Ontario woman shocked she has to pay for car repairs after hit-and-run collision
An Ontario woman said she was shocked when she had to pay for repairs after her car was struck from behind by a pick-up truck and the driver fled the scene of the collision.
“I was so disappointed and hurt. The guy hit me from the back and pushed me into the car in front of me," Toronto woman Niashia Browne told CTV News Toronto.
Browne said she was stopped at a red light on Dec. 21 when a large dark-coloured pick-up truck crashed into the back of her 2016 Honda Civic.
Security video viewed by CTV News Toronto shows the truck did not attempt to slow down as it slammed into her car.
Browne said she was dazed by the crash, but got out to speak with the driver of the pick-up truck.
"He never got out of his truck and all he said to me was ‘Sorry, let’s exchange information,’ and when I went back to my car to retrieve my information in a split second he was already gone," Browne said.
Browne said she is working two jobs to pay her family’s bills, and she said to save money she dropped collision coverage from her insurance policy.
Since the other driver left the scene of the accident, Browne will have to repair her car herself, something she said she can't afford.
Browne says she received a quote to repair the back of her car for $8,000. She was told the front of her car could also cost that much or more which means it may have to be written off and not worth fixing.
"I’m hoping they can find this person to take full responsibility for what he has done," Browne said,
Niashia Browne's car is seen in this undated photograph.
Ontario drivers pay some of the most expensive car insurance premiums in the country and some people are looking for ways to cut costs by dropping collision coverage.
To legally drive, it's mandatory to have liability insurance, but you don’t have to have collision coverage.
The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) said if a driver hits your vehicle and leaves, liability coverage does not cover repairs to your car.
"That would be considered a hit and run and if you don't have collision coverage there would be no coverage under your policy for that," Anne Marie Thomas, with IBC, said.
The high cost of car insurance in Ontario could be contributing to more hit-and-run collisions in the City of Toronto.
According to Toronto Police Traffic Services, there were 5,081 hit-and-run collisions in 2022 and 6,212 in 2021.
Browne is insured with Belairdirect. CTV News Toronto reached out to the company and a spokesperson said “We are unable speak to a particular customer’s claim due to privacy reasons; however, we can share that we work very closely with our customers and investigations are ongoing.”
“For auto accidents, police reports can take up to 30 days to be produced, so outcomes on a claim may take time to be finalized. In some circumstances, if additional evidence becomes available the outcome on a claim may change and coverage restored.”
“In this case, the situation has changed, and we now have additional evidence to proceed with full coverage for the vehicle damage claim. Our customer has been advised of this position and we are moving forward.”
Brown said Belairdirect will now provide coverage for her smashed up 2016 Honda Civic and provide her with a rental car.
“I can actually smile again I was so depressed. This is a massive relief for me and my family,” said Browne.
Thomas said it’s recommended to keep collision coverage on your vehicle unless it's very old or it's not worth very much.
If in doubt talk to your insurance company about your policy and coverages to see if your car is covered if it's stolen, vandalized or in a hit and run.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6978649.1722015109!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga, Ont.: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Ont., Peel police say.
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before residents can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes 'for several weeks.'
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six-figure water bill.
FBI says Trump was indeed struck by bullet during assassination attempt
Nearly two weeks after Donald Trump's near assassination, the FBI confirmed Friday that it was indeed a bullet that struck the former president's ear, moving to clear up conflicting accounts about what caused the former president's injuries after a gunman opened fire at a Pennsylvania rally.
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Powerful cartel leader 'El Mayo' Zambada was lured onto airplane before arrest in U.S., AP source says
A powerful Mexican drug cartel leader who eluded authorities for decades was duped into flying into the U.S., where he was arrested alongside a son of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, according to a U.S. law enforcement official familiar with the matter.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.