I got SHAFTED way harder
by messing around trying to keep it off the books.
The guy was all "sure sure" and then when it came down to it I had
to chase him around to get coin off of him. No report or anything
means he can just walk off leaving you with a big bowl of poo-soup.
Maybee the damage is not as bad as you think,
but maybee it's worse.

Just my opinion man,perhaps others can give you some advice.
ICBC is a bunch of crooks too don't get me wrong but you will
at very least get something for sure.

Good Luck
Please let us know
How it pans out

[FalcoColumbarius]

This thread might help you, Pajerry:

Oh ~ My ~ God

Falco.

[vixentd]

Go to ICBC. The person can avoid any claim by paying ICBC the claim amount. If you do not, you may end up with nothing. You may have the option of a payment from ICBC for a portion of the claim, not the entire amount and have it fixed by someone else other than an ICBC approved. shop.

If you do not you may get nothing especially if the person does not pay. Let ICBC solve that for you.

[William]

If you go to ICBC, they will 100% write it off. That's their policy for RHD unfortunately. If anyone knows different, let us know but that's what I have been told.

[fexlboi]

If you go to ICBC, they will 100% write it off. That's their policy for RHD unfortunately. If anyone knows different, let us know but that's what I have been told.

A friend of mine got a hit and run on his l300. The body shop estimated about $7k for repairs. ICBC paid. I know sounds ridiculous but is true.

[glenn]

Go to ICBC! I agree with vixentd completely. The fear that they might right it off is a completely separate issue from reporting the accident or not. Get the accident report in, then let the other guy decide if he wants to pay to keep it off his record or not.

As far as ICBC writing off the van - there are options here too - you may have to do a little research. ICBC does not have a policy to write off RHD vehicles, they are a business interested in making profit. They may write them off more frequently though because of a perceived difficulty in sourcing parts. If you're up for it, and they do write off your van, you can usually buy it from them and get it fixed yourself.

[pajerry]

I could see it going either way.. They could even bring up other small blemishes such as the canadian pinstriping/scuffs, saying it lowers the value of the vehicle so it is only worth 4k, or something. They're sneaky buggers. I also believe that if I am pro active, they might actually scratch my back a bit by paying out to me directly so I can purchase an aftermarket bumper to replace the factory, and fix the door.


I'm filing the claim today. :( I prefer the odds in russian roulette!

[pajerry]

And yeah, I agree Glenn.

I've had ridiculous problems getting much less money from people. Plus after leaving a voice mail letting him know that it will be thousands and not hundreds, and not getting a call back.



I've already contacted Mitsubishi Canada and got the part number and prices for all the parts. Everything needed is available new if they think its more work to repair/repaint.

The ridiculous thing is, you couldn't even tell by looking at the rear end that it was hit.

[Percy]

I was rear ended in my L400 this June, ICBC brought me in to look at it and did not know how much it was going to cost. They gave me a bare-bones estimate to take to an autobody shop. The bill ended up around 1500, ICBC did not write me off. There are more of these vehicles around now and people bring them in to part out. My van was in the shop for a week and then back on the road looking very good. I highly recommend Royal City Auto Painting, they work a lot with right hand drive vehicles. I saw Pajeros, Delicas, Figaros all being worked on there. Get a claim number from ICBC, the other person will be at 100% fault and it will not affect your insurance.

[ShaneA]

I definitely agree with going to ICBC. I haven't had to claim anything on my Delica yet (knock on wood), but this past year I had to make a claim on my Mazda 3. I had to avoid an idiot driving too fast in my parkade and I brushed up against a cement post scraping the rear passenger door and rear fender. I thought it might be $1000ish so I went to Kirmac to get a quote. They thought it would be over $2,000 and suggested I make a claim. After learning that my insurance rate would only go up by about $7 a year I made the claim. Total bill was over $3,000.

Good luck with your Pajero,
Shane

[trialsmaster2]

I'll add another vote for "go through ICBC".

We had someone back into our Delica while it was parked and we were out for a bike ride...thankfully the guy left a note and took full responsibility for it. The van was repaired on his ICBC tab, not affecting our insurance. When I went to the ICBC adjuster, they had an L300 Delica in their system, so they were able to estimate what it would take to repair/replace stuff....right down to the amount of time to repaint a bull bar.

Granted I had to source the piece on the front that says "Mitsubishi" myself (which came from CCAutos, naturally), the body shop I dealt with in Salmon Arm didn't have any problems with the repair. For our repair, the bullbar, light dent in the front panel, and license plate bracket were repaired and repainted, while the plastic piece was replaced.

Aaron

[RichD]

If he can't produce funds immediately, report the accident. Letting it hang gives him a chance to claim it was your fault.

Its unfortunate that RHD drivers are being made to feel that they can't make routine insurance claims.

[MardyDelica]

Hi, icbc, wont right off any vehicle if they think the condition is good.
i used to work in the body shop before & still has friend work as estimator for iCBC.
they looks for this:
1.) they will check how much you declare the value when you buy the car.
2.) if you buy it cheap & no service they write it off as they follow how much you pay.
3.) mileage & condition of the vehicle also contribute on this.
4.) basically they will look into this from day one who import your vehicle from japan.
5.) if you buy it from a dealer they pay you more as they know you pay more as the dealer do service & do modification on this vehicle. they see how much is the price & tax the customer pay them.
6.) Cost of the used parts to replace the damge aprts need to your vehicle, if they got expensive quate they write it off.
7.) lastly depends of on the adjuster who is handing your claim
hope this help cheers;
Mardy

[g_man1972]

I had an accident recently which was totally my fault, and ICBC had no problem with my claim, the damage was to the front bumper on the bull bar, bull bar, lights and the rest of the bumper. The word write off was never uttered, and I think the repair will cost several thousand. So don't worry it's not an automatic write off for us RHD folks.

And while I'm on the subject... Mardy? Any news on when my new parts will be ready? Been meaning to call Otto but I keep forgetting lol.