96 replies to this topic

[Bombero]

Have you called the Fire Dept.? I think you could have had an answer by now. Something about this story isn't adding up and it's not always the "nefarious" government. Was alcohol involved?

[Robert Gary]

Have you called the Fire Dept.? I think you could have had an answer by now. Something about this story isn't adding up and it's not always the "nefarious" government. Was alcohol involved?

I did call the FD. However, they just referred me back to the billing company that does the collection. No bad stuff was involved, just a simple lack of driving experience that unfortunately resulted in an accident. No citations were issued. Cars were destroyed but people were fine. Only harm was dad's wallet.

-Robert

[MikeinFolsom]

Its hard to know since the bill just says 'pay $1700'. It doesn't give any indication of what its for or what triggers it. If I'm in a car accident and not hurt I'm going to tell the Folsom Fire guys that I don't want a bill so don't do what ever it is that causes you to bill me. Even if I am hurt a little bit I can usually get into my primary that day or the next at a fraction of the cost of Folsom Fire. As consumers shouldn't we be informed of the cost of the service before its rendered if possible? Maybe Folsom Fire can carry menus with prices.

-Robert

You only get billed if you are taken to the hospital. Line personnel don't get involved with $$$ issues, and for good reason. I don't know how much it costs. I care about your well-being, and that's it. If you refuse service, there isn't a bill. Call and ask for a break-down of your costs.

[Terry]

Submit the bill to your health insurance AND auto insurance company and let them figure out who pays what. Or call the billing company and give them your health inisurance and auto insurance company information for them to bill. And ask for a detail statement of the charges - they are required to provide you with that.

[Robert Gary]

Submit the bill to your health insurance AND auto insurance company and let them figure out who pays what. Or call the billing company and give them your health inisurance and auto insurance company information for them to bill. And ask for a detail statement of the charges - they are required to provide you with that.

That's kind of my concern, that the city thinks it might be "free" money. Insurance companies only front money. You're still paying for it. We pay for public services in taxes in the hope we don't need them. Then when you need them you get billed for them? To me it greatly cheapens the image of our Fire Department. At least personally, I no longer see them as public servants dedicated to our welfare, they are a fee based service like a house keeper or lawn service. They really should post a menu on their website of services and their associated price just like McD's does.

-Robert

[nomad]

That's kind of my concern, that the city thinks it might be "free" money. Insurance companies only front money. You're still paying for it. We pay for public services in taxes in the hope we don't need them. Then when you need them you get billed for them? To me it greatly cheapens the image of our Fire Department. At least personally, I no longer see them as public servants dedicated to our welfare, they are a fee based service like a house keeper or lawn service. They really should post a menu on their website of services and their associated price just like McD's does.

-Robert

Taxes go to fund pension plans, they have to charge by hour to have niceties like Fire and Amublance Service.

[folsom500]

Robert
I find the information that you have provide confusing and now it is Wednesday and would have thought maybe you had gained some reasoning behind the charges.

1. Have you called Folsom City to find out if they indeed have a local 'crash Tax" I have heard nothing of one in the past and as other cities have added and some then removed them - I would think that this would have some public awareness.

2. Have you contacted the billing company to find out the reasoning for the charges ? And Also why the Double Charge ?

I and others would be interested in your findings.

[Robert Gary]

Robert
I find the information that you have provide confusing and now it is Wednesday and would have thought maybe you had gained some reasoning behind the charges.


1. Have you called Folsom City to find out if they indeed have a local 'crash Tax" I have heard nothing of one in the past and as other cities have added and some then removed them - I would think that this would have some public awareness.

2. Have you contacted the billing company to find out the reasoning for the charges ? And Also why the Double Charge ?

I and others would be interested in your findings.

Some of the information is buried in the conversation...

1) The city does not consider this a "crash tax" because it is charged equally to residence as non-residence. A true "crash tax" (according to the city) is charged only to non-residence. Probably semantics.

2) When I initially contacted the city they referred me to the billing company. The billing company didn't have any information on the bill. I've since gotten an email from the city offering to break down the bill. It is interesting that both my son and his friend received a bill for precisely the same amount. I'm not sure if the typical cost is $3400 and they split it between the two or if each person that they treat receives the same bill.

I think that for me, it was just sticker shock because I didn't realize the city charges for emergency services. It sounds as though the city is willing to provide these fees on their website so people can be aware in the future.

-Robert

[Redone]

Submit the bill to your health insurance AND auto insurance company and let them figure out who pays what. Or call the billing company and give them your health inisurance and auto insurance company information for them to bill. And ask for a detail statement of the charges - they are required to provide you with that.

No way. Your rates will go way up.

Tell the billing company to pound sand unless they can explain the bill. Just don't pay it.

[25or6to4]

No way. Your rates will go way up.

Tell the billing company to pound sand unless they can explain the bill. Just don't pay it.

Ask them to show where you signed agreeing to pay those charges. Ask them to prove where you agreed to pay for the services they rendered. Where you were shown in advance what the charges would be.

[Robert Gary]

Ask them to show where you signed agreeing to pay those charges. Ask them to prove where you agreed to pay for the services they rendered. Where you were shown in advance what the charges would be.

I felt the same way when I got the bill for the car. The Folsom PD called a local towing company. They charged me $300 for the 4 mile in-town tow and then $50/day until I got a buyer to come by and haul off the car. I asked them how they got their rates and they said that they have a 'contract with the city to charge those rates'. I thought (as you said above) that I don't recall signing that contract!

-Robert

[The Average Joe]

You would think that the city could contract out service for a far better price. That is a lot of steady cash flow for a business, and most businesses I know are willing to REDUCE prices a bit for a good account....Oh, wait...I forgot. This is a government agency doing the negotiating with YOUR money, so there is no incentive to negotiate at all.

Big towing ranks right up there with college books, wedding "must haves" and new baby set-up as industries most likely to economically rape you.

[Robert Gary]

I'm sure the rate charged was not of interest to the city when negotiating since they don't have to pay it. It struck me that I was paying daily to store the car almost as I pay monthly in town to store my boat! To add insult to injury I went to get my son's custom license plate frame (just the frame) off and was told that nothing could be removed from the car, city rule. Wait, I'm paying for this storage, what does the city have to do with it??

Unfortunately there are just times in life where taking advantage of people is institutionalized and accepted by society. Being in a car accident is one of them. Refinancing a house comes to mind as well (ever look at all the people with their hands in your pocket? You'd never pay that any other time), buying a car, etc.

-Robert