Damage at Gas Station

[supersupps]

A friend drove from the gas pump with the nozzle still in her gas tank.. Gas station said she must pay $360 and she did.. IS there any coverage from auto policy that would not involve a rate increase for a claim and be subject to her deductible which is 1,000?. Does any other coverage , like homeowners help? ( the gas station clerk mentioned that.)

 

[Insurance-Guy]

Short answer is "NO"

It is a claim that will affect her rates. You already said her deductible is 1000 on the auto but that isn't even for damage that you cause to someone elses property. You pay your deductible to get your car fixed. Now maybe you have accident forgiveness in your policy but all I can tell you there is no way I would file a small claim like this.

As far as homeowners don't think there is any coverage there since it happened in an automobile.

And if you file a claim sorry your rate should go up shouldn't it?

 

[Josh]

First, she did the right thing and there is nothing more to do.

Second, the gas station clerk said homeowners helped? It doesn't sound like they now much about insurance.

Her liability coverage would have most likely covered it (with no deductible), but her rates over the next three years would have most likely gone up more than the $360 it cost her. If anything she should have played "let's make a deal" with them and/or waited for them to file a suit in small claims court and drag that out forever. That is if the only goal was to avoid paying them.

 

[GreenSky]

How many of us are at all surprised that this happened to a woman?
Maybe someone can post that this was terribly offensive to the women ont he board and that a religious person sent him a PM to complain.

Rick

 

[djs]

To clarify a few things:
- It's the property damage section of your auto policy that pays this claim (not the liability). This is a minor point, since the claim is small (ironically, it would be the liability portion of the homeowners policy, but homeowners won't cover this).
- There is no deductible on property damage claims. You don't have to worry about that.
- Some states have a minimum amount of payout on auto claims before they are rated. I'm not sure what state you are in, but for instance, any claim in CA below $750 is not a rated claim for auto, if there is no bodily injury. This is different in every state.
- Have her talk to her agent to assess the practicality of filing a claim. It's a learning experience at best. Chances are, it won't be worth it.

As a side note, this happens more than you imagine. Not sure why people forget about the nozzle, but that is why those hoses have a breakaway on them.

Dan

 

[desert boy]

sometimes, when you are just plain stupid, you need to pay out of your own pocket....

 

[xrac]

How many of us are at all surprised that this happened to a woman?
Maybe someone can post that this was terribly offensive to the women ont he board and that a religious person sent him a PM to complain.

Rick

Rick, I find that to be a very offensive quote and your attitude is very offensive!

 

[Newby]

Do people really believe they would come out ahead filing chickenshit claims like this through their insurance company?

 

[ijerome]

Yep l'il lady you done it. Now me, I have a good excuse for doing the same thing. After filling my tank I went in to buy a coke and returned to my seat and drove away...yep, with the nozzle still in.
I heard the pop of the hose release, stopped, went it, filled out a form, and went on my way. I was told it was an insurance matter and I would be contacted. Several weeks later I get a call from Farmers Ins. Co. to verify the facts and was told it is covered on my policy. No deductible and no charge to me. Will let you know if my rate goes up.

Stupid, yes. But since it is the only stupid thing I have done in the last 10 years I am probably good for another 10.

 

[Norwayguy]

Here is a silly question. How can you have paid for your gas if the nozzle is still in the gas tank...I've had issues with some pumps not registering the pump being returned to the pump and the clerk could not complete the transaction....so if the nozzle is still in the tank how do you pay for your purchase?