Credit: rh2010/Adpbe Stock
Contaminated gas pumped from more than a dozen Colorado gas stations will require costly repairs for hundreds of drivers.
On Jan. 7 and Jan. 8, drivers who stopped at several King Soopers, Costco and other gas stations in the Denver metro area pumped unleaded gas that had been unknowingly contaminated with diesel fuel. All the fuel had been delivered by the same third-party provider, Sinclair.
Gas station owners shut down the pumps once the mistake was discovered, but drivers who received the bad gas will need to have their vehicles repaired. One driver who pumped the contaminated fuel told CBS News that she was quoted repairs of more than $3,000.
The state of Colorado says it has already received more than 200 complaints about fuel contamination.
“If something happens that causes you to incur property damage, which is what we're talking about here, then that could potentially be covered by the policy, because it was something external that caused the damage to the car. The same as if your car would have got hailed on,” he said.
Drivers who are told they aren’t covered can request to have their policy reviewed by an insurance adjuster to make sure, he said.
If the damage isn’t covered, drivers should try to document the damage as much as possible, including proof of their fuel purchase and any repairs required, as it could come in handy with the insurance company later or if a lawsuit is filed.
Photo credit: rh2010/Adobe Stock
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