Not sailing related, but I have had my 1st claim (that I caused) in at least 25 years, just yesterday! Here's my story, and I'm sticking to it!Yesterday afternoon I went across the road, to our neighbors house with my truck to pick up a 15'X20' cat house (really, we raise exotic's..Bengal's) and opened their gate, which is 11 1/2' long, and 6 feet high. I insured that it was fully opened, and this particular one swings open, and seemed balanced in the opened position! Well, that's what I thought anyway! After getting back in, and instead of looking back over my shoulder, I proceeded to back by using my drivers side mirror. This is where I erred, as the hinge side of the gate was on the other side. It was windy yesterday,(I should have been sailing!!!) and just as I got close to the gate, it swung the gate in a position which placed it right on my back bumper, about 3" in from the passenger side!
As I cringed when I detected a loud crunch and pop, I looked back to see I launched the gate about 6' from where it should have been! Tore that sucker right off it's hinges, I did! So, I sheepishly walk up the driveway, knock on the door, and proceeded to tell them that well, they don't have a gate anymore! They have like 6 horses, and a few were outside the corral, and we had to pen them up swiftly!
She was understanding, and she said not to worry, and that they had hit it also! I said well not like I did, and as we walked down the driveway, she said nope....no not like YOU did! All through this ordeal she is very understanding, and said that well, it CAN be fixed. NO, I believe it's gonna be replaced actually,as I tweaked it badly, and it is an aluminum ornimental and very expensive gate.
So, I go home, call my insurance company, you know the one with a gecko as it's ambassador, (owned by Warren Buffet) and they proceeded to tell me this mishap was fully covered, and not to worry, as they will handle it ASAP! Whew, what a relief that was, as I have been told this doggone gate may cost like 5 grand, but we will see! I guess all those years of premiums will finally pay off, huh?
Even though I am admitting my stupidity, I only related this as we all back our trailers, and see the need for me being alot more careful! I have had trailers for decades, and NEVER had an incident, but after yesterday, I hopefully learned a valuable lesson here, as one can never be TOO careful when backing one's vehicle!
