Towing & Insurance

BARNEY O · 11-01-2009, 10:41 AM

What position does the Insurance industry take on Smart cars towing trailers? Since the Operator manual specifically states," The manufacturer has not approved your vehicle for towing a trailer. A trailer can permanently impair driving safety." Page 105 in my 2009 manual. If the insurance industry knows this fact it would seem to me that they would probably steer clear of this or stick a rider to your policy basicly stating your ins. coverage is void while towing. Maybe this applies to 451's only or 2009's I don't know? Do we have any insurance specialist's out there or should people that tow with Smart's check with their personal carrier's?

Regard's, Barney O..... better to be safe than sorry

BigWarpGuy · 11-04-2009, 01:37 PM

I think that is a good question. I will ask my insurance company if it makes any difference. I will tell them that it is unlikely that I would tow anything but I wanted to know just in case I do.

BARNEY O · 11-05-2009, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigWarpGuy

I think that is a good question. I will ask my insurance company if it makes any difference. I will tell them that it is unlikely that I would tow anything but I wanted to know just in case I do.

I too contacted a couple of insurance companies to get an opinion.Not sure I got a solid answer but I was told it was kind of a gray area. I asked for more clarification and was told that many factors would apply (referring to nature of claim and type of accident). I showed them the statement made in the operator's manual, the response was the same.
"Why would you tow a trailer then?"
So you be the judge! Would highly recomend discussing towing with your personal carriers.

Regards, Barney O.

BigWarpGuy · 11-05-2009, 05:56 PM

Perhaps it would be like a motorcycle towing a trailer? Motorcycles were not really made to tow anything either. There are photos of the Mini Cooper towing a trailer. Is it some thing the manual says it can do?

BARNEY O · 11-05-2009, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigWarpGuy

Perhaps it would be like a motorcycle towing a trailer? Motorcycles were not really made to tow anything either. There are photos of the Mini Cooper towing a trailer. Is it some thing the manual says it can do?

Don't know never owned one. That logic could be the gray area the insurance industy is referring to.