The next time someone is about to hit my vehicle with his vehicle, Im
going to see what company he is insured with before they can continue with the
wreck. If you are about to hit me, please show your proof of insurance first.
The next time someone is about to hit my vehicle with his vehicle, Im
going to see what company he is insured with before they can continue with the
wreck. If you are about to hit me, please show your proof of insurance first.
Experiences of the last year have taught me that if someone inflicts damages
to you or your property, his being insured is important, but the insurance company
is vitally important.
Last November 8, the traffic light was holding yours truly in place. Sitting
there, minding my own business, waiting for the light to turn from red to green,
the sounds of screeching tires drew my attention. A glance at the rearview mirror
revealed a large pickup, rapidly closing the space between his bumper and mine.
The significant jolt of the truck hitting my car would have been an abrupt
introduction had I not heard the squealing tires. With my brakes on, the truck
managed to knock me 20 feet into the intersection.
No problem. The driver is insured.
Then, two months later, in January, my aunts apartment, of which I am
part owner, was sitting on its lower floor, doing what good apartments do. The
lady living in the upstairs apartment above my aunts set about changing
things – for her and us. She found a way to flood her apartment, which
meant ours reaped her whirlwind. Our ceiling became a spillway.
No problem. The owners association has insurance for us for just such occasions.
July 28, I made the mistake of parking my truck. Actually, the problem was
parking the truck in a legal, safe place, but where it happened that an unlicensed,
15-year-old driver decided to run off the road. My truck was in his way.
No problem. The parents insurance covers such incidents.
Did I say, “No problem?”
The last 10 months, insurance companies and I have established quite a relationship.
I know their claims agents by their first names. Actually, we still have a relationship;
Im getting to know about their children. Dozens and dozens of calls, forms
upon forms, letters upon letters, frustration after frustration, adjuster after
adjuster, hour upon hour later, not one of the claims is settled.
All the companies (three different ones) admit their clients were at fault.
They admit they owe the money. They just do not get around to paying for the
damages their clients have inflicted. I have checked to make sure the companies
with which I am insured take care of the “hittees” and “floodees”
as well as the primary insured.
I am sure the people who were unfortunate to have been the “hitters”
and “flooder” have long since moved beyond what happened. Well, maybe
the teenage boy whose parents told him they were grounding him for the next
250 years has not moved on yet. But the insurance companies have repaired their
vehicles, and I know the “flooders” apartment has been re-carpeted.
There just seems to be something wrong with this picture.
I really do not feel “picked on,” because I have inflicted my share
of difficulties on others. This year
has reminded me that none of us live as an island.
What we do affects other people, and what other people do affects us. What we
do – or do not do – is other peoples business.
Okay, if you are going to have a wreck or flood something, please tell me in
advance, so I can miss it. I simply do not have any more time to deal with another
insurance company.