Expert: webfoot - 8/27/2008

Question
Hello,

About a week ago, I hit a goat with my Honda Element.  The damage appeared to be restricted to the front left fender under the headlight.  I reported the accident to my Ins. Co. and the police and as the car was driveable, I continued on my way.  The Ins co said that it would be covered by my comp.    I drove the car maybe 40 miles and parked it at home for several hours, then started to drive again... the oil light came on and I stopped.  The engine was very hot and the coolant had apparently leaked out as a result of the acc. The adjuster estimated the damage at $1100, but when my mechanic started to repair the radiator, he found serious and expensive engine damage.  My question... do I have to accept the adjuster's number, and if not, what is my recourse?  Thank you.
Dennis

Answer
Must have been a Billy goat with radiator piercing horns...

I've handled very similar claims and my first thought regarding your query is how fortunate you are that your insurance company was willing to cover any of the actual engine damage.  No vehicle is going to get from the coolant loss to the oil light on without a long period of overheating.  This would be the kind of overheating that registers on a temperature guage for at least 10 miles along with some other unusual symptoms such as knocking, smoking, flashing lights, vampire bats and Obama posters.  Many insurers would deny such a claim for "failure to mitigate damages" which means not getting a sick car towed.

No offense, but such a scenerio does invoke some memories of my past rental car abuses...

As far as the adjuster's initial estimate; it was likely written to reflect the "best scenerio" repair which may have been something like a head gasket.  As they have agreed to starting repairs, they are pretty much committed to whatever is found.  Therefore, they will likely cover whatever can be justified as loss related.  This is referred to as the supplement process and I would have figured the rep would have covered this with you.  Unfortunatly, that isn't always the case.  

I'd say that at this point, you put on your most serious face and demand that they give you a brand new Honda Hybrid for your trouble.  It is very likely that this won't and never has happened.  However, several Claims Adjusters will have something to drink to after work that day.     

If serious engine damage is discovered, the adjuster will likely authorize a used replacement engine.  This is really the most that they owe for as long as the replacement engine has the same or less miles and a warranty that would cover you as long as the factory warranty.  

Give the process a couple of days and let me know how it is going.