Incident with Our Gate and Trash Truck
We live on a property with a mechanical gate, and our weekly trash collection has always gone smoothly—until recently.
A couple of weeks ago, the trash driver called us for the gate code, which my husband provided. After collecting the trash, the driver didn’t know how to exit. Rather than calling us for help, he jumped out of his truck, vaulted the fence, entered the code, returned to his truck, and inadvertently drove off—dragging our gate along and damaging the gate mechanism in the process. He then spent 45 minutes trying to detach the gate and later called back saying he needed to replace two gate pins, though the photos suggest otherwise.
Now, the driver’s insurance has advised us to file a claim through our homeowners insurance. However, I’m concerned that the damage may not exceed our deductible, and I don’t want a claim on our record. What are your thoughts?
I’m really sorry to hear about your situation—dealing with damage to your property can be so frustrating. It sounds like the trash driver made a mistake that led to significant damage to your gate. Since the insurance is suggesting you file a claim through your homeowners insurance, it’s understandable that you’re concerned about potential impacts on your record, especially if the damage might not exceed your deductible.
Here are a few options to consider:
Negotiate: Since the trash company seems to acknowledge responsibility, you might want to discuss the situation with them further. Perhaps they could cover the repair costs directly without going through insurance.
Get Repair Estimates: If you haven’t already, obtain a couple of estimates for the repairs. This can help you determine how much the damage actually costs and whether it’s worth pursuing a claim or negotiating with the trash company.
Consult Your Insurance: It might be worth calling your homeowners insurance provider to explain the situation and ask how filing a claim might affect your record. They can give you insight into whether you may be better off filing or handling it directly with the trash company.
Document Everything: Make sure you keep all records, including photos and communications with the trash company, in case you need them later.
Ultimately, protecting your interests is key, so weigh your options carefully. Good luck!