Complaint Review: Gallagher Bassett

On October 19, 2006 a Waste Management Mack truck backed into my new van. It only had 6,300 miles on it! The driver of the truck admitted fault; his supervisor came to the scene and admitted fault; and the traffic cop who wrote the report said it was the Mack truck's fault.

My van required replacement of the roof, rear door, support structures, and significant repair to the rear side panels. We were out of our car for nearly 2 months while the repairs were done. Our insurance covered the maximum rental car insurance amount of $900, but we incurred a total rental car bill for $2651. We have been forced to suck up the additional $1751.

Additionally, we have been told that we could collect a "dimunition of value" because the car was so new and in prime condition, but have been denied. Gallagher Bassett has not paid us one penny to cover our expenses or our insurance company's expenses. They claim a "1% liability clause," which states that if you are 1% at fault, you have no claim on them. Hello! when the car was turned on we became 1% at fault. We were 1% at fault for having the audacity to actually drive on the roads we pay taxes for! It sounds as if Gallagher Bassett doesn't ever plan on paying anybody any money they are entitled to.

Laurel
Cedar City, Utah
U.S.A.