If you accidentally drive off with the gas pump (nozzle), and the hose comes apart at the pump...?

Question

...are you responsible for paying for the repairs? Because it kinda, um, happened to me today. The gas station manager on duty said he'd be asking me for a few hundred dollars, or else would take it to my insurance, which "would jack it up a lot more," in his words. I know I was a bonehead, but money-wise, I just want to make sure I'm responsible before I shell out.

Thanks.

Answer 1

UUHHMMMM, Yeah you are responsible for the damages and cost of the repairs. Although the hoses are designed to have a failure point in case of such incident and the repairs arent' too expensive. I would not deal with the manager as it sounds like he may be up to something fishy. Contact the owner of the gas station directly and work it out so you pay the repair bill directly, or have your insurance pay for it. You can talk to your agent and determine what the best route would be. Just because you talk to your agent does not mean your rates will go up, your rates will only change if you go through the insurance company and have them pay for the repairs.

Answer 2

The hose is MADE to be detachable, just for situations like this. I actually did this once too, in a blond moment of my own, and boy did I feel foolish. So being somewhat mechanically inclined, I quickly backed up, hiding the pump from the attendant inside, and reattached the hose (it's not rocket science), then left, no harm no foul. But with that said, I do believe that anytime they have an 'incident' like this one, there is insurance and station policy (might even be law in some places), to have the hose checked for damage before being put back into use, and beleive me, someone somewhere is going to make a buck doing so. Your best bet is to get your own car insurance rep on the phone immediately, and let them deal with any caca that the service station wants to give you.

Answer 3

I thought this was a start to a blonde joke!!!

I'd say you are responsible for repairs. Your fault! Sorry, not the news I'm sure you were hoping for!

Why don't you ask your insurance company too. See if this is something that would be better suited through insurance or if you handle on your own. A few hundred dollars sounds cheap if you ask me. A few thousand???----call the insurance company!!!

Good luck.

Answer 4

"You can talk to your agent and determine what the best route would be. Just because you talk to your agent does not mean your rates will go up"

But it might. They can raise your rates even for talking to them about a "hypothetical" question. You could even say "suppose I had driven off with the nozzle still attached" and they could raise your rate.
If the station is offering to let you pay w/o contacting your insurance, I'd pay them, but I'd definitely keep a record of the payment in case they still go to your insurance and try to get more money from them.

Answer 5

I've seen it happen too many times. just be honest with the facility and take care of the bill. that little hose that is designed to brake away in an event such as this is really not cheap, nor is the safety valve that is supposed to shut off the fuel in this event.
just amke sure you actualy se some kind of paperwork about the incident and keep a copy.

Answer 6

You are responsible. Be thankful they did not want you to pay for clean up from any spillage.

Answer 7

One word, Electric Boogaloo!

Answer 8

yep...you are liable...it's a mistake, but still it's your fault.
You also might want to make sure your gas tank and door on your car aren't damaged too...

Answer 9

pay it fast !!!!! he is giving you one ..........of a deal !!! and yes you do have to pay it. very fortunate for you that he did not have a police report filed......pay now and fast before he changes his mind !!!! /