An out-of-control SUV that struck a residential structure knocked a classic C3 Corvette and a vintage Chevrolet Nova from a garage lift where they were being worked on, in an incident that represents the kind of nightmare scenario for classic car restorers that is almost too painful to contemplate. The SUV’s impact with the structure created forces that the lift was not designed to resist, causing both vehicles to fall from their elevated positions and sustain damage from the fall in addition to any direct impact damage. The owner, who had invested significant time and money in both restorations, was not in the garage at the time of the impact.
The liability questions arising from incidents where errant vehicles cause damage to property inside residential structures are complex and typically involve multiple insurance policies, including the at-fault driver’s auto liability coverage and potentially the homeowner’s property insurance. For classic and restored vehicles, establishing the true value for insurance purposes is more complicated than for standard production cars, requiring documentation of restoration costs, parts values, and comparable sales to support an appropriate settlement. The owner faces a difficult road to fully recovering from the loss.
Comments are closed.