The rental store’s delivery driver had made his first stop of the day and was on his way to the next delivery. It was mid-morning, the sun was shining and the weather forecast looked great. Downtown traffic wasn’t very heavy because the early morning rush hour was over already. The driver looked over at the rental paperwork sitting on the passenger seat to double check the address of the next stop. As he looked over and down, he accidentally pulled the steering wheel to the right and … CRUNCH!

The full-sized delivery van had hit a parked car on the side of the street. The car was pushed up onto the sidewalk and knocked down a parking meter and came to rest up against a telephone pole. Luckily, the rental store’s driver was not injured in the accident. The police were called and a claim was turned in to the rental store’s insurance carrier.

The damage included $3,000 in repairs to the rental store van, with a $1,000 collision deductible. The parked car was a total loss and cost $6,000. The parking meter needed to be replaced and cost another $600. The telephone pole wasn’t damaged.

Remind drivers to avoid distractions while driving and to keep their eyes on the road. It only takes a second or two for an accident to happen.

This item, provided by ARA Insurance Services, Kansas City, Mo., is the story of a real-life insurance claim involving a rental store and is intended to help readers better understand and manage risk. For more safety and risk management information, customers of ARA Insurance Services can log on to ReSource. Access is free, so if you haven’t signed up yet, contact your agent or call 800-821-6580.