Be careful if you have to back into a gas station to change a pump! A very discreet safety device could do a lot of damage and cost you a lot of money if you’re not careful…
You’ve probably been in this situation before. You pull into a gas station, get out of your car, and head to the pump to fill up with fuel. Unfortunately, the pump isn’t working or isn’t dispensing the fuel you want. Naturally, you decide to back up and head to another pump. However, this fairly common situation can turn into a disaster if you’re not careful.
Indeed, for some time now, a special safety device has appeared in many service stations: anti-reverse harrows. Very discreet, these harrows can easily go unnoticed, but their impact can be disastrous for your vehicle. The principle is simple: the harrows allow you to move forward but block any attempt to reverse.
If you try to back up, the teeth snap up, causing your tires to immediately puncture. Increasingly common at gas stations, these harrows are safety devices designed to prevent fuel theft. The goal is to prevent malicious drivers from filling up their tanks and reversing away without paying.
However, these harrows can cause serious problems even for the most honest drivers. Indeed, if you inadvertently back up on a harrow, you risk puncturing your tires. In the best case scenario, it will be two tires, but often, it is all four that are damaged. Repairing or replacing four tires can cost several hundred euros, a significant sum for a simple legitimate maneuver.
It is therefore crucial to pay close attention to signs and signals at gas stations. These harrows must be clearly marked, but a distraction can easily occur, especially when you are in a hurry or preoccupied. So, before backing out, always make sure to check your surroundings and any safety devices in place.
In the event of a puncture due to an unmarked harrow, it is possible to take action against the service station for lack of adequate information. On the other hand, if the harrow is correctly marked, the responsibility lies entirely with the driver, and no compensation can be claimed from the service station.
Insurance is also a tricky situation. If you have third party insurance, your insurance will not cover any damage. With fully comprehensive insurance, you may be reimbursed for the cost of the tyres, after deducting the excess. So it is worth checking the details of your insurance cover and understanding the clauses regarding this type of damage.