Auto Insurance on Wrong Fuel

[Eleeza_rob]

Hi,
Is anyone know a case study that ruled puting the wrong fuel in the car and damaged the engine isn't an accident and not coverd by the insurance policy
thanks

 

[xrac]

Putting gasoline say in a diesel engine would have to be either one of two things: intention or an accident. If intention it would not be covered if the owner committed the act intentional but it would be if committed by someone trying to cause harm. If accidental by owner or other party it should be covered. Now if we are talking about an engine problem because of the long term running of low octane fuel in a high octane vehicle that would not be covered. I am not a P&C agent or attorney but this is what my experiences teach me.

 

[djs]

You would have to read the policy. I doubt this is covered in virtually any auto policy though.

In general, it fails the 'sudden and unexpected' test for being an accident. It's really a normal maintainance issue, which is almost never covered by an auto policy. This is similar to running your engine out of oil, which also is not covered.

I would grant you that this is probably unintentional negligence, so this part would qualify, but, since it is maintainence, not an accident, it's hard to see anything covering this.

Now, if you manage to forget to return the nozzle to the pump, and drive away with the nozzle still in your gas tank, that is a covered accident Doesn't matter if it is the right fuel or not!

Dan


P.S. I assume you are asking this because you were told by your insurance company that this would not be covered.

 

[black knight]

I knew of a case where the wrong fuel was pumped into the holding tanks at a gas station, and the station owner was ultimately on the hook for the repairs. That one was a bit easier to prove as there were multiple customers with issues on the same day.

 

[arnguy]

A few years ago an acquaintance of mine pumped kerosene into his fuel tank. Really fu*ked up his car. He was pretty fu*ked up at the time himself. He admitted he was drunk as a skunk when he did that. No claim filed because he didn't have insurance. Real "smart" guy.

 

[VolAgent]

Putting gasoline say in a diesel engine would have to be either one of two things: intention or an accident. If intention it would not be covered if the owner committed the act intentional but it would be if committed by someone trying to cause harm. If accidental by owner or other party it should be covered. Now if we are talking about an engine problem because of the long term running of low octane fuel in a high octane vehicle that would not be covered. I am not a P&C agent or attorney but this is what my experiences teach me.

Putting gas into a diesel isn't that big a deal. The real problem is putting diesel into a gas engine. Quick way to have to buy a new engine.