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by Tom_Sussi from Lake Mary, FL

Last Post 9 days, 14 hours Ago


COPS BILLING FOR CAR WRECKS!
May 27, 2008 | 1:26 PM
Category: News
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That's what I said.

And it's happening right here in Central Florida. Places like Winter Park, Ocala and Longwood.

Let me explain.

If you're in a non-injury car accident; you're at fault and you're not a resident of that city where it occurred, your insurance company is billed for the cop who showed up to take a report. In Ocala, I'm told the average bill is between $200-$300 bucks.

What's happening, though, is insurance companies are refusing to pay the bill, and the policyholder is getting stuck with the tab.

I'm actually reporting on this topic tonight on FOX 35 News at 5.

Is is fair?

Your thoughts.

21 Comments |  Add a Comment

Member Comments Total Comments: 21
Page 1 of 1
Jumpy983 read my blog view my photos
May 27, 2008 | 2:02 PM

What's the point of having police or insurance then?

I pay STATE taxes so that when I'm driving through the STATE and need help it will be there! I pay my county taxes so when people need help in my county...IT WILL BE THERE!

I pay insurance so that when I need it...it will be there!

What a novel concept.

I hope the people of Winter Park, Ocala and Longwood are getting a tax break because of their elected morons.
athibode
May 27, 2008 | 3:04 PM

We are already paying them with our tax dollars, why are we paying twice?
Tom_Sussi read my blog view my photos
May 27, 2008 | 3:09 PM

Their point is this: If you don't live there and pay taxes, why should you get free police services.
pattiep read my blog view my photos
May 27, 2008 | 3:24 PM

That's the problem Tom, we aint the UNITED STATES so how can we be UNITED NEIGHBORS. Why don't we get to vote on this kind of stupidity....?? They keep finding more ways to get into our pockets and leaving us high and dry.
I hope the people from Winter Park go to Longwood and visa-versa. Gee, I sure hope THEY don't have an accident. Let them get a cramp in their pocket.
dks75 read my blog
May 27, 2008 | 3:42 PM

I don't really have a problem with the fee's for accidents. However I think they should be for everyone or not at all. Who wants tourism dollars in CF anyways.
BornToBeWild read my blog view my photos
May 27, 2008 | 4:05 PM

NO IT ISN'T FAIR! Our taxes pays their paycheck to do their duties as officers and that includes reports of any and all auto accidents for insurance purposes! The taxes aren't just paid by state locals but by everyone from in or out of state! This had to of been someone's idea of making as much money as they can taking advantage of out-of-towners! So who is really getting that piece of action?
BornToBeWild read my blog view my photos
May 27, 2008 | 4:08 PM

If this is the excuses they use then forget all the reasons for anyone to even come to this state and just say SCREW U - YOUR FIRED!
ADeltonian read my blog view my photos
May 27, 2008 | 4:42 PM

I think its great that they are doing this. I think they should charge even more though. Also if your driving down the road and they recognize you are not a local, they should also give you a non-local tax fee too.

WOW dont you just love sarcasm?lol

Sarcasm is the only way to describe how analretentive this idiotic and stupid law and who ever thought of it should be taken out to the cow field dressed up as a dog too.
YBSRobin read my blog
May 27, 2008 | 7:01 PM

Watch the insurance companies start making more money by adding this as a separate policy. And it wouldn't be surprising to see the insurance companies do the same for the firefighters that may come to your house as well. So the original policy you thought would cover it, will have an addendum to it with two rate increases for (police and fire), then the taxes increase because, well we thought that's what we pay taxes for, but somehow all of sudden, that service was never included by the people who put the original budget together, so now we will have to pay extra taxes and extra on the insurance policies. Watch out, if we should bend over in public, no doubt we will have to pay extra for that too!
SpecialEd read my blog view my photos
May 27, 2008 | 7:22 PM

Ok fair is fair if anyone from Ocala who gets into an accident outside of Ocala then I guess they need to be charged for the report.
BornToBeWild read my blog view my photos
May 27, 2008 | 8:39 PM

So why not just request for a county or state trooper?
Tom_Sussi read my blog view my photos
May 27, 2008 | 8:53 PM

In a no-fault state, where no one gets hurt, you don't have to call the cops. Just exchange insurance information. Cops only have to investigate accidents that result in serious injury or criminal not civil.
ChipsAhoy
May 27, 2008 | 9:42 PM

Born you can't request for a different agency if it's in someone else's jurisdiction, I tried lol. OPD is not my friend but besides that, maybe people will stop driving like morons and maybe the locals should start practicing courtesy for fellow drivers. It's ridiculous the way people here drive (ORL) actually it's horrible. Breathe people being late is usually not the end of the world.

AND USE YOUR DANG TURN SIGNAL!
candyaquino read my blog view my photos
May 27, 2008 | 9:49 PM

i dont understand this state I really don't. i think this is so absurd...THAT'S WHY PEOPLE CARRY INSURANCE am I missing something here. is it not the duty of the officers/fire dept in an event such as this...i find this very frivolous..sorry that's my two cents..sorry about the typing i am using a laptop miss my keyboard hahahahahah
sipedo read my blog view my photos
May 27, 2008 | 10:20 PM

It is not fair, and it is unenforceable. Municipalities are not within their rights to do this. The same is true for other emergency services, I expect this to be challenged in court, especially in situations where the out of towner is not at fault. I would refuse to pay any such "bill".
ADeltonian read my blog view my photos
May 27, 2008 | 10:23 PM

But Tom, most the people in the accidents never call the cops, its all those nosey rubber neckers who call in droves to report an accident thinking they will get a cookie or something for being the good samaritian of something.
didaskalos read my blog
May 27, 2008 | 10:28 PM

Ouch, that accident is causing me a migrain headache (of the serious and dibilating nature) at the very thought of having to pay the police to file a report. I guess with that declaration I am exempt from their confiscatory policy ... I'm feeling better already. Help us Obi-Sussinator, your our only hope.
Sageman read my blog
May 27, 2008 | 10:59 PM

ADeltonian I think you've confused being a good Samaritan with being nosey. I report what I see on the road all the time not for being nosey or for expecting a cookie. I do it because it's the right thing to do, I will always stop and make sure people are all right as well.

As for charging the person at fault, thats absurd and I am amazed that this is on the books. How has no one caught on to this before?

Great job Tom. You always manage to get those stories that slip through the cracks.
BornToBeWild read my blog view my photos
May 28, 2008 | 10:48 AM

Even Marilyn "The People's Court" strongly suggests getting a police report even for civil auto accidents...and she the judge! So this is a contradiction in terms and description which makes it unjustified. So this becomes a twisted ordeal between doing the right thing which could become the wrong thing! It's enough to be confusing for people!
DaytonaFrank read my blog view my photos
May 28, 2008 | 7:26 PM

Well, I read in the paper where they just passed this law in Deland.
The reasoning behind it is that so many of these accidents and other calls are for people that are from out of town, and it is unfair for the taxpayers there to have to foot the bill for that.

I think if I lived in Deland, I would have to agree.
sipedo read my blog view my photos
May 29, 2008 | 10:13 PM

It's Discrimination! Territorial Discrimination!

IT's always good to get a police report if you want your insurance to cover it, BUT, you might get a ticket with it too.
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Tom_Sussi

Tom grew up in Flint, Michigan and has worked in radio, newspaper and television. A graduate of Michigan State University; Tom has worked in Lansing, Flint, Detroit, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. In his television career, he’s won numerous awards including an Emmy and Reporter of the Year honors. At WOFL, Tom is the Consumer Investigator. Simply put, Tom has headed south to do what he does best and what he loves most. He’s here to stick up for the little guy. Expect to see Tom hold rip-off artists accountable; help solve your consumer problems; and investigate government spending. So, do you need help? Send Tom an email if you have a question or a problem! His address is askfox@foxwofl.com.

Member Since: 2/19/2007


 

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