Road Debris Damage

[chuckbear]

Heading down I-95 through Georgia we hit a “road gator” and it damaged the exhaust and drive shaft. After much ado, we now have the rv in the shop for repairs and currently have no idea how long it will be there. My question is, should we file a claim with our insurance company since repairs are going to be big bucks? Chuck

[diplomatdon]

Bird Freak wrote:

way2roll wrote:
Yes.

Re-treads should be outlawed.

Most road gators are not retreads.

That is my experience as well. Drove truck for 43 yrs and approx. 4 million miles. Firstline tires separate and came to pieces more than retreads, however depends on quality. My experience with retreads was excellent, company only retreaded there own casings and used Bandag retreaders and never on Michelin casings. Any tire can separate and peel.

[chuckbear]

And we know that how? Chuck

[Bird_Freak]

way2roll wrote:
Yes.

Re-treads should be outlawed.

Most road gators are not retreads.

[chuckbear]

LouLawrence wrote:

chuckbear wrote:
The drive shaft was seriously damaged and the rv was towed to the shop. They are only one of two anywhere near where we are that can make the repairs. So we have no choice but to have them repair it. I fully expect the repair cost to be major. The biggest problem is we don’t know how long it will take and we need to find accommodations during all this. I’m also sure the cost will be well above our deductible. Chuck

If you knew that before you posted it really should not have been difficult decision to call your insurance company. If not this, what are you paying for?

Well, thanks. That was very helpful. Chuck

[LouLawrence]

chuckbear wrote:
The drive shaft was seriously damaged and the rv was towed to the shop. They are only one of two anywhere near where we are that can make the repairs. So we have no choice but to have them repair it. I fully expect the repair cost to be major. The biggest problem is we don’t know how long it will take and we need to find accommodations during all this. I’m also sure the cost will be well above our deductible. Chuck

If you knew that before you posted it really should not have been difficult decision to call your insurance company. If not this, what are you paying for?

[ArchHoagland]

Two years ago a pickup truck in front of me on the freeway lost a complete tire and wheel. I ran over it with the passenger side front tire, rear duals and the toad too.

Couldn't dodge it as it was still rolling around and I was on a bridge with an 18 wheeler right beside me.

Destroyed my front leveling jack and tore the plastic air flow assembly off the bottom of my toad.

About $3,000 in damage...AAA covered it all.

[dedmiston]

It should be covered under you the Collision portion of your policy.

Report it to your carrier ASAP, because they have the right to inspect any damage before you repair it.

[Lwiddis]

Immediately! Send pictures with the claim. Copy of the repair shop opening paperwork too.

[way2roll]

Hopefully your insurance can provide rental car or some kind of trip interruption insurance for hotels etc while your RV is being repaired.

But yes, the insurance company should have been one of the first people you called.

[chuckbear]

The drive shaft was seriously damaged and the rv was towed to the shop. They are only one of two anywhere near where we are that can make the repairs. So we have no choice but to have them repair it. I fully expect the repair cost to be major. The biggest problem is we don’t know how long it will take and we need to find accommodations during all this. I’m also sure the cost will be well above our deductible. Chuck

[BurbMan]

rgatijnet1 wrote:
We always had $1000 deductible so I would use it as my gauge. If the damage was $1200, I would not report it. If damage was $1500 or more, the insurance company gets a call.

Seems like if you sneeze in a vehicle repair shop it's $1200 nowadays. I would get a ballpark estimate from the shop and proceed with similar logic as noted here based on your actual deductible.

Depending on what got damaged, ie catalytic converter, expensive driveshaft, etc., the bill may be more than you're expecting.

[RetiredRealtorR]

Isn't that why we carry insurance?

Hopefully you don't have a crazy high deductible -- take a look at your policy.

[rgatijnet1]

We always had $1000 deductible so I would use it as my gauge. If the damage was $1200, I would not report it. If damage was $1500 or more, the insurance company gets a call.

[way2roll]

Yes.

Re-treads should be outlawed.