Incident with Our Gate and the Trash Truck
We live on a property with acreage, equipped with a mechanical gate for access. Up until a couple of weeks ago, our weekly trash collection has gone smoothly without any issues.
However, this time, the trash driver reached out for the gate code. My husband provided him with the code, and after collecting the trash, the driver didn’t realize he needed to use the code again to exit. Instead of calling for assistance, he exited his truck, jumped over the fence to enter the code, then returned to his truck—only to drive away, dragging our gate along and damaging the gate mechanism in the process. He spent about 45 minutes trying to detach the gate and later called to inform us that he needed to replace two gate pins, although the photos clearly tell a different story.
Now, the driver’s insurance company 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 would prefer not to have a claim on our record. What are your thoughts?
I’m really sorry to hear about the trouble you’re having with your gate. It sounds incredibly frustrating! Given the circumstances, it seems reasonable to pursue a direct resolution with the trash company rather than involving your homeowners insurance, especially if the damage doesn’t exceed your deductible.
You might want to gather all the evidence you have, such as photos of the damage, the trash driver’s admission of responsibility, and any communications you’ve had with both the driver and their insurance. Then, reach out to the trash company’s management to explain the situation and request that they cover the repair costs directly.
If they are uncooperative, you could also look into small claims court as an option to seek reimbursement without impacting your insurance record. Keeping everything documented will help your case, regardless of what route you choose. Good luck, and I hope you get this sorted out quickly!