Vehicle hit by cyclist- question for the forum
 

So I'll make a long story short...

I was driving and turning into angled parking on a busy street when a road biker (bicycle) doing his best imitation of Lance Armstrong was weaving in and out of traffic.

When I checked, he wasn't there (because he was apparently behind another vehicle according to a witness) and then all of a sudden as I started to turn in, he was.

He yelled, I stopped (vehicle stationary now and not pulled in yet but angled). He tried to avoid my car, lost control due to his elevated speed and then struck the passenger side.

The force of the impact shattered his front rim, dented my passenger door and because he went over the hood there is damage on the front quarter panel as well.

Everyone was ok, we exchanged info, I got more information from a witness who's vehicle was also nearly struck by this reckless cyclist and whatever, everyone went on their way.

Did the report to ICBC thing, the cyclist also called in and admitted fault for the collision.

Ok so far so good right?

EXCEPT

Because he's a cyclist, I have to pay the deductible even though he was found 100% at fault.

WTF?

I was shocked... Is this really how it works?

My car is damaged through no fault of my own (admitted by the cyclist even) and I still have to pay the deductible?

I've never had an at fault collision. My one prior collision, the other driver admitted fault (because it was) and their insurance paid out my deductible so it cost me nothing.

I have all the insurance ICBC offers etc and max discount.... Seems wrong.

I believe its because the cyclist does not have insurance coverage, which is why the deductible is necessary.

Actually ICBC will try to recover the deductible + damage from the cyclist. If the cyclist pays up (it might happen eventually).. then the OP's deductible will be refunded.

It is the same thing if you are hit by an out of province vehicle.

Oh i see. That's good to hear.

Totally bullshit, but count your lucky stars he admitted fault an everythjng will be taken care of

Interesting- I didn't know the same was true for out of province veh's.

Is there a private insurance firm where this wouldn't be the case? I have the option to insure privately.... Anyone know offhand?

It's a frustration I don't want to deal with again!

Nope.. not that I know off.. you do know another way you can avoid this is to have $0 deductible and pay extra up front, if you are that upset at the deductible.

or you wait until the case is all settled (assuming you are not at fault etc, angle parking you might not be so lucky) before you get your car fixed.. then you don't have to pay deductible. You only pay that when you want to get the car fixed and ICBC hasn't decide who is at fault yet.

The fact that deductibles are waived quickly is because everyone driving in BC has to have basic insurance with ICBC.

This is the exact reason why I believe cyclists should have SOME form of road tax/ insurance, even if its just 5$ a month

The case is resolved and the cyclist has been found/admitted 100% fault. Adjuster called me today and my car hasn't been to the shop yet. I was told I have to pay the deductible still.

fuck cyclists. they share the road and share the same laws as us drivers yet they are not insured and get away with shit that drivers can't.

Fuck dumbass drivers who park in the bike lanes and cut us off just to make turns faster.

Respect on the road works both ways. This cyclist seemed to have made a mistake and owned up to it, unfortunately ICBC rules suck.

I like driving and before I got into biking I never paid attention to cyclists. I'm much more aware of them as I experience the road from both sides and again a little patience and respect works wonders.

I <3 my bike :D