Expert: Bennie719 - 12/20/2007

Question
My finance recently started driving commercial truck for a company that owns their own vehicles. The truck is large, but does not require a CDL. About a week ago, he got lost and ended up on a small road that had a bridge over it. Seeing the bridge, he stopped and attempted to turn around (suspecting the truck would not fit under the bridge) but could not do so because there were several cars behind him that would not let him back up. Since he wasn't sure if he could fit or not, he let his foot off the gas pedal and the truck's refrigeration unit - mounted on top of the truck - hit the bridge. My fiance then stopped and the cars behind him moved because they realized he couldn't fit under the bridge and he was able to turn around. When he got back to the warehouse, the owner told him not to worry about it because their insurance would cover it. A few days later he was called into the office where the secretary tried to get him to sign a document stating he would pay for the damages to truck, but he refused. Today he got a call from someone in their office saying he is responsible for a $750 deductible and they will be taking it off his check in monthly installments. Since he never signed anything, can they still withhold the deductible from him? We have auto insurance with a $500 deductible - could he claim it to our insurance instead? What is the best option?

Answer
Hi Janelle,
Sorry, but your personal policy does not follow your fiancee to a commercial vehicle.
He needs to have his employer show him just what regulation in his employment contract requires him to pay the deductible.
Hope this is of help.
Your feedback by rating my answer will be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Bennie
San Francisco Bay Area 12-20-07 3:29 PM PST