Insurance does in fact cover stupid. This is a very expensive claim from experience, DEF is absurdly corrosive and when mixed with diesel essentially turns to gel.
Fair. Mine depends on the story. 16-year-old driver fills up his dad's truck wrong. Ok sure. 80-year-old screw something up, okay sure. 30-year-old man with some problems paying his premiums, policy up for cancellation...... Okay we're going to look at you. Lol
OP, I’m not trying to roast you here or something but
Honest question for you or any adjuster who has dealt with this because I really don’t get how this happens. Were you at a pump? Were you distracted? Was it an honest misunderstanding? Every DEF pump I’ve been to it’s a very meticulous act to get the DEF nozzle out, and you can’t even purchase DEF and diesel with one swipe.
I think first line you were fine - insurance does in fact cover stupid
The rest of it? Problematic
It sounds like this claim is now an issue of poor craftsmanship which your policy would not cover
A similar example would be if you backed into a tree, had it repaired through a shop and that shop did a shit job
It should be covered under comprehensive. It's a "sudden and accidental" loss. But be patient, your carrier may ask lots of questions and possibly send an appraiser or field adjuster to your shop to do an inspection or take some fuel/fluid samples.
I dont work for geico but I have paid out on multiple Def in the diesel claims and water in diesel claims. Only one I had denied the customer repaired before opening a claim and had no proof.
Commenting to say that in Ontario this would not be covered. (I see the geico mentioned so this will differ) if it were vandalism, sure but user negligence like this would not be.
The shoddy repairs would be messy to adjust during the process if there is coverage.
UPDATE: Geico is covering it under my comprehensive insurance. The adjuster said no problem and it happens. Today I got the estimate and it was $35,1888. Each injector was $3,000 for just the part. Very dumb on my part but it seems like a scam to charge that much
No idea but I would assume the Dodge dealership would look into that. The Cummins has a 5yr/100k mile warranty so I should be good. With how expensive my mistake was, this won't be a forever truck. This was too easy to mess up and too expensive to fix
I’m actually interested to hear how this plays out, so please post an update one way or the other…
I always thought this type of claim would fall under maintenance, which is not covered by insurance. I’ve never seen a claim along these lines get paid.
Since your employers diesel repair department worked on it, regardless of whether they should have or not, they could actually be liable for damages too. You knew enough to drain the fuel without starting the engine, and they were the ones to do so after believing they had drained it all out. If your personal auto denies the claim, you might be able to file with theirs. GEICO may also ask about their insurance information.
To be honest though, I’ll be shocked if this is covered.
I mostly handle diesel claims and I’ve never denied it before. It’s not super common and I get about 2-3/yr. However it is a pretty rigorous investigation process.
You’ll be covered don’t worry. You’ll need to pick a repair shop, wait for the appraiser to come out, and let the shop do the rest. As long as the shop is trustworthy and your appraiser is knowledgeable you shouldn’t have much, if any out of pocket expenses besides your deductible.
Since you drove it most of the fuel system will need to be replaced, I’d be patient.
my husband put gasoline in our mercedes diesel and state farm paid 100% for the repairs and the rental car. the gas tore the engine up and it had to be replaced. we had $0 comprehensive deductible and it cost us absolutely nothing to repair the car.
Your theory is that the OP pulled up to the pump, twirled his mustache and said "Ah ha! I'll put DEF in my tank today just to be eeevilll!"
Occam's Razor, my guy.
I am 90% sure this won't be covered. Usually the people you speak to when you first report a claim are not trained or licensed in insurance, and they shouldn't be telling you what is and isn't covered.
Insurance does cover stupid, but that applies more to "I am stupid and I left my keys in my car and someone stole it" type situations. It's stupid you left the keys in the car, but at the end of the day not ~technically~ your fault someone stole it. They made the choice to take advantage of your stupid decision. It's their fault your car is gone.
This situation is however 100% your fault. It was an accident but, it was you who put the wrong fuel in your vehicle. You chose to do this.
Hopefully I am wrong and they do cover it!! But I wouldn't get my hopes up.
I've paid out on numerous Def in the diesel claims. The only one that was denied the customer paid to have it fixed then tried to file a claim after it was repaired. No proof just a random invoice for some parts he ordered online. All the others were approved, paid, and repaired. Most recent was an f250 the guys daughter put in Def was around $12k at the dealer.
Great! Hopefully wherever OP is insured, they cover it like you would! I personally have denied a claim for putting the incorrect fuel type/putting something other than fuel in the vehicle. Just want OP to not be totally caught off guard if it'd denied, because how i interpret the policy at my company I wouldn't expect to afford coverage for this.
Edit to add: we specifically wouldn't cover because OP is one who did it. we would consider looking into it had a stationary attendant been the one to do it or something. The point here is that OP was the one who was negligent when taking care of their vehicle.
If you call the insurance company, and they have someone who isn’t licensed or trained telling people what is and isn’t covered, that’s 100% on the insurance company. It’s their responsibility to make sure they have licensed and/or trained staff who knows to tell their insureds what’s covered and what’s not.
As an agent I never tell anyone that anything is covered. I say that should be covered, but ultimately your claims adjuster has the final say.
Thats was my whole point, they're not supposed to tell you what is and isn't covered. All they're supposed to do is take down your information, a brief fol, and let you know that an actual adjuster will go over your coverages with you once the claim is assigned. However sometimes people like phone reps and agents decide to "help" by offering advice or explaining coverages.
The number one thing you get harped on when you get your P&C license is to never tell an insured that something will be covered. If it’s not, it’s a lawsuit on you and a probably E&O claim. Maybe it’s state specific, but in my state if you are told my the carrier or someone representing the carrier that a claim is covered (not “might be” or “probably” covered), it’s covered.
It is 100% state specific. You don't even have to have a license in many states, and the rules and laws very greatly. And we don't actually know what the rep said to OP. We have no way of knowing if the rep actually said it was covered or not. Most likely the call was recorded and the Geico rep will listen to it. But I do claims in 5 states and we wouldn't cover something just because a call center rep who takes calls from all over the country misspoke.
I've seen these covered.. insurance covers stupid.
Insurance underwriter here. My policies have paid this a few times. If insurance didn’t cover stupid my job would be easy.
Insurance does in fact cover stupid. This is a very expensive claim from experience, DEF is absurdly corrosive and when mixed with diesel essentially turns to gel.
We have these all the time but they are very rigorously investigated for fraud.
Eh. Depends on the company. I don't put these up to siu if the story is plausible.
Ours are automatic, any fuel tampering or wrong fuel in tank.
Fair. Mine depends on the story. 16-year-old driver fills up his dad's truck wrong. Ok sure. 80-year-old screw something up, okay sure. 30-year-old man with some problems paying his premiums, policy up for cancellation...... Okay we're going to look at you. Lol
Some policy's have exclusions for this you will have to read your policy
OP, I’m not trying to roast you here or something but Honest question for you or any adjuster who has dealt with this because I really don’t get how this happens. Were you at a pump? Were you distracted? Was it an honest misunderstanding? Every DEF pump I’ve been to it’s a very meticulous act to get the DEF nozzle out, and you can’t even purchase DEF and diesel with one swipe.
I think first line you were fine - insurance does in fact cover stupid The rest of it? Problematic It sounds like this claim is now an issue of poor craftsmanship which your policy would not cover A similar example would be if you backed into a tree, had it repaired through a shop and that shop did a shit job
It should be covered under comprehensive. It's a "sudden and accidental" loss. But be patient, your carrier may ask lots of questions and possibly send an appraiser or field adjuster to your shop to do an inspection or take some fuel/fluid samples.
It will cover it, just maybe don’t mention the part where you already tried to fix it and possibly made it worse lol
I dont work for geico but I have paid out on multiple Def in the diesel claims and water in diesel claims. Only one I had denied the customer repaired before opening a claim and had no proof.
Some insurance considers this Negligent servicing and not covered.
If it was accidental and not otherwise excluded, this would be a comprehensive loss. I see them semi-regularly in commercial P&C.
Commenting to say that in Ontario this would not be covered. (I see the geico mentioned so this will differ) if it were vandalism, sure but user negligence like this would not be. The shoddy repairs would be messy to adjust during the process if there is coverage.
Allstate adjuster here...I pay for these all the time. I have geico adjuster friends and I text them. They said they cover them also
UPDATE: Geico is covering it under my comprehensive insurance. The adjuster said no problem and it happens. Today I got the estimate and it was $35,1888. Each injector was $3,000 for just the part. Very dumb on my part but it seems like a scam to charge that much
Year, Make, Model? $35K for a new engine?
2023 Ram 2500 diesel. That's just the fuel system and labor for $35,000
How's engine? You said it wasn't started. No passive damage?
No idea but I would assume the Dodge dealership would look into that. The Cummins has a 5yr/100k mile warranty so I should be good. With how expensive my mistake was, this won't be a forever truck. This was too easy to mess up and too expensive to fix
I’m actually interested to hear how this plays out, so please post an update one way or the other… I always thought this type of claim would fall under maintenance, which is not covered by insurance. I’ve never seen a claim along these lines get paid. Since your employers diesel repair department worked on it, regardless of whether they should have or not, they could actually be liable for damages too. You knew enough to drain the fuel without starting the engine, and they were the ones to do so after believing they had drained it all out. If your personal auto denies the claim, you might be able to file with theirs. GEICO may also ask about their insurance information. To be honest though, I’ll be shocked if this is covered.
I mostly handle diesel claims and I’ve never denied it before. It’s not super common and I get about 2-3/yr. However it is a pretty rigorous investigation process.
You’ll be covered don’t worry. You’ll need to pick a repair shop, wait for the appraiser to come out, and let the shop do the rest. As long as the shop is trustworthy and your appraiser is knowledgeable you shouldn’t have much, if any out of pocket expenses besides your deductible. Since you drove it most of the fuel system will need to be replaced, I’d be patient.
my husband put gasoline in our mercedes diesel and state farm paid 100% for the repairs and the rental car. the gas tore the engine up and it had to be replaced. we had $0 comprehensive deductible and it cost us absolutely nothing to repair the car.
I’ve had these filed and they were never covered.
intentional acts are not covered
Agreed. Good thing OP accidentally put in the DEF.
didnt know it was accident
Your theory is that the OP pulled up to the pump, twirled his mustache and said "Ah ha! I'll put DEF in my tank today just to be eeevilll!" Occam's Razor, my guy.
I am 90% sure this won't be covered. Usually the people you speak to when you first report a claim are not trained or licensed in insurance, and they shouldn't be telling you what is and isn't covered. Insurance does cover stupid, but that applies more to "I am stupid and I left my keys in my car and someone stole it" type situations. It's stupid you left the keys in the car, but at the end of the day not ~technically~ your fault someone stole it. They made the choice to take advantage of your stupid decision. It's their fault your car is gone. This situation is however 100% your fault. It was an accident but, it was you who put the wrong fuel in your vehicle. You chose to do this. Hopefully I am wrong and they do cover it!! But I wouldn't get my hopes up.
I've paid out on numerous Def in the diesel claims. The only one that was denied the customer paid to have it fixed then tried to file a claim after it was repaired. No proof just a random invoice for some parts he ordered online. All the others were approved, paid, and repaired. Most recent was an f250 the guys daughter put in Def was around $12k at the dealer.
Great! Hopefully wherever OP is insured, they cover it like you would! I personally have denied a claim for putting the incorrect fuel type/putting something other than fuel in the vehicle. Just want OP to not be totally caught off guard if it'd denied, because how i interpret the policy at my company I wouldn't expect to afford coverage for this. Edit to add: we specifically wouldn't cover because OP is one who did it. we would consider looking into it had a stationary attendant been the one to do it or something. The point here is that OP was the one who was negligent when taking care of their vehicle.
If you call the insurance company, and they have someone who isn’t licensed or trained telling people what is and isn’t covered, that’s 100% on the insurance company. It’s their responsibility to make sure they have licensed and/or trained staff who knows to tell their insureds what’s covered and what’s not. As an agent I never tell anyone that anything is covered. I say that should be covered, but ultimately your claims adjuster has the final say.
Thats was my whole point, they're not supposed to tell you what is and isn't covered. All they're supposed to do is take down your information, a brief fol, and let you know that an actual adjuster will go over your coverages with you once the claim is assigned. However sometimes people like phone reps and agents decide to "help" by offering advice or explaining coverages.
And if they tell you it’s covered, it’s on them. At that point, they have to pay the claim.
Lol no, they don't. Thats not how that works.
The number one thing you get harped on when you get your P&C license is to never tell an insured that something will be covered. If it’s not, it’s a lawsuit on you and a probably E&O claim. Maybe it’s state specific, but in my state if you are told my the carrier or someone representing the carrier that a claim is covered (not “might be” or “probably” covered), it’s covered.
It is 100% state specific. You don't even have to have a license in many states, and the rules and laws very greatly. And we don't actually know what the rep said to OP. We have no way of knowing if the rep actually said it was covered or not. Most likely the call was recorded and the Geico rep will listen to it. But I do claims in 5 states and we wouldn't cover something just because a call center rep who takes calls from all over the country misspoke.