The other day, a truck driver ran into the back of my car while I was stopped at a traffic light. He admitted he was in the wrong, apologized, and gave me his name and phone number to report to my insurance company. He seemed so nice, and I was so flustered and upset that I didn't ask for any other information or identification. Now my insurance company says there is no such person, and that I have to pay the deductible because the other driver can't be identified. So I will be out $500 when the collision wasn't even my fault! Can the insurance company do this? -- Damsel in Distress

Dear Damsel:

Unfortunately, you have learned a very costly lesson about being involved in a collision. You MUST get the proper documentation from the other party, no matter how slight the damage may appear to be.

You should ask to see the other driver's licence and insurance slip. Then write down his or her name, licence number, licence plate, insurance policy number, and name of the insurance company. At the very least, be sure to write down the vehicle's licence plate, so the driver can be traced should he or she supply false information.

If you live in a city that has collision-reporting centres, as in parts of Ontario, you must go to one to report your accident; otherwise, notify the police. This is not an option -- it is the law if there is $1,000 or more damage to either car. As you know, it doesn't take much to reach that limit.

Since the insurance company cannot identify the driver of the truck that hit you, it has no way of recovering the money it must pay out from the guilty party. That means you are on the hook for the deductible -- your share of this mishap. And if you don't carry collision coverage, you'll find yourself in an even worse pickle, as you'll end up paying the whole shot for your repairs, rather than just the deductible.

As you have learned the hard way, it is not enough to take someones word in the event of a collision. When it comes to documenting your collision, seeing is believing!