Wow, my Yaris got in an accident. You won't believe the situation

[Hamster]

We're in two different countries (I'm in the US, you're in Canada). I wonder if Canadian laws are different from US laws in terms of the insurance company's responsibilities. Here, insurance companies are just required to pay to have the car repaired to pre-accident condition. I'm sure a body shop would be charged with fraud if they tried to rip off the insurance companies.

As an aside, insurance companies here do whatever they can to try to screw over people who were accidents. For example, they try to pressure people to use their in-network body shops. And if you're the person who was hit by one of their customers, they'll tell you that they're paying for aftermarket parts. When in fact, you can choose any repair facility you want, and if you're the "victim", you are entitled to OEM parts. Everyone ought to know their rights, so they don't get screwed.

[Yury]

Originally Posted by Hamster

We're in two different countries (I'm in the US, you're in Canada). I wonder if Canadian laws are different from US laws in terms of the insurance company's responsibilities. Here, insurance companies are just required to pay to have the car repaired to pre-accident condition. I'm sure a body shop would be charged with fraud if they tried to rip off the insurance companies.

I am very sure it's the same here, but from what I heard the insurance companies somehow pay more to the shops than the street price. When you do it on your own, you can shop around and get the same thing done well for less. Don't know why and how and whether their paid rates are higher, or adjusters approve too much work, I don't know.

As an aside, insurance companies here do whatever they can to try to screw over people who were accidents. For example, they try to pressure people to use their in-network body shops. And if you're the person who was hit by one of their customers, they'll tell you that they're paying for aftermarket parts. When in fact, you can choose any repair facility you want, and if you're the "victim", you are entitled to OEM parts. Everyone ought to know their rights, so they don't get screwed.

It's about the same here...The whole thing is pretty disgusting considering that and how high our rates are (significantly higher than south of the border and keep going up every year). Because of all this I only keep the minimum legal coverage. My cars are not expensive and over last 15 years I had maybe 3 small fender benders, barely above the deductible each.

[Hamster]

Wow, that totally sucks! My insurance premiums are so low (just under $500 per year) that it's basically a negligible expense (and my policy is well above the state minimum coverage, and I have super-low deductibles).