‘It was never my fault’: Ontario woman says her insurance claim was denied after crash

An Ontario woman who was driving home was involved in a ‘hit-and-run’ and was shocked to find out she had to pay to replace her car.

An Ontario woman who had been driving home when she was involved in a hit-and-run was shocked to find out she had to pay to replace her car when she realized she didn’t have collision coverage.

“My car is completely written off, it’s completely totalled,” said 20-year-old university student Makayah Donaldson, of Brampton.

Donaldson told CTV News she was driving home at night from a friend’s house in June when a speeding pick-up truck crashed into her, causing severe damage to her vehicle.

She said the driver of the truck refused to stay at the scene.

“As soon as he hit me he did not stop,” Donaldson said. “I was going 30 (km/h) and he was going 100, so it was a really bad hit because he was going really fast.”

The police were called and Donaldson said she was taken to the hospital with injuries, but she told CTV News she was unable to identify the driver of the truck that smashed into her.

Donaldson was driving a 2008 Nissan Versa worth about $6,500. While she said her insurance company agreed she was not at fault, because the at fault driver fled the scene, Donaldson was told she didn’t have collision coverage and was not covered for the hit-and-run.

“They said because I did not get the licence plate number that is the reason (for the denial), but there was no opportunity for me to get that because the person did not stop,” Donaldson said.

“Now, it’s my responsibility to pay for the tow truck, to find a new car, even though I was never in the wrong and it was never my fault.”

When CTV News reached out to Donaldson’s insurance company—belairdirect—on her behalf, a spokesperson said in a statement, “During policy set up, we work with customers to review and explain the coverage options available. This includes specifics such as collision, comprehensive, and rental coverage.”

“In the event of an accident, if a customer has opted out of collision, coverage would reflect the terms of the policy. While we do take the time to review all options of coverages, ultimately, it is the customer’s decision.”

According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), those involved in a hit-and-run require collision coverage to repair or replace the vehicle.

“Since the other driver was not identified, no fault doesn’t apply,” said Anne Marie Thomas with the IBC. “Because the person didn’t buy the collision coverage, the insurance company can’t pay to repair the damage because there is no coverage to draw from.”

Donaldson feels little effort was made to find the driver who hit her and believes she should be compensated.

“It’s very, very frustrating,” she said. “People have to live with the fact they don’t get compensation when they are not in the wrong.”