Are there any insurance investigators who can tell if an accident has been caused by an Act of God, sabotage, ineptness or Y2k? If something happens because a gas line fractures I assume that the utility could be sued for damages - or maybe the insurance would just cover it?

If an accident was caused by a computerised valve not releasing pressure when necessary, how can an investigator prove that. It is in the interest of the insurance company to find that truth so they don't have to pay out...and fight the lawyers all the way to the bank.

How long will an investigation of this type take and how long before we hear results of whether the insurance claim was paid out or not. If it was Y2k related it would not be paid (according to most insurance company literature) and the company which "owned" the accident may be in big financial trouble.

Is there any way to track insurance claims - any "spies" out there?

-- Laurane (familyties@rttinc.com), January 14, 2000

Answers

Here's a statistic that I find frightening. In 1996, 66% (that's over half, folks) of all fatal auto accidents in Kansas were committed by completely sober drivers.

-- Etta James (ej@umkc.edu), January 14, 2000.

You have posed a good question. I can tell you that ivestigations are very time consuming and they require a lot of patience. It will depend on each circumstance and then I expect the litigation to go on for a very long time...probably years. It also depends on the competence of the investigator/s and which side of the fence they are on, if any.

I would expect it to be a very slow process. Also depends on whether or not a case could potentially turn into a criminal investigation if personal injury is involved. It will be interesting to follow some of these incidents to see how they play out. Will also be interesting to follow the class actions which will indeed surface. I have more theories on this, but I'm not prepared to put them in writing at this time. Stay tuned next week... LOL =)

-- Dee (T1Colt556@aol.com), January 14, 2000.

Laurane, I think it could get very complicated (and time consuming). The Y2K Act adopted last July allowed for a 90-day grace period for y2k-related problems, during which time the company can attempt to correct the problem before the injured party may file the lawsuit. This assumes somehow that it is agreed (or undisputed) that it is a y2k problem. It may or may not be to the company's benefit to try to invoke the liability limitations of the Y2K Act. I think there are all sorts of ways that these things could drag out.

-- Brooks (brooksbie@hotmail.com), January 14, 2000.

Interesting question, with major long term ramifications.

For the immediate future (this year) it doesn't matter, since this view is only concerned with the infrastructure. So, if enough gas pipelines or oil refineries or chemical plants hold up to maintain that infrastructure it isn't a problem (unless you don't like paying high gas prices (grin)).

But, it sure does become a problem when you consider the financial survival of the companies involved, doesn't it?

That's why Y2K will go on a long time. Companies that are unable to collect on insurance may not go bankrupt until the case is settled in court, years from now. Can you say "ripple?"

-- (4@5.6), January 14, 2000.

456

I concur.

-- Dee (T1Colt556@aol.com), January 14, 2000.

--I think the answer is 99% probably NEVER, and 1% "maybe someday, years down the road". Obfuscation is an artform in organizations, with millions and millions of dollars to develop this art form. The "Truth" is now an archaic concept, it has no place in a society that values expensive cars and homes over peoples grief and justice. sad but true, it appears.

-- zog (zzoggy@yahoo.com), January 14, 2000.