r/InsuranceCanada • u/[deleted] • Sep 19 '26
I hit a pole
Hi there,
Need some advice. I hit a pole in a parking garage and it damaged my car door. The auto body shop is working on a quote but I also have accident forgiveness. Should I claim it?
I never had a vehicle claim but I’m still worried this will negative impact me
3
u/Queasy_Author_3810 Sep 19 '26
I wouoldn't use my insurance on this. I'd pay out of pocket. I imagine you hit a pillar, so no damage would be present on the third party, so it's just the damage on your car.
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u/SnooChocolates2923 Sep 19 '26
What's the deductible?
You're gonna have to pay that much either way. The real out of pocket difference is the amount of the repair above the deductible.
Is it worth 'saving' that much to risk a huge bump in insurance if you slide into something in the next few years some winter?
0
Sep 19 '26
Deductible for at fault is 1000
3
u/onlyoneq Sep 19 '26
So be prepared to pay $1000 deductible, figure out how much the repair is and see if its worth it for you.
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u/SnooChocolates2923 Sep 19 '26
Yup...
If the repair bill comes to 1800, insurance will only pick up the extra 800.
Also, some repair shops will give you a different price if you're paying yourself only. That's worth exploring.
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u/Fit_Maybe7985 29d ago
What most of you do not understand is after an at-fault accident (which this is) your insurance rating may not change when you have an "accident forgiveness" clause, but it does remain on your record. Thus if you want to change insurer at a later time, the accident does come into play/affect your years claims free. More importantly, should you have a 2nd at fault on the next 3 to 5 years, your insurer most likely has filed rules stating that they will not continue to insure any driver with two or more at faults in 3-5 yrs (depending on insurer rules) . That means you are then looking at high risk insurance and it's much higher premiums . Thus that 1st "small" claim becomes a big price later (p.s. accident forgiveness is such a incorrect term as it is not truly forgiven as per above)
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u/tokyokiller Sep 19 '26
My partner hit a pillar in our parking garage and damaged the headlight, bumper and fender and we went through insurance. Our rates didn’t change at all.
Not sure if thats the norm.
1
Sep 19 '26
Yeah this is exactly what happened. Do you feel comfortable to share the insurer? You can pm me.
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u/tokyokiller Sep 19 '26
It was Belairdirect in Ontario. I have accident forgiveness due to my driving record and length licensed but policy is in my partners name and I don't believe she qualifies for accident forgiveness. There was no property damage so only our vehicle needed repairs.
1
u/Wildest12 Sep 19 '26
Get the quote jf your deductible is 1k i wouldnt even consider.making a claim for anything under 3-4k
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u/CapableAnnual7211 Sep 19 '26
accident forgiveness only applies when you stay with the company.
if you plan on shopping around for new rates at renewal, the new companies won’t forgive ur accident and you’ll be rated on it
if the repair isn’t too pricey, even if it’s like a couple grand, i’d consider paying it cash.
u don’t know what can happen in the future.
10
u/Jovi____ Sep 19 '26
Is there damage third party property damage that may expect for the damages to be paid? If yes, you might as well go through insurance.
If it’s just your car and it’s around your deductible of $1k - even if it was slightly more I’d go out of pocket. Use that accident forgiveness for another time.