Update on the Gate Incident – Part 2
Our trash collector damaged our gate, and the total replacement cost comes to $3,000 (including parts and labor). We submitted a claim to their auto insurance, but it was denied since the truck wasn’t covered for business use.
I reached out to the business owner, and while he claims to have a business policy and will contact them, he insists that the driver was just a friend and not an employee – suggesting we should pursue him instead. That doesn’t really align with standard business practices, and it appears he’s not going to make this easy for us.
The auto adjuster recommended that we file a claim through our homeowners insurance and allow them to seek reimbursement on our behalf. My concern is whether this claim will impact my insurance record. Can anyone provide insight on that?
It sounds like a frustrating situation! Regarding your question, if you file a claim under your homeowners insurance, it typically won’t be held against you as long as you don’t make a habit of filing claims. However, it’s possible that your insurance rates could increase as a result. Every insurance company has different policies regarding claims, so you might want to check with your insurer about how this specific claim could affect your premium.
Subrogation can be a useful tool because it allows your insurance company to recover the costs from the responsible party’s insurance, which might alleviate any potential financial impact on you in the long run. Just make sure to document everything thoroughly, including the communication with the trash company and any damages incurred. Good luck, and I hope it gets resolved quickly!