MacGregorSailors.com

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!

Hee, Hee, it's just an 'ol truck, and barely scratched the silver paint on it's dock bumper! I always pay cash for vehicles, and all toys too! And don't get a new one unless the money is in the bank, and no, the money isn't in the bank for a new one yet, so I'll drive this one till it's time to haul off to the wrecking yard!

Yes, I like GEICO also, and they are always there when I needed them! Two rear enders in the recent past, with uninsured motorists who aimed their cars at me, made a believer out of me, checks on the spot! No hassels, no grief! I went with their underwriter also, when I bought this boat as their deal was much better for the same money as Boat US, who I had for years, but didn't come close to GIECO's deal...premium, and coverage!

Tom, I hate Gated Communities - Just kidding !!!!

I have found over the years that most car and house insurance companies have thresholds. For example you make three claims, even if they are not your fault and they drop you. Liberty Mutual Comes to mind,

I hope Geico is a good as you claim.

We had a Shetland pony run full tilt into a steel mesh gate once. The gate led up to a TV tower. My brother was riding the pony at the time. He was suppose to go left like I was doing but the Pony went right down this "gated road" hit the gate full tilt shared the hinges right off the gate on both sides - they were those Galvanized hinges. The pony broke the bit in his mouth but other than a nick on his forhead and a dazed look that went away quickly neither him or my brother was hurt.

When we called the Tower to tell them what happened they surveyed the damage and would not believe it was done by a horse. They said it had to be a car !!

Oh well sorry to talk other than Macs.

And feel free to remove my ramblings from this post.

-DOn B

Oh well, it could have been worse. You could have backed into 55 gallon drums of cooking grease!

Too bad Geico is so good. I work for a competing company.

Don B.,
Well, I have had 3 claims as I said, but the other two were from my uninsured motorists writer, and this one is my baby, of course, with property damage being the case!

Mark, so....in view of Don B's POV, I might be shopping soon....LOL, I sure hope not anyway!

The claims adjuster was here, and will issue a check directly to the gate fabricator, and it came in at~ $5,000 plus! Whew, what a relief it's covered for sure!

The gate fabricator was there also, at the same time fortunately! And since I cannot obtain suitable employment in the Aerospace/Aeronautical field, ( I have too many resume's out there!) I asked the guy if he needed a hand, and interviewed on the spot, and start work on Monday! He is doing gangbusters, has NO Illegal Aliens working for him! (That's rare in his proffession & our locale) I may just be of service, as I can easily run a crew, and Electro-Mechanical devices is my Forte' anyway, I think it'l work out!

As the say all things happen for a reason, and that's just how this unfortunate circumstance has evolved also!

Guess I won't be postin' too much, but I will be able to afford more toys for Great White anyway! Semi-retirement is a good thing, but a more positive cash flow is even better!

...........Makin' lemonade!

Tom Root wrote: And since I cannot obtain suitable employment in the Aerspace?Aeronautical field, I asked the guy if he needed a hand, and interviewed on the spot, and start work on Monday!

As the say all things happen for a reason, and that's just how this unfortunate circumstance has evolved also!

Boy, that sure makes ya think things happen for a reason!

Good luck! Post as often as ya can.