State Farm sues Tesla for fire damaged home

[LDM]

https://www.week.com/2022/03/03/state-farm-sues-tesla-electrical-car-fire-that-damaged-indiana-home/

I knew it would happen eventually with all the fire related items we have seen in regard to Telsa. State Farm is probably the first but I'm sure it won't be the last. I wonder if we will see something similar with other electric vehicle producers, although given Tesla's extremely poor quality, maybe not.

 

[wpod]

The electric cars are still new tech. The batteries are probably what is the cause of the fires .

 

[JeffKeryk]

Elon should just buy them and put them outta business.

 

[Barkleymut]

anyone can sue...the question is can you win in court.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Not uncommon apparently.

https://casetext.com/case/state-farm-mutual-automobile-ins-v-bmw-of-north-am

 

[The Critic]

Their C&O inspector and legal counsel felt they had a case...

 

[97prizm]

I hope Tesla gets raked over the coals. If the nhsta were smart they'd have issued a full stop sale years ago.

 

[mrsilv04]

State Farm is trying it out... and why not. Just see what happens.

 

[vw7674]

anyone can sue...the question is can you win in court.

I get the feeling State Farm has deep enough pockets to see this litigation through.
I also believe they will use the judgement dealing with other car fire damaged structures covered by their policies..........

 

[Boomer]

If they lose, they may start putting exclusions in home owners policy that would deny payment or replacement for any house suffering damage resulting from an electric vehicle causing damage to the property. That would SLOW or STOP the sale of electric vehicles in a hurry!

 

[thastinger]

I believe it is now code to have a double layer of "fire proof material" between the garage and living space. That material is just drywall with the fire stamp on it but none of that code has been updated to consider the inferno that a lithium battery fire becomes...hot enough to melt concrete and asphalt.

 

[thastinger]

If they lose, they may start putting exclusions in home owners policy that would deny payment or replacement for any house suffering damage resulting from an electric vehicle causing damage to the property. That would SLOW or STOP the sale of electric vehicles in a hurry!

What about the Tesla or Generac power walls, same battery packs as the cars have

 

[simple_gifts]

Elon should just buy them and put them outta business.

Except State Farm is a mutual insurance company. It is an interesting exercise to explore how that would be done.

 

[Boomer]

If there are a large number of home fires directly related to lithium batteries, you can bet the insurance companies will react. Riders that eliminate coverage, enormous premium charges when you buy an electric car or power wall, etc. Think what you would do if you owned an insurance company and suddenly claims like this started coming in and your money started going out!

 

[Gimpy1]

Big deal. Happend to Ford with the faulty cruise control module in the Explorer. In fact I worked with a claims supervisor whos house was completely destroyed by a fire when her husbands company car (Insurance company car btw) caught on fire did that make the news, no. Stop saying that Teslas have a higher fire risk, statistically they don't. Isurance compaies will not raise rates or not cover the vehicle unless the ISO symbol changes in value. They didn't do it for Toyotas with the faulty acceleration, or Kia/Hyundai fuel hoses, or Ford issues with the cruise control module that affected millions of vehicle through out several years. This is pure anti EV hyteria.

 

[PimTac]

I wonder if insurance premiums are higher with Tesla vehicles versus other makes?

 

[Blinker]

I’ve been wondering when this will happen.

I’m also wondering when insurance companies will sue car manufacturers when a self driving vehicle causes an accident.

IMO I think insurance companies will be the biggest influencers when it comes to upcoming technology in the auto industry.

 

[fsdork]

I hope Tesla gets raked over the coals. If the nhsta were smart they'd have issued a full stop sale years ago.

https://www.consumerreports.org/vid...712119798001/dodge-neon-crash-test-2000-2005/

 

[Cujet]

I hope Tesla gets raked over the coals. If the nhsta were smart they'd have issued a full stop sale years ago.

Tesla is a classic American success story. I wish them all the best and I would love to own one.

97, I am a petrol-head. I absolutely LOVE fuel burning engines, and I make NO claims that EV's can match what an engine can do. They can't, not even close. Nor do I believe that today's lithium batteries are 100% safe.

Imagine a battery fire on an Electric Airplane??? No thank you. Despite the stunning disadvantage of 15-30 minutes of range, EV airplanes are, at this point, just a money grab.

However, Tesla makes a few cars that just turn my crank. Especially the "pre plaid" dual motor Model S performance which in my mind is a stunning car to drive. No downshifting, no delays, flat cornering, hard accelerating to the point where it will beat anything else on the road. That's fun, I don't need engine noise to enjoy a powerful, responsive car.

 

[PandaBear]

anyone can sue...the question is can you win in court.

Most of the lawsuits are settled, due to legal costs to both sides.