Why a damaged road sign may be delaying this Florida man's car insurance payout months after a crash

When Bryan Schoonover was deed by an alleged drunk operator connected a Pasco County, Florida, roadworthy successful October, helium assumed the security process would beryllium straightforward, particularly aft receiving assurances from the different driver’s security company.

“They acknowledged that helium was astatine responsibility and they would settee the claim,” Schoonover told Tampa Bay 28 successful a communicative published Jan. 26 (1). “Early November, I was told Thanksgiving was astir the country and conscionable beryllium patient.

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Months later, helium was inactive waiting for an security payout — and the holdup whitethorn stem from thing arsenic mundane arsenic a damaged roadworthy sign.

It’s a hold that highlights however adjacent seemingly clear-cut cases tin permission victims stuck successful fiscal limbo.

Schoonover was driving connected a region roadworthy erstwhile different car chopped successful beforehand of him and slammed connected the brakes, according to a constabulary study obtained by Tampa Bay 28.

“I deed him instantly — I didn’t person clip to react,” helium said. “I tore 2 muscles successful my neck, broke my chemoreceptor and got a bully scar connected my arm.”

The different operator was charged with driving nether the influence, per the section broadcaster. Schoonover’s motortruck was totaled successful the crash, and seemingly a one-way roadworthy motion was besides damaged. Schoonover present believes the different driver’s insurer has utilized the since-fixed motion arsenic an excuse to stall the claims process due to the fact that Pasco County has yet to nonstop its ain measure for damages.

“They assertion they’re not capable to scope anybody oregon get immoderate benignant of response, and their stance is they person 2 years to settee this,” helium said. “So, I’m enactment connected clasp until then.”

It’s unclear wherefore the insurer declared it had a two-year window. Tampa Bay 28 says it reached retired to Pasco County but didn't person a response. Ocean Harbor Casualty Insurance Co., the insurer with the unfastened claim, besides wouldn't reply questions.

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Schoonover says the different operator lone has the Florida-minimum $10,000 spot harm coverage. Insurance minimums alteration from authorities to state, with galore requiring betwixt $25,000 to $50,000 successful sum for spot and idiosyncratic wounded coverage. Low minimums tin permission victims undercompensated, particularly arsenic conveyance prices and repair costs climb.