Continued Use Question for Client Who Got Rear-Ended

[Tristan Bills]

Client was rear-ended today and it broke the hitch on their trailer and damaged their rear bumper.

The AF party who hit them are from out of state (and so it their insurance) so they are needing to send an independent adjuster to review the damage and that is going to take a few days.

Client was able to adjust the hitch to get the trailer home. In the meantime, they really need to use the trailer for their landscaping business. They're curious if continued use would void any assistance from the AF party's insurance in restoring the broken hitch and bumper?

 

[adjusterjack]

They're curious if continued use would void any assistance from the AF party's insurance in restoring the broken hitch and bumper?

Shouldn't. Damage is damage.

They should take dated photos of the damage before using it.

However, I wouldn't recommend using it. There is a significant safety issue involved with the weakened bumper and hitch.

Their choice.

 

[Al3x Lee]

do they have commercial insurance on their business, that includes Business Interruption and Extra Expense Coverage?

Would that apply here? Isn't that coverage normally tied to property losses?

 

[adjusterjack]

Good point. I think I stuck my foot in my mouth there.

I removed the reference to BI Coverage.

 

[Al3x Lee]

Good point. I think I stuck my foot in my mouth there.

I removed the reference to BI Coverage.

No worries, was just making sure I wasn't missing something. Most of your advice is better than mine

 

[Allen Trent]

w

Shouldn't. Damage is damage.

They should take dated photos of the damage before using it.

However, I wouldn't recommend using it. There is a significant safety issue involved with the weakened bumper and hitch.

Their choice.

would be a terrible irony if the trailer broke loose & their landscaping business policy had to pay for damage caused or injuries by continued use of something known to be damaged