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Originally posted by JALLEN:

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Originally posted by tatortodd:
.... Your insurance company is likely to hang you out to dry since your act is negligent. Once again, when you lose you'll be on the hook for your attorney and station's attorney fees.

Here is what I recommend and do - stand next to vehicle while pumping your gas and drive over to a parking spot to use the c-store. That way you're not inconveniencing someone by blocking a pump and you aren't taking unnecessary risks.

Insurance only covers damages resulting from negligent acts, not intentional conduct.

If you collide with a car intentionally, no coverage. Carelessly, negligently, without due care, you are covered.

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Originally posted by Gustofer:

Regarding the practice of unattended pumping. I do this all the time, and many around here do...for which I'm thankful. Few things piss me off more than some idiot who stands there, fills up, returns the nozzle, and then proceeds to walk into the store to shop, leaving his vehicle blocking the pumps. Do one while you're doing the other so you don't hold people up at the pump.

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Originally posted by a1abdj:
For the last 5 years or so, I have put gas into my work truck at least once a day, sometimes twice. In all of these times I have never experienced, nor witnessed a gas spill due to a pump not shutting off.

I have also never witnessed a fire due to somebody speaking on the mobile phone, failing to shut off their vehicle prior to fueling, or any other danger we are often warned against.

I'm sure most of this is simply to cover the ass of the station should something happen, but I don't believe these occurrences are anywhere near the risk level we are led to believe.

I have also never witnessed somebody stealing gas from an unattended fueling. Suppose there's a first for everything.

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Originally posted by 46and2:
There was a theft in progress, why not just dial 911 and give them the plate number and description and let them handle the rest?

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Originally posted by Balzé Halzé:

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Originally posted by 46and2:
There was a theft in progress, why not just dial 911 and give them the plate number and description and let them handle the rest?

You and I both know that that would just be a giant waste of your time.

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Originally posted by tatortodd:
Here is what I recommend and do - stand next to vehicle while pumping your gas and drive over to a parking spot to use the c-store. That way you're not inconveniencing someone by blocking a pump and you aren't taking unnecessary risks.

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Originally posted by 46and2:
I despise thieves.

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Originally posted by Gustofer:
Escalade owner handled it wrong. He should have been thankful and took the info to the cops.

Kids, obviously, should not have been ripping off gas.

You did what I'd have done. Get the info and not get involved over a few gallons of gas.

Regarding the practice of unattended pumping. I do this all the time, and many around here do...for which I'm thankful. Few things piss me off more than some idiot who stands there, fills up, returns the nozzle, and then proceeds to walk into the store to shop, leaving his vehicle blocking the pumps. Do one while you're doing the other so you don't hold people up at the pump.

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Originally posted by tatortodd:

quote:

Originally posted by a1abdj:
For the last 5 years or so, I have put gas into my work truck at least once a day, sometimes twice. In all of these times I have never experienced, nor witnessed a gas spill due to a pump not shutting off.

I have also never witnessed a fire due to somebody speaking on the mobile phone, failing to shut off their vehicle prior to fueling, or any other danger we are often warned against.

I'm sure most of this is simply to cover the ass of the station should something happen, but I don't believe these occurrences are anywhere near the risk level we are led to believe.

I have also never witnessed somebody stealing gas from an unattended fueling. Suppose there's a first for everything.

I've actually had the autoshutoff fail on me, but I was standing right there so I intervened while the spill was miniscule.

As far as the other items you list, they are highly dependent on environmental factors, and your sample size (i.e. your experience is too small). Plenty of CCTV videos on YouTube of each of the incidents you mentioned.

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Originally posted by 46and2:

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Originally posted by Balzé Halzé:

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Originally posted by 46and2:
There was a theft in progress, why not just dial 911 and give them the plate number and description and let them handle the rest?

You and I both know that that would just be a giant waste of your time.

I dunno. Perhaps there was a unit already nearby, or not, but why not try... would it really have taken materially longer than the course of action he chose? What, two minutes more? Five? He had a vehicle description, plate number, likely direction of travel once they left, of a crime in progress, and - had the call happened soon enough - they may have been some time gained while the knuckleheads finished stealing the gas.

No real criticism of the OP, mind you, just a thought...

I think I would have called.

ymmv

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My alternative view...

If I was up for a bit of fun, I would have wandered into the store and told the Escalade owner some kids are using his pump to fill their car. Then sat back to watch the show. His choice - handle it or call the police.