Johnston, RI asked in Car Accidents for Rhode Island

Q: My insurance company is trying to deny my claim saying I used my personal vehicle for business use.

I was picking up a water heater which I gave to a friend who is hard up. My pickup is a luxury pickup clean as can be with not a single tool in it. My father ownes a Plumbing company that I help at. Any time me or anyone else picks up supplies for the company it is done with a company van or trailer which is fully equipped with tools to install the equipment. Also the work trucks have high mileage from all the driving around to customers. My personal vehicle has only 12,000 miles added from when I bought it 1 year and 3 months ago. I did not have permission to get the water heater at the supply house under the company account this is why I was in my personal vehicle. How do I prove I only use my vehicle for personal use and I was not picking up the water heater on the companies behalf? Please help....

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
Answered
  • Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Wyomissing, PA

A: You tell them it wasn't a business trip, and if they think it was they can prove it. Tell them you regret that you will have to file a complaint with the insurance commissioner. Get an affidavit from the guy you were doing the favor for that he wasn't a customer, it was an act of charity, etc. They want to be pigs build evidence that makes them look swinish. But doing well is the best revenge so why not talk to a member of the Rhode Island Assn for Justice who handles bad faith claims--and if you weren't at fault discuss your injury claim, too.

By the way, look at your policy. Chances are it actually says you have to be over a certain % of business use for it to matter anyway.

Neville Bedford agrees with this answer

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.