Can anyone tell that I have a rather huge bone to pick with the Financial and Insurance Industry?

http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/truck-insurance-repairs-sgi-1.4557422

Driver furious after truck written off by insurance is returned with 'shoddy repairs'

Insurance company reopens claim and compensates couple after Go Public investigation

By Rosa Marchitelli, CBC News Posted: Mar 04, 2018 8:00 PM ET

633 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.

  


David Amos

In a nutshell this is the truth of the tale

"After Go Public's inquiries, SGI agreed to reopen the claim and offered to either write off the truck or pay Scriven $21,500 to cover the cost of the additional repairs, legal fees and other out-of-pocket expenses. The couple chose the second option."

Methinks the Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) would not have done a thing if a federally funded Crown Corp have not asked questions. N'esy Pas?

 

Ethan R Wright

Insurance companies are there for you... the day you pay your premiums, the day you have to make a large claim, they do everything then can to deny it, and if it is too large, they will outlast you in the courts while you go broke.

David Amos

@Ethan R Wright Wicked game eh?

David Amos

@David Amos "Scott Stanley, an insurance claims lawyer in Vancouver, says the best defence when dealing with a claim and repairs is to be proactive and don't assume the insurance company will "make things right."

Methinks Mr Stanley should try telling CBC something folks don't already know. N'esy Pas?

mia stalling

@Ethan R Wright
SGI isn't this he insurance company taking all their employees to Hawaii

Matt Stevens (AKA peace.order.government)

@David Amos

N'est-ce pas*

David Amos

@Matt Stevens (AKA peace.order.government) Nope I meant to spell it just as it was posted Methinks you knew it already N'esy Pas?

Matt Stevens (AKA peace.order.government)

@David Amos

I guess if your goal is to look like an Anglocentric rube you're right on the money.

David Amos

@Matt Stevens (AKA peace.order.government) Methinks you must have enjoyed my debates when I ran in various elections for a seat in Parliament Nesy Pas?

Is this the one you are referring to as you claim that I look like an Anglocentric rube?

Fundy Royal, New Brunswick Debate – Federal Elections 2015 - The Local Campaign, Rogers TV
5,455 views
Rogers tv
Published on Oct 1, 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cFOKT6TlSE

 

Neil Gregory

Isn't it interesting how effective a little bit of bad publicity can when if comes to getting a greedy corporation to do the right thing.

David Amos

@Neil Gregory YUP

David Allan

@Lynda Hill
"Where's the feds?? "

At the moment they're wondering why you're blaming them for what Brad Wall did.

David Amos

@David Allan "Where's the feds?? "

Methinks you are both wrong The Feds are already here CBC is financed by the Feds and they are the ones investigating this N'esy Pas?

colin smith

@Neil Gregory

It's government insurance though not corporation.

David Allan

@David Amos

The CBC is not controlled by the feds.

In fact, their board is dominated by Harper's appointees.

Facts mater, n'est-ce pas? Notice, I also know how to say "n'est-ce pas." You should learn this grade 5 lesson.

David Amos

@David Allan Methinks you should research the reasons I ran against Harper and his cohorts 5 times before you insult my education or the way northern Italians and I spell French expressions N'esy Pas?

 

Red Forneri

WOW, what a scam...a new truck is the only answer...and this ins. comp. should also pay their lawyers and compensation for their hellish headaches having to deal with an ins. company who was NOT there for them.

Shame on you!

Joy Smith

@Red Forneri Did you read the article? The insurance company did pay their legal fees and for the rest of the repairs. Try to keep up.

David Amos

@Joy Smith Why did they do so?

Andrew Stathat

@Joy Smith Try to keep up?!?!? Red said a 'new truck' plus all the fees and hassles. Try to keep up :)

David Allan

@Red Forneri

I suggest that you read your insurance contract.

A new vehicle is never promised.

David Amos

@David Allan I suggest you look into people before you insult them

David Amos

@David Amos FYI See the Motorcycle I am using to ID myself with? Well not long after I ran in the election of the 39th Parliament the Insurance Bureau of Canada claimed it that bike legally registered in the USA was stolen property when in fact I had owned that 1965 model since 1984 and I bought it from a friend of mine who was the original owner with only 4000 miles on it. The fact is the cops NEVER gave me my bike back after I proved that it was not stolen..

David Amos

@David Amos "A new vehicle is never promised."

FYI a completely original 1965 Panhead with original paint is worth MORE than a new Harley

Wilson Rose

This is what is known as a 'racket'.

David Amos

@Wilson Rose A government supported racket because of their powerful lobby of that I have no doubt. Most jurisdictions are now "No Fault" but you are still compelled to buy insurance by the government. Ask the cops or the government or the Insurance Bureau of Canada or the next dude who totals your daughter's car parked in another province why that is to learn who has the answer you believe. I did and everybody played dumb even though her insurance paid for the totaled car despite the fact that she did not have collision insurance. Go Figure.

Jacques LaPalmier

@Wilson Rose

"racket" is minor league stuff compared to modern Unfettered Capitalism.

David Amos

@Jacques LaPalmier YUP

David Amos

@Wilson Rose Can anyone tell that I have a rather huge bone to pick with the Insurance Industry?

  

John Thompson

Scary stuff...glad the owners were (eventually) reimbursed.

David Amos

@John Thompson ME TOO

harry richard

@David Amos ... thanks you made my day. did you watch the oscares last night David?

David Amos

@harry richard I don't watch TV

 
andrew liu

the owner did not give the signature. the company called him but would not give anyone a look at its call log. gee i wonder if they're lying or not.

David Amos

@andrew liu Perhaps you should read the article again

 
Bob Black

Why are the insurance greed machines allowed to put aftermarket parts, that may not meet the OEM specs, on you original equipment vehicle? To whose advantage is this?

David Amos

@Bob Black "Why are the insurance greed machines allowed to put aftermarket parts, that may not meet the OEM specs, on you original equipment vehicle?"

Because their lawyers say they can.

To whose advantage is this?"

Not their client's

 
Bob Black

Take a look at Ontario as to what happens when you mandate a product or service than fail to regulate the ensuing greed. It's a perfect recipe for a greed machines like the insurance companies.

David Amos

@Bob Black Oh so true

  
Daniel Unruh

What is CBC trying to do with the "new look"? Am I the only one who finds it a step backward in almost every way?

David Amos

@Daniel Unruh You are not alone in that opinion

 
Thomas Thompson

The first crime here was someone paying $66k for a pickup.

David Amos

@Thomas Thompson I agree

David Amos

@David Amos Methinks it could be classified as the 21st Century version of Highway Robbery N'esy Pas?

BTW remember how cheap these very same trucks were selling in 2009 when we bailed them out of brankrutcy?

 
Scott Shari

I got access to an AWESOME set of tools ( DAD useto repair CLOCKS ), I think I cud fix it!!!

David Amos

@Scott Shari Me too

  

Bob Horton

In the future, get your auto body repairs done at the Dealership. At least there you have a better chance of solving any problems that arise from the repairs. Dealerships don't want negative advertising, and will (usually) go out of their way to satisfy your concerns. While there are exceptions to the rule, your chances are greater at the Dealership level.

David Amos

@Bob Horton "In the future, get your auto body repairs done at the Dealership"

I suspect they would have wrote it off in a heartbeat and then tried to them another truck

  

Bob Horton

This is typical of any or all government run insurance monopolies. Read what ICBC in BC is planning for all BC drivers. It's criminal what they can get away with. And guess what, BC is governed by the so-called people's party. For those that vote ndp, take note of what your illustrious party will do to you.

Bob Black

@Bob Horton Private ones too don't think for a moment the corporate greed machines are any better.

David Amos

@Bob Black Methinks they are worse

  
Edward Katz

People need to be wary of these repair shops and should get recommendations from others who've had their vehicles worked on by them before giving them the job. Just this past summer I had work done by an outfit that gave me a date when it could do the repairs; then the car sat in their compound 16 days before they actually did it. While it was true that my policy provided for a rental car, that was charged to Manitoba Public Insurance Corp.; i.e., the taxpayer. All the shop needed my car for was 3 days maximum, so they shouldn't have called it in until they were actually ready to do the work rather than letting it sit outside collecting dust. Finally when I did get it back, it wasn't a great job because some of the fittings were still misaligned.

David Amos

@Edward Katz "People need to be wary of these repair shops and should get recommendations from others who've had their vehicles worked on by them before giving them the job."

That is common sense However These folks had no choice in the matter

  
Jack Richards

Definitely a rip off paying 66K for a second hand pick up truck. Not so RAM tough.

David Amos

@Jack Richards Methinks Dodges ain't the truck they used to be N'esy Pas? I know for a fact that my old 1965 model was as tough as nails and very reliable.

 
Douglas Snow

No one in a beard gets taken seriously. That is your problem right there.

David Amos

@Douglas Snow Care to say such a thing to my hairy face?

  
Peter Williams

Aside from the insurance piece, I still can’t believe how much a pick up truck can costs these days.

$66,000? Some Dodge Rams retail for $75,000 (sunroof is an extra $1,200)? Wild

David Amos

@Peter Williams In the late 1970's I bought a new 3/4 ton GMC for 5 grand and a nice home a few years later for 69 grand. The home is now worth about a 100 grand or so and the prices of trucks are fast catching up for no reason I will ever understand.

  
James Douglas

Insurance companies are bottom feeders.

David Amos

@James Douglas Methinks they take to cream off the top and leave us to feed off the bottom.

 
Johnathan Wilcox

He will wish he didn't pick the second option. Once a vehicle has sustained that much damage, it will never be the same.

Paul Bonnette

@Johnathan Wilcox

The bent frame woulda been the deal breaker for me.

David Amos

@Paul Bonnette Me too

  

Robin Blair

I wish CBC would make up its mind and either go to the (awful) "New Look" or stick with what they've got.

The constant flip-flopping is getting annoying.

Please change the New Look landing page to take out all the wasted empty space and extraneous photos. A list of headlines would be great - like on the mobile version.

M.Ann Morwood

@Norbert Harrison

Agreed, I detest the new format. And it keeps jumping back and forth, old jumps to new when you open an article.

David Amos

@M.Ann Morwood "I detest the new format."

ME TOO

  
R0bert Wilson

Basically there are only two job descriptions at an insurance company:

1) Sell policies
2) Deny or minimize claims.

David Amos

@R0bert Wilson "Basically there are only two job descriptions at an insurance company:"

Well put sir

 

Hugh MacDonald

Insurance policies are like hospital gowns - you're never covered as much as you think you are.

David Amos

@Hugh MacDonald Methinks if you thought you were covered in the first place then the joke was on you out of the gate N'esy Pas?

david mccaig

Part of the INSURANCE RIPOFF , we NEVER receive a vehicle depreciation payment, because in most provinces and ethically you should disclose any major damage and in this case , this truck on resale would be worth virtually NOTHING. In some states in the US they have passed legislation requiring depreciation payments on vehicle that have been in major accidents.

 

david mccaig

@david mccaig

When it comes to insurance we're screwed.
http://bighornlaw.com/counting-cost-depression-following-injury/

Austin Webb

@david mccaig Doesn't it count as salvage?

David Amos

@Austin Webb I know the registration of a truck I just bought in New Brunswick mentions it was a "salvage" vehicle. Hence one would never get book value for it ever again. Yet the government wants its taxes based on an inflated book value of a perfect truck of that year. Go Figure.

  
Raul Wallenberg

Insurance companies are the kings of scam.

David Amos

@Raul Wallenberg Methinks the Banksters who own most of them can claim that title.

  
Bill Campbell

If you get 5 people in a room, at least one will have a story about them or a family member being cheated by an insurance company.

David Amos

@Bill Campbell "If you get 5 people in a room, at least one will have a story about them or a family member being cheated by an insurance company."

Methinks that is a low number However ask yourself or any 4 other people why banksters and governments require that you buy insurance.

  
Trevor Boone Helm

Me thinks SGI needs to pay a visit to the body shop for an audit to see how many other repairs were made without a signature. Where there's one, there's probably more.

David Amos

@Trevor Boone Helm I agree

  
Kevin Bell

"....it has an agreement with the insurance companies to keep the information confidential, using it "to improve consumer protection" "

Should read:

"it has an agreement with the insurance companies to keep the information confidential, using it "to improve COMPANY protection"

Nothing they do is consumer oriented unless it is to gouge even more. It is legalized theft.

David Amos

@Kevin Bell "It is legalized theft."

YUP

 

Alain Le Brun

When my son wrecked my car, it was declared "scrap". The InsCo. (RBC) offered far below Blue Book, especially considering actual mileage on the car and its overall (pretty damned good) condition. One excuse went: "Oh, but Blue Book doesn't match well to the Quebec market." Plain lies and excuses to punch the claim downward.

I dug in my heels and forced them up nearly 25%.

Never accept their offer w/o challenging it or researching further.

David Amos

@Alain Le Brun Don't ya just love it when a bank owns the insurance company you are dealing with? Methinks the lawyers on both sides of the argument certainly do. N'esy Pas?

 

 

Driver furious after truck written off by insurance is returned with 'shoddy repairs'

Insurance company reopens claim and compensates couple after Go Public investigation

By Rosa Marchitelli, CBC News Posted: Mar 04, 2018 8:00 PM ET

Chris Scriven, left, and Deanna Schirmacher were told their truck was a write-off, but then it was repaired without their authorization. (Don Somers/CBC)

Instead of getting a cheque for his truck that was written off after a crash, a Saskatchewan man says his insurer decided to repair the vehicle rather than replace it leaving him with a truck he believes is unsafe to drive.

"[I got] a truck back with one working headlight, a bent frame, wheel alignment was way out and it wouldn't even start," Chris Scriven told Go Public in an interview from his home in Saskatoon, Sask.

• Been wronged? Contact Rosa and the Go Public team
• 'I wasn't telling them the whole truth': former sales rep for Bell says he was trained to mislead

After the crash, an aduster for his insurance company told Scriven his truck was a writeoff with more than $36,000 worth of damage, then had it towed to an auto body shop chosen by the company for a secondary inspection.

The insurance adjuster initially told Chris Scriven his truck was a write-off, with more than $36,000 worth of damage. (Chris Scriven)

"About two months after my vehicle was deemed a total loss, they contacted me and told me my truck was fixed. And I think that was the biggest red flag because I hadn't signed and I wasn't made aware of any repairs," Scriven said.

The auto body shop says Scriven was contacted during repairs, but would not provide a log of the calls when asked.

According to industry standards, an auto body shop can't do repairs until it gets a signature from the vehicle's owner authorizing the work. In Scriven's case, that section of the invoice is blank.

More damage found

At the time of the crash, Scriven's 2016 Ram 2500 Laramie was almost new and worth about $66,000 according to Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI). It had just over 25,000 km and no prior accident history.

"Financially, we don't want to be stuck paying a bill for a truck that our insurance company should have to cover," Scriven said.

After picking up his vehicle, he took it to an independent mechanic who found another $9,000 in damage, including a bent frame.

In paperwork provided to CBC News, the mechanic also warned the couple not to drive the truck long distances because it was "structurally unsound."

After the first repair, Chris Scriven took his truck to an independent mechanic, who told him the truck still needed another $9000 worth of repair to be safe on the road. (Chris Scriven)

For months, Chris Scriven and his partner Deanna Schirmacher unsuccessfully tried to get the auto body shop and SGI to fix the problems identified by the independent mechanic or have the truck written off for good. They also hired a lawyer.

"We pay into insurance every month to basically have them tell you that you're on your own and it doesn't matter that your vehicle needs repairs, we think it's done perfectly fine even though it's not and they shoo you out the door. It's not fair," Schirmacher said.

Insurance reopens claim

A spokesperson for SGI wouldn't comment on specifics regarding the the work done, but says the original repairs were done to "industry standards."

Scriven's case wasn't handled well, says Tyler McMurchy, manager of media relations at SGI.

"We definitely take ownership of the fact that there was a communications breakdown on our end. It's definitely a learning experience for us. This is a very rare and unusual case," McMurchy says.

Tyler McMurchy, manager of media relations at SGI, acknowledges Scriven's case wasn't handled well. (Trent Pepler/CBC)

After the SGI adjuster determined the truck was a total loss, the auto body shop determined it could fix the damage for $6,000 less than the initial estimate, he says.

After Go Public's inquiries, SGI agreed to reopen the claim and offered to either write off the truck or pay Scriven $21,500 to cover the cost of the additional repairs, legal fees and other out-of-pocket expenses. The couple chose the second option.

"The customer should not have been in the dark on that for the amount of time that this gentleman was and we are definitely sorry," McMurchy said.

"We will be following up with that repair shop to make it very clear what our expectations are of a SGI-accredited repair shop."

Be proactive, lawyer says

Scott Stanley, an insurance claims lawyer in Vancouver, says the best defence when dealing with a claim and repairs is to be proactive and don't assume the insurance company will "make things right."

Insurance claims lawyer Scott Stanley says insurance companies are vastly different from one another, and advises consumers to do their research before they buy. (Christer Waara/CBC)

"I probably get one or two inquiries a week from people all over Canada looking to get some free legal advice or just to get some help to deal with an insurance company," Stanley tells Go Public.

"It's a huge problem … there's not much there in terms of infrastructure to protect an individual consumer of insurance."

Stanley's advice to consumers is to take charge of their claim, saying they have the right to choose their own repair shop and can negotiate what repairs are done — even the quality of parts used.

"I think they should become involved, get a quote, do some research on the vendor to see if they are the right person or the right entity to fix their vehicle," Stanley suggests.

He also says consumers should be picky about the insurance company they choose. That's more difficult in provinces with insurance companies that are provincial Crown corporations, leaving drivers with no choice.

For those who have options, he suggests doing the research.

"[Take] a box of salt, typically a box of salt is a box of salt. One is not different from the other. Insurance companies are different.

"They are vastly different. And consumers generally don't do the homework, the due diligence that they would, say, if they were going to buy a home or something else," Stanley says.

Insurance industry keeps mum

The Canadian Council of Insurance Regulators (CCIR) collects industry data in a survey it calls its Annual Statement on Market Conduct.

The surveys completed by the participating insurance companies include information on how customers are treated, statistics on customer complaints, the number of closed claims, payouts and which companies faced regulatory action.

CBC is not responsible for 3rd party content

All of this information would help consumers with the due diligence recommended by Stanley when shopping for insurance.
But CCIR won't make that information public. When we asked, the council told Go Public it has an agreement with the insurance companies to keep the information confidential, using it "to improve consumer protection and ensure alignment with international best practices."​

 http://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/4391580/CCIR-Annual-Statement-on-Market-Conduct-P-C.pdf

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With files from Jenn Blair