Expert: Richard Hixenbaugh - 7/27/2010

Question
I was driving on the highway when all of a sudden I heard a very loud bang noise, I looked in front of me next to me in my mirrors and then behind me and notice that the guy behind who was previously riding my ass had smoke coming out of his car and was pulling over onto the median. I thought his tire had blown and my truck might have just got hit with some rubber. But I pulled over into the break down lane just to check. Turns out the bed liner to my truck ripped right off the bolts and flew off the bed of my truck. Am I now going to suffer a surcharge, even though my car passed inspection and had 6 bolts on it holding it down? I'm not even sure how it happened. :/

Answer
Hi Michelle,

As the owner of a vehicle it is your responsibility to be sure that all items on your vehicle are in good working order. You would need to ask your insurance company, but I would think this would be considered to be an at-fault event. This may or may not increase your rates. Only your insurance company can tell you for sure.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh