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- 06/05/2024
Is it Covered - Pump Drive Away
Did you forget Something?
When do I ever get to mention Jerry Bruckheimer in a blog post?!?
Nicholas Springer
When you pull away from the pump, do you ever second guess if you put the nozzle back? I know I do every once in a while...
It's one of those Default Mode Network moments where your body and mind go into auto-mode and complete the task, like driving home and realizing "how did I get here"?
But every once in a while, things don't go as planned, and you really do forget a part of the task.
I saw this the other day at Sheetz on Huguenot Rd: a gas nozzle lying neatly next to a pump with a whole bunch of fuel absorbent spread around. Is that covered on their insurance policy? Well, possibly, at least if you have liability and collision coverage.
The damage to the pump would be considered liability. However, the damage may not be as bad as it sounds because the nozzles are designed to break away in situations like this.
Pretty Common
According to research done by the New York Times, break-aways happen about once a month at the average gas station!
What about your car?
Well if you happened to damage your car, like bend the gas door, that could be covered under your Collision coverage. But remember, you have a deductible that applies, possibly in the neighborhood of $500 to $1,000 first. And don't forget, if it's paid under collision coverage it will be added to your claims record as an accident and can have a negative impact on your future insurance premiums!
Worse Case Scenario?
What's the worst that can happen? Well, if the event happens to end up looking like a Jerry Bruckheimer movie and you blow up the special effects budget as you are pulling away (pun intended), this might not be covered the way you think it is. It's not likely but has happened- as seen here. Any damage that ensues is hopefully covered by your liability insurance, but the state mandated limits may come up short. The average price of a single gas pump is about $20,000. That also happens to be the required minimum property damage liability limit in the state of Virginia. Add any other damage to that event and you are going to have to write a check!
As long as you have good car insurance and higher limits, the gas pump won't break you when you break it!
Nick Springer, current President and CEO of Springer Insurance, joined the agency in 2000. From CSR to telemarketer, Associate Agent, Vice President and now President, Nick worked every possible job in the agency, including janitor while he was in middle school two nights a week!
After taking over for Reta, who retired in 2018, Nick and his wife Shannon have grown the agency to four locations and recently moved the Home Office to a new office condo, still in Midlothian. Over his many years, Nick has attained the designation of a Certified Authority on Workers Compensation (CAWC) and most recently the coveted Certified Insurance Counseller (CIC) designation.
Nick is now heading up the new Springer Private Client Division geared to High Net Worth clients.
