car crash photo
Getting in a car crash is getting more expensive, if you get in an accident in Fallbrook, Bonsall, or Rainbow.
"It's going to be anywhere from $440 to $2100 depending on the severity of the incident," says John Buchanan of North County Fire.
They're calling it a crash tax. That means if you get in an accident and you're at fault, your insurance company will get slapped with a bill paying for services if North County Fire crews respond.
Buchanan says the fee will help make ends meet because North County Fire has lost more than $400,000 in the last 6 months due to budget cuts. He hopes the so-called crash tax will bring in more than $140,000, but that's money some say should not come out of their pocket.
"Part of what we pay taxes for is for the firemen and policemen," says Fallbrook resident, Keri Cook.
Depending on the severity of the accident, you'll pay anywhere between $400-$2100, but if you don't have insurance, you'll probably lose your car.
"CHP or the law authorities are allowed to impound people's cars if they dont have insurance because we're all supposed to have insurance," says Buchanan.
Peter Griffith of C. Lee Williams Insurance says the fee is a sign of down time.
"I don't think it's a good idea when customers get billed when they haven't been billed in the past, but I foresee it's going to become more of a pattern as our state and local municipalities go through this really tough time," says Griffith.
It starts later this month.
"It's going to be anywhere from $440 to $2100 depending on the severity of the incident," says John Buchanan of North County Fire.
They're calling it a crash tax. That means if you get in an accident and you're at fault, your insurance company will get slapped with a bill paying for services if North County Fire crews respond.
Buchanan says the fee will help make ends meet because North County Fire has lost more than $400,000 in the last 6 months due to budget cuts. He hopes the so-called crash tax will bring in more than $140,000, but that's money some say should not come out of their pocket.
"Part of what we pay taxes for is for the firemen and policemen," says Fallbrook resident, Keri Cook.
Depending on the severity of the accident, you'll pay anywhere between $400-$2100, but if you don't have insurance, you'll probably lose your car.
"CHP or the law authorities are allowed to impound people's cars if they dont have insurance because we're all supposed to have insurance," says Buchanan.
Peter Griffith of C. Lee Williams Insurance says the fee is a sign of down time.
"I don't think it's a good idea when customers get billed when they haven't been billed in the past, but I foresee it's going to become more of a pattern as our state and local municipalities go through this really tough time," says Griffith.
It starts later this month.
