Vehicle Recovery on Peltier 1-22

[dougger222]

Got the call this afternoon from my wifes step dad, his truck went through. Asking for help couldn't say no. Luckily the truck didn't go all the way through and my cousin helped, this project required a 6ft 5in 280lber. Nobody got hurt, and the Sheriff put the thin ice signs after his truck went in. Yes, it appears the truck was driven into a heave/pressure ridge.

Here are some pics. The Sheriff gave him 2 days to get it out and it took us about an hour to get it back to shore.

We drilled two holes close together ran a log chain through it and a comealong. Had to chizzel out the front end about a foot.

[jmd1]

is it going to run or did it toast the motor?

[Archerysniper]

Is that right off the point in front of the access?

[polarsusd81]

Yep, that is right off the point, where the ridge always forms and the current sweeps under it. Not a good spot to drive a truck, especially with the conditions we have had this year. That was the last area other than the culvert to freeze up this year.

[randallt]

Glad you got it off.

[dougger222]

He had the truck towed from the access last night to his mechanics shop. The idea was to get it in a heated shop asap.

When it went in it was running and he was able to use the power windows to roll down the window. He jumped out of the truck and went down to his waste in water. He then had to pull his dog out. Luckily a guy fishing not far from him pulled him out of the hole. The same guy tried to pull the truck out but it got more in the hole. The odd thing was the motor was still running and it was in reverse when we started the recovery process.

Once back on shore he tried to turn the key over and everything was dead.

More than likely the truck will be an insurance loss. One fender got smashed, the front bumper got a dent and some undercarriage parts looked to be broken. There was a lot of water in the cab...

The family is happy he's ok and not really worrying about the pick up. It's got full coverage with progressive so we'll see how they take to a truck that got a little wet!

[Jim Uran]

Thank God he is ok though!

[ProgoHero]

Glad to hear he is good and the dog! Keep us posted on the lost with progressive. I'm curious to what extend they will pay. Might take mine for a dive too just for fun j/k

[cavalierowner]

I would be interested in hearing what the insurance company says too. I was told by my insurance company (State Farm) many years ago that you are not covered for anything once you drive onto the lake.

[rbs]

I was told by my state farm agent that my truck was covered...also the recovery

[dougger222]

Progressive has decided to cover the truck as a total loss. They are looking into a value.

[JFan02]

I was told by my state farm agent that my truck was covered...also the recovery

Interesting, by your agent stating that he bound the company to that whether the policy says it or not. He must be very sure of himself.

[NCLaker]

... I was told by my state farm agent that my truck was covered...also the recovery

Interesting, by your agent stating that he bound the company to that whether the policy says it or not. He must be very sure of himself.

I wouldn't count on this being correct. I had my agents office tell me the wrong advice, per the claims adjuster I was working with - stated the only think that matters is what is written in the policy/coverage regardless of what my Agents office stated. This was State Farm. I personally feel if the agent says something then the company should stand behind it regardless of what is iwritten in the policy.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

99% of the time, if it isn't in writing, it doesn't exist. There is no such thing as a verbal contract, and a verbal statement generally will be trumped by a written agreement.

[Hardyboy]

From what i understand thru a friend that is an agent that any vehicle is covered regardless if it on ice or land. state law requires it. they may not want you to know it but they HAVE to cover your vehicle.

[Slabasaurus]

Interesting, by your agent stating that he bound the company to that whether the policy says it or not. He must be very sure of himself.

Your agent could tell you whatever, you're bound to your policy, not anything the agent says is legally binding.

[Slabasaurus]

Progressive has decided to cover the truck as a total loss. They are looking into a value.

If Progressive didn't cover it I'd sue em. The only way they could really deny it is if it was an intentional act (not driving on the lake, but driving through the ice itself). I used to work at that company handling claims back in the day, I know we covered this kinda thing back then.

Also a side note, if there's water damage to the car, 99% it's going to be totaled out since the cost of cleaning out all the water, making sure there's no mold issues, that costs a lot.

[dougger222]

A vehicle going into a lake is better than what happened to a customers car a few years back.

As said by our mutual insurance agent, "Last night my neighbors got drunk and they decided to cut a tree down and it landed on my Ferrari". They knocked on his door at 4am and told him what happened!!!

It was covered...

[Hammy]

Its called "binding authority." if your agent tells you you are covered, you are covered. It may become difficult to prove in a tight spot but agents are trained to be very careful using those magic words "you are covered." it is a consumer protection measure and every licensed agent is bound by it.

[CrewJones]

I have allstate and my agent in coon rapids insured my car and fish house both would be covered if they went in and the haul out is covered as well