RV fire, propane and Tunnel - he got off lucky

rgatijnet1 wrote:
Apparently the RV was pulling a trailer with the large propane tanks. They are talking about the fines for the extra propane but it seems to be different from the engine fire that caused the tunnel damage. For that damage, the locals want to get reimbursed by the driver and his insurance company. For the propane, that is a separate issue and he will be fined and get some points on his license. Tunnel fire

Ding, ding, ding.......winner of reading and comprehension award

CarnationSailor wrote:
I never have understood the statements on the forums where posters say an insurance company can deny a claim if you do something illegal. If I speed or run thru a stop light (which is illegal) resulting in an accident, is my insurance company going to deny the claim? I don't think so.

I agree with a previous post that says that is why we have insurance.

You folks might want to check your policy. This is directly from mine (A major company,) listed when coverage is denied:

Exclusions
These coverages do not apply to liability for:

Bodily injury or property damage caused by the: intentional
acts; criminal acts, other than traffic violations; or
omissions; of an insured person, or done at the direction of
an insured person, which are designed to produce loss or
damage.

If too much propane in a tunnel is "criminal" is up to prosecutors office as to what charges are filed.

I never have understood the statements on the forums where posters say an insurance company can deny a claim if you do something illegal. If I speed or run thru a stop light (which is illegal) resulting in an accident, is my insurance company going to deny the claim? I don't think so.

I agree with a previous post that says that is why we have insurance.

Apparently the RV was pulling a trailer with the large propane tanks. They are talking about the fines for the extra propane but it seems to be different from the engine fire that caused the tunnel damage. For that damage, the locals want to get reimbursed by the driver and his insurance company. For the propane, that is a separate issue and he will be fined and get some points on his license. Tunnel fire

Yes, I too would like to know how they figured he had a full propane tank. If they seen it was full after the fire, then this whole part about having the full tank in the tunnel is just a scare headline for the news!

Interesting...the article brings up some interesting points.

According to the article one can have TWO 46 litre tanks of propane and the perp had 216 litres on board. If I remember my conversions correctly, this would be TWO 12 gallon tanks and the perp had just under 60. My coach has ONE 40 gallon (155 litres) propane tank. Assuming, of course my tank was full. That said, full is only 80%, plus or minus, capacity or 32 gals/124 liters. Still, I'd be over the legal limit unless my tank was almost empty. This then, would prohibit me from using that tunnel...is this correct?/:h.

Finally, of course the insurance company would be on the hook for the accident, that's why we carry it. Still, the propane "issue" had nothing to do with the fire and did not ignite or leak. Why then, is this a major deal? I understand the "potential" disaster that could have happened but we live with coulda, woulda, shoulda circumstances every day. Isn't this like saying you had an engine fire and while investigating the fire, you discovered the vehicle had a bald tire>?

Please, I'm only trying to start a discussion as to the legalities of tunnel driving. Most tunnels are on the East Coast and you guys that live there know what you can and can't do. Us westerners know how to drive over mountains but are clueless when it comes to tunnels. Given my description above, would I have to drain my LP tank or simply avoid the tunnel altogether? Thanks for any input....Dennis

The article said he and his insurance company have to pay.

Although he was committing an illegal act at the time (More propane than allowed in tunnel) that should give the insurance company a reason to decline the claim.

I avoid tunnels also. Did not like them in a car, and now hate them with a trailer in tow.

What rv packs 216 liters of propane?:h His insurance company would be on the hook for the damage to the tunnel unless he knew or ought to have known about a problem likely to cause the fire.

The fine for the propane is deserved. But according to the article, the propane did not cause the fire.

Why is the driver responsible for the damage that resulted from a mechanical malfunction? Is that the norm in Canada? It's not generally the case in the US.

Excuse my ignorance but why do you avoid tunnels and how do you know a tunnel is coming up?