Auto Insurance Claims: Claim denial, position argument, own insurance

Question
QUESTION: I swerved to avoid hitting 2 dogs and slammed into a curb with my passenger right front tire. I drove it a block back to work and parked it. It would not start the next morning when the auto body tow truck came to pick it up, refused to start at the body shop, but then did. I got it back, drove it back to work, it refused to start, then did, on and on like this until I finally sent it to a mechanic who said the fuel pump was out. Insurance is refusing to pay for it, saying it was not caused by the accident, but by "wear and tear". Is it possible that the impact could damage the fuel pump on the opposite rear of the car? Very unlikely? Impossible? Worth going to small claims for if I could find any printed proof that this could happen?

ANSWER: Without any physical damage to the water pump I seriously doubt you will win the argument?

What does your mechanic say on the issue and is your mechanic willing to give you at the very least an affidavit saying how he relates the accident to the failure in the water pump?

Exactly what failed?  If we're talking seal(s) and/or gasket(s) etc v a broken whatever you are not going to prevail.

Do you know who owned the dog(s) that were apparently off the leash and caused you to swerve?  

Before I went after my own insurance company I would go after the dog owner(s)?  Assuming the owner(s) had liability insurance (home owner/tenant) policy) you might find that insurance carrier more receptive to your position/argument.

Get back to me with any further following questions.

Please rate this response.


Thanks



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: No, my mechanic could not and would not state that he could see damage caused by the accident to the fuel pump. I don't know what failed on the pump, except there was no fuel pressure when tested.

As for the dogs, they were last seen in the middle of the road going east with smiles of relief on their faces.

thanks, anyway.......!


Janet  

Answer
Chalk it up to bad timing and coincidence....

Rest well knowing you have a new fuel pump and it should last you several years into the future.......

A trick of the trade re fuel pumps.. never let your gas thank get below 1/2 tank and DEFINITELY not below 1/4 tank as that stresses your fuel pump and will shorten its life..