Claim #1: Stow-Away

In Seattle, a couple failed to tie their mattress securely to the top of their SUV. As they were driving on the freeway, the mattress loosed itself from its moorings and landed in the middle of the highway, causing a three-way crash.

As two good Samaritans stopped to help, the female driver hopped back into the SUV and fled the scene, leaving her male passenger to deal with the aftermath. Shortly after that, one of the good Samaritans also went. A few miles down the road, however, he spied a man’s head “bobbing around in the backseat.” It turned out to be the male passenger from the incident, who had stowed away, hoping to escape the accident scene undetected!

Applicable Insurance Coverage: As this was a hit and run, the insurance coverage that would apply in this situation is uninsured motorists coverage. It protects in cases where the at-fault party does not carry insurance.

Claim #2: Accident Happy

The following insurance claim seems more like a well-crafted comedy scene rather than an embarrassing accident.

A driver somehow managed to cause three separate accidents in less than 1 minute. First, he was involved in a minor rear-end collision in which he smashed the car’s taillight ahead of him.   Next, as he reversed slightly to survey the damage, he struck the front bumper of the vehicle behind him. Finally, as he opened his door to exit the vehicle, he knocked down a passing cyclist.

Applicable Insurance Coverage:  Since the driver managed to cause property damage to the two vehicles and cyclists, the general liability section of his auto insurance would cover the claim(s).

Claim #3: “Hail” Storm

In our 3^rd scenario, a claims adjuster in Kansas received a rather suspicious claim for heavy hail damage to a car.

While there had been a recent hailstorm in the area, the adjuster was skeptical that it had caused perfectly symmetrical, round divots across the entire surface of the damaged car. The claim was rejected as a ball-peen hammer had caused the damage.

Figuring the client would be so embarrassed at being caught in an apparent attempt at insurance fraud, the adjuster assumed the matter was closed.

Instead, the man filed a police report claiming that an unknown assailant had beaten the car with a ball-peen hammer. He then filed a new insurance claim for the damages. Needless to say, that claim was also denied.

Applicable Insurance Coverage: Had this been a legitimate claim, the comprehensive portion of the individual’s auto policy would have paid the claim.

Claim #4: Blown Away

In our 4^th incident, the claimant was driving around in his pickup truck and had his shotgun riding, well, shotgun.

Arriving at his destination, the client grabbed his gun and hopped out of the cab. Unfortunately, he lost his grip, and the gun discharged, causing extensive damage to the truck’s headliner, seat covers, dashboard, and windshield.

Applicable Insurance Coverage: Comprehensive coverage paid for the damage caused by the shotgun.

Claim #5: The Thief

Our last incident didn’t result in a claim payment, but it’s funny enough that we thought it was worth mentioning.

A homeowners insurance company received a claim where the customer requested the company pay for the loss of his stolen dentures. Confused by the idea that someone would steal another person’s dentures, the adjusted decided to investigate further.

As the adjuster looked into the claim, he learned that not only had the claimant witnessed the theft but that he had failed to file a police report. The client, while on vacation in Atlantic City, had sneezed so hard that he blew his dentures out of his mouth into the sand. A passing seagull, thinking the dentures were food, snatched them up and flew off.

The insurance company ultimately denied the claim and suggested the customer file a product liability claim against the adhesive cream company.