car accident

[daytripper65]

Hi,

I've been scanning the archives looking for into. about protocol on car accidents, but my dilemma is this. We got hit earlier today by a taxi driver, blatantly his fault, as he failed to stop at a stop sign and ploughed into us. Actually we were nearly past him already on the main road when he just continued out and slammed into the rear end. He apologized and begged us not to report it, as he said he will get a "demerit" from the taxi company (blue cab), and begged us to use a guy he knows that will do the work for much cheaper than where we wanted to take it (bukit merah, where thanks to the suggestions on this forum, I took it to have a scratch buffed out).

So we followed the guy to upper thompson road, and along the way I notice the car isn't driving the same, quite sluggish and low pick-up. So we get up to the 4th level of some building and sure enough the guy was there, looked at it, and couldn't give an estimate on the spot. He did point out though that the whole back wheel was caved in, which must be causing the labored drive. He also said it would take 3 days to repair, and nobody is quite sure who is going to provide or pay for a rental car for us.

We just bought this car a month ago from KIA, and we are now torn between taking it to the taxi guys guy, or just reporting it to KIA and having the work done there. My husband and I both feel bad for this taxi guy, as he is older and probably just trying to survive driving his taxi. We don't want him to suffer demerits or high premiums on his insurance, but we also don't want to encounter any unanticipated problems with this later on. However, we plan to trade the car back to the dealer in 3 years time, as is apparently the norm here, so maybe it would be in our best interest not to have an accident on the record. Or, if this guy does a crappy job, we could be in a worse situation with Kia later on.

Any thoughts or suggestions much appreciated. We have to decide by tomorrow.

Thanks.

[QRM]

Are you serious? just report it to your insurance company that what you pay for, you get a free rental car during the repair and you know it will be ifxed properly using new parts.

As to the cabby if he doesn't want to loose point he should stay awake when driving next time he might run over my kid. Let this be a lesson to him, he obviously does this alot.

Dont get it repaired by KIA, if you do that you will void your insurance, they will have a list of approved repair center call them straight away. See if you have witness as now the cabby can deny it happened and you slid into him.

What is over here where people are so adverse to claiming on insurance? so much so the Govt had to make a law that you have to now report it within 24 hours or you are also guilty of an offence.

[Saint]

Don't claim on Insurance, car is still deemed as 100% accident free when trying to sell it, can sell for a lot more. Well know scam.

[micknlea]

Like QRM said, report it to your insurance company. You pretty much have to do so now.


Read on...

http://driving-in-singapore.spf.gov.sg/ ... htm#noninj

[daytripper65]

Thanks for the replies and the link, it was helpful. We did report it, mostly on account of suspecting significant damage that we feared wouldn't be repaired adequately. What a laborious process though. If we wanted to wait for the insurance to get the approval from the other guys insurance, we would have to wait "about a week." In the meantime, our car was deemed inoperable (given the extent of damage to the axle, which in itself costs $3,000). The discrepancy here is that we aren't entitled to a rental car or reimbursement until the other insurance comes out to assess and approves repairs, in "about a week!"

[quidsin]

Are you soft or what?

Imagine if the boot was on the other foot and you went into the back of him, what do you think he would do? hmmm, you expat, me poor taxi driver, you give me more money....

get a grip for god sake.

[daytripper65]

Ha! Yes, we are both a bit soft I guess, for different reasons. My husband is essentially diametrically opposed to rules, regulations and paperwork, while I'm occupied with sparing feelings and helping others whenever I can. The trick I guess is how to avoid compromising the best interest of our family in the whole process

[earthfriendly]

Wow OP, what a nice soft heart you've got. I would have felt the same way about the taxi driver, knowing how hard they have to work just to get by. But for his sake and all other road users out there, he should be reported and learn to drive safely.

Sometimes, one has to be tough in order to be kind.

[QRM]

Thanks for the replies and the link, it was helpful. We did report it, mostly on account of suspecting significant damage that we feared wouldn't be repaired adequately. What a laborious process though. If we wanted to wait for the insurance to get the approval from the other guys insurance, we would have to wait "about a week." In the meantime, our car was deemed inoperable (given the extent of damage to the axle, which in itself costs $3,000). The discrepancy here is that we aren't entitled to a rental car or reimbursement until the other insurance comes out to assess and approves repairs, in "about a week!"

Its not the cabbys insurance that provides the rental car its your own insurance company, they, as in your insurance company, then claim from the cabbies insurance.

[localman]

Thanks for the replies and the link, it was helpful. We did report it, mostly on account of suspecting significant damage that we feared wouldn't be repaired adequately. What a laborious process though. If we wanted to wait for the insurance to get the approval from the other guys insurance, we would have to wait "about a week." In the meantime, our car was deemed inoperable (given the extent of damage to the axle, which in itself costs $3,000). The discrepancy here is that we aren't entitled to a rental car or reimbursement until the other insurance comes out to assess and approves repairs, in "about a week!"

I been hit couple of times too. On both occasions I reported the accident at IDAC then proceeded to the authorised workshop. At the workshop they lookover the damages and estimate a "ready by" date, they then provide me with a rental car - yes, on the spot, no need to wait for the insurance assessor. They handle all the paper work and also report to the insurance company on my behalf, it's really a breeze !

My insurance is with NTUC, is there a difference with other insurers ?

[Rithish]

Hi

I think im a little too late with this reply. But please DO NOT TRUST taxi drivers at all.

My friend driving my car had a bad experience with the taxi driver. An old man too. It was totally my friends fault, but minor damage to his bumper. But next day taxi driver claim he neck pain, total repair bill came to nearly $6k inclusive of loss of rental and income. My car changed bonnet, headlight only came up to $3k.

Medical he claimed another few $k.

When in an accident, take pictures, lots and lots of pictures. And report to yr insurence no matter how small the accident is.