Insurance pays Good Samaritan

Quebec insurer will pay for repair cost of good deed

A Quebec man, Philippe Morin was delivering his newspapers, when he used his vehicle to rescue a trapped toddler. His motives were pure, and he did not expect that the insurance company would step up and cover the resulting damage.

Desjardins is the insurance company that recognizes Morin's heroism, and is covering the $3,500 repair bill. In a statement by Andre Chapleau, spokesman for the company, it was noted that this is an exceptional case under exceptional circumstances.

Morin, a university student, was on his paper route in St. Jean Chrysostome, which is on the south shore of Quebec City, on January 11th. He heard a woman screaming, and quickly responded to the cries for help. The woman was backing out of her garage, when she pinned her 2-1/2 year-old, Marianne Couturier to the ground.

Morin and some neighbours of the Couturier's, tried to pull the little girl from under the rear wheel of the vehicle, but it couldn't be done. So Morin took his car, and deliberately crashed into the family's minivan, which caused the vehicle to move and freed the child.

The story just gets better as the little girl only suffered bruises to the chest and face. She was released from hospital after a few days. Morin's insurer not only paid out on the claim, but has taken steps to make sure that there is nothing recorded on Morin's history to reflect a damage payout. The reimbursement of the claim appears to be without a deductible being applied.

The insurance answer
There is not a Good Samaritan's clause for Canadians, who might have voluntarily caused damaged to their vehicles in order to rescue someone. This is a decision that is made by the individual insurance company. It is hoped that other insurers will follow in Desjardin's lead as the young hero, Phillippe Morin should not have to suffer a payout or a mark on his driving record.

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