Property Damage

[jmc]

My only claim against a trucking company, about 6 years ago, got me into their "claim procedure" that was nothing but a stall tactic. All contact via mail- no phones. Each round of contact required re-explaning the claim and digging up shipping records they already have in their files. It became apparent that the strategy was to wear the victim down. And it worked. Hope you fare better.

John

 

[jayhawkRoy]

Suggest you notify your Homeowner's insurance agent of a possible claim and get some repair estimates. I had a similar situation come up when a KFC delivery truck whacked guttering and roofing on my detached garage. The trucking company never owned up to the damage, even though their truck was the only one tall enough to cause the damage in the alley between my lot and the KFC store (only 18 wheeler to use the alley -- no other businesses used a truck that tall). I got the garage roof and guttering repaired through my homeowner's insurance and let the insurance company deal with the trucking company, rather than my trying to deal with their bureaucracy and stalling. Unfortunately, the insurance company's efforts to collect from the trucking company did no good, either. All claims were rejected. You at least have a witness and trailer number, so Roadway may be a bit more amenable, assuming the driver owns up to actually being at the scene of the incident.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

JayHawk,

I have State Farm. Their snotty attitude over the phone has provided me the opportunity to tell you that I will not have State Farm when my policy come due for renewal.

They showed their true colors over this small event when I asked them a simple question. Everything I have is insured with them. The only claim I have had with them for the past 10 years is a rear window on the pick-up that was broken when the ATV rolled forward. The ATV is also insured with them. I told them the State Farm Insured ATV beat up on the State farm Insured Truck.

But then, I guess all these Insurance Companies are the same.

 

[MikePA]

<font color="blue">But then, I guess all these Insurance Companies are the same.</font>
Wrong. I have State Farm homeowners and have had nothing but good experiences with them and, yes, I have had claims. I also have Liberty Mutual auto insurance and they've been great as well. Ditto on claims with them.

 

[RobertN]

Send the trucking company a USPS standard snail-mail letter outlining your claim. Although we all use email all the time, for work and personal stuff, it still is not as official as getting a written printed letter. You might even send it registered.

You might also start a log of your incident date, when letters were sent, who they were sent to, who you talked to on the phone and when. That way, if it drags out and they say they never got a letter, you can say "I talked to Joe Blow at 10am on Dec-29, and sent a letter addressed to his department the same afternoon; what do you mean you never heard my claim".

 

[Richard]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( You might even send it registered.
)</font>

In my opinion, it should specifically be sent registered, and your logic is exactly why. (I'd not want to be Joe Blow if the letter disappeared and I was last signatory)

 

[jayhawkRoy]

Sorry to hear about State Farm in Indiana. Like MikePA, my experiences have been positive. I insured my first car with them in 1969. As a KS-MO border straddler, my properties and autos have been insured on both sides of the state lines. I have found that the Missouri State Farm underwriters seem to pull the "threat of cancellation" trigger much sooner than the Kansas guys, though. Don't know if it is due to state regulators or what. However, agents and claims reps have all been generally helpful and professional, particularly on deciding whether to actually file a claim or not. So much relies on the quality and attitude of the agent and claims folks.

Strongly recommend all your written communications with Roadway be mailed either registered or certified, return receipt requested. Costs more, but you establish that the company actually received the letter. This is particularly important if you end up in court, small claims or otherwise, over this.

 

[Taylortractornut]

I was talking to another deputy at the time, THe officer that shot himself had been run off from the next town over for harrassing a Highschool buddy then we paid for that lawsuit then he moved to the other town, I mistakenly found out from the officer I was talking to about the shooting all we heard was he had shot hims eld and I said he was probably practicing his quick draw in front of the big mirrior I hadnt seen it whne I was comming back from work its visible from the road. The other officer got a funny look to him and said how'd you know that. They hadnt told anyone what happened.
When I had my Car accident the officer incharge of the wreck didnt give the trucker a drug screen or mark the accident I was barley in the helicopter and they were towing my Jeep off. Later we found out If he hadnt let the driver get away his I wouldnt be stuck with the 40 000 dollar doctor bill.