Well, I think she's gone!

[SC986]

Sorry to hear about this! It sounds from your short time posting here you were really enjoying the Boxster. Hang in there!

[David N.]

Does insurance cover vehicle fires normally? I just wonder where does insurance end and mechanical breakdown begin? I mean if the engine just dies, that's not an insurance thing and aside from warranty yer screwed. But spontaneously catching fire while you are driving it...hmm.

Anyone know exactly what the ruling is on this sort of thing? What if the engine breaks down and that itself starts a fire?

-David N.

[Rodger]

Sorry to hear about your car, chgolatin2! What kind of work was being done to your car last week? I've always wondered if a spark plugu tube failure would cause a fire, since the oil could run right down onto the exhaust headers.

I think an engine failure (IMS breaking, etc.) is the owner's problem. If the car catches on fire, though, it should be covered under the comprehensive portion of the insurance. If it's not, then what the hell am I paying $990 every 6 months for?!!

<--- Hates insurance as a whole

[bnorman]

Originally Posted by David N.

Does insurance cover vehicle fires normally? I just wonder where does insurance end and mechanical breakdown begin? I mean if the engine just dies, that's not an insurance thing and aside from warranty yer screwed. But spontaneously catching fire while you are driving it...hmm.

Anyone know exactly what the ruling is on this sort of thing? What if the engine breaks down and that itself starts a fire?

-David N.

Your automobile insurer should pay to repair or replace your vehicle under your comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage pays for physical damage to the vehicle cause by anything except collission. This includes fire, flood, theft, vandalism, falling objects etc. It ecxludes damage resulting wear and tear and mechanical breakdown and a few other things like war and necular contamination. After market parts are usually excluded but your modifications should not not void coverage for the rest of the car in this case.

[r9i8c7k]

Tough break...I am sure your insurance will cover it. Get another one!!!!

[Uncle Bob]

Really sorry for your loss, man. I understand you have lots feelings watching what you worked so hard for go up (literally) in smoke. Glad you or anyone else wasn't injured. Please let us know what happens. Best of luck on sorting this all out and getting back on the highway again real soon in another Boxster!

[chgolatin2]

Wondering if I should tell the insurance that my car was being worked on 4 days prior to my engine catching on fire or talking directly to the mechanic and asking him for a refund for my repair bill plus my deductible for the insurance. Most like and accoding to most ppl that I talk to the car will be declared a total lost, most insurance companies dont want to deal with fire problems however i am not 100 percent sure.

So what do you guys think? Inform the insurance company directly or just talk to my indy shop directly and gently inform him of the options?

Lastly, talk to an attorney???

Thanks!

[CJ_Boxster]

It depends on what was done, usually your insurance will take care of you first, and bill the responsible party and you dont have to worry about weather they ever pay your insurance company back. If you were having repairs done, and not having aftermarket exhaust of intake.... just normal maintanence, I would definatly tell the insurance company.

[bnorman]

Originally Posted by chgolatin2

Wondering if I should tell the insurance that my car was being worked on 4 days prior to my engine catching on fire or talking directly to the mechanic and asking him for a refund for my repair bill plus my deductible for the insurance. Most like and accoding to most ppl that I talk to the car will be declared a total lost, most insurance companies dont want to deal with fire problems however i am not 100 percent sure.

So what do you guys think? Inform the insurance company directly or just talk to my indy shop directly and gently inform him of the options?

Lastly, talk to an attorney???

Thanks!

By all means tell your insurer. If they can prove that the fire was due to the negligence of the repair shop, they should attempt to recover from the shop's garage keepers liability insurer (including your deductible).
Since you will only be out your deductible at most, it will not likely be worth any lawyers time.