Flat towing now have a blown motor after found in gear

[rcmcintosh]

I flat tow a 2013 Fiat Abarth with my class A motorhome. The last trip we experienced a noise inside the motorhome and we stopped. I found the Fiat was in 1st gear while it was being towed. The motor is now blown due to being in 1st gear at 50mph. The insurance company said that the engine damage could only be caused by the engine being on and denied the claim. Anyone have a similar issue with towing and insurance ? 

My checklist requires me to put car in neutral and parking brake off for connection, which i did.

 

 

[erniee]

I had a Ford Flex. Somehow, it got in gear and burned up the transmission. Didn’t even mess with any insurance claim. Cost more to fix than what the car was worth. Sold it 

[rcmcintosh]

Thanks erinee, the repair cost do exceed the car value on mine too. The insurance company is saying that the engine damage can only be caused by the engine being on (running).

[wildebill308]

Have you called and talked to a supervisor?

Bill

[rcmcintosh]

wildebill308 I talked to a manager and he said that he would take another look it the claim. I received a call from the same claim agent repeating herself stating that the damage could only be caused by the engine running. I called mgr again this morning and awaiting his return call. It appears to me that the insurance auto damage specialist that looked at the car lacks the an understanding of how the engine turns the wheels and the wheels turn the engine. Any advice ?

[wildebill308]

I think the problem is they have never driven a standard shift car. They don't know how a standard clutch will lock the engine and wheels together so if the wheels turn so does the engine. Most auto transmissions will let the wheels turn if not in park. 

Bill