You are here:

Auto Insurance Claims/deer and icy conditions..hit a guard rail

Advertisement

Expert: webfoot - 1/7/2009


Question
just a few days ago i swerved to miss a deer on the highway.  I was doing approx 85 km in a 100 kmh zone and was unable to regain control before colliding with a guard rail causing over $5000 in damage.  I have full coverage.  Should I be covered if i didnt actually make contact with the deer?

Answer
Sorry to hear about that.  It happens down here in the south all the time, with or without ice.  As far as the "green" people are concerned, it is a good thing that the deer survived.  I can tell you though that a lot of people end up getting killed in attempts to miss a deer and end up hitting a tree instead.  Personally, I'd take the deer as I so love venison sausage and would never be ashamed to have a deer strapped to the roof of my Impala.

You have not specifically stated what kind of coverage you have.

There is no such term as "full coverage" in the insurance industry.  Consumers use this term when they believe that they have purchased every coverage available but I see cases on a daily bases that they believe that they have purchased something that they never did as people refuse to read the documents.  

There is Liability, Comprehensive, Collision, Un-Insured Motorist, Medical payments, rental, GAP, additional equipment, etc. etc.

If you have collision, this loss would qualify under that coverage.

If you have comprehensive coverage, it would only apply if you made contact with the deer.

Good luck!  

Auto Insurance Claims

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

webfoot

Expertise

Auto damage, liability, insurance fraud. I am a full time auto insurance adjuster with experience in collision, theft, liability and fraud investigation. I am also an ASE Master Auto Tech and I-Car Collision Platinum certified. My experience includes 15 years in the auto repair industry, a B.S. in Criminal Justice, Law enforcement and auto insurance. ****** NO "PRIVATE" QUESTIONS WILL BE ANSWERED. I HAVE FOUND THAT NEARLY ALL PRIVATE QUESTIONS COME FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE CONSIDERING OR ATTEMPTING TO COMMIT FELONY INSURANCE FRAUD AND I'M NOT HERE TO HELP YOU! ****** I AM HERE TO ANSWER AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR, CLAIMS PROCESS AND SOME SIMPLE LIABILITY QUESTIONS. I CANNOT ADDRESS COMPLEX LIABILITY SCENARIOS WITHOUT HAVING ALL OF THE INFO FROM BOTH SIDES IN FRONT OF ME. QUESTIONS ABOUT PREMIUMS OR HOW INSURANCE IS RATED SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO YOUR PERSONAL INSURANCE AGENT WHO KNOWS A WHOLE LOT MORE ABOUT YOUR HISTORY THAN I DO. I'VE NEVER SOLD INSURANCE AND DO NOT KNOW IF YOUR INDIVIDUAL INSURANCE RATES WILL GO UP IF YOU MAKE A CLAIM. THOUGH I'VE HANDLED SOME VERY MINOR SOFT TISSUE INJURY SETTLEMENTS, I PREFER NOT TO ANSWER INJURY RELATED QUESTIONS. I'M NO INJURY EXPERT AND I'LL LIKELY SAY SOMETHING TO HURT SOMEONE'S FEELINGS AS I BELIEVE THAT MANY SOFT TISSUE PAIN AND SUFFERING CLAIMS ARE OVER DRAMATIZED. UNLIKE MANY OTHERS, I AM ON THIS FORUM AS A VOLUNTEER WITH NO PRODUCTS OR SERVICES TO SELL AND PROMISE AN UPFRONT ANSWER BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE IN BOTH SIDES OF THE INDUSTRY. IF YOU PROVIDE ME WITH A HONEST VERSION OF EVENTS, I PROMISE A CANDID AND HONEST ANSWER IN RETURN. I CANNOT ADDRESS ALL CLAIM SCENERIOS DUE TO DIFFERING STATE LAWS AND REGULATIONS, BUT WILL DO MY BEST. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT AN HONEST ANSWER MAY BE ONE THAT YOU DON'T LIKE SO IF THAT IS GOING TO BE A PROBLEM, PLEASE DON'T ASK THE QUESTION. LASTLY, I DO NOT ACCEPT RATINGS AS I DON'T DO THIS FOR RATINGS AND WISH TO SPEAK FREELY.

Experience

20 years in automotive industry, Currently in insurance claims, worked actively as technician and shop owner until about 10 years ago. Current ASE Master Auto Tech and I-Car Platinum Collision Certifications, B.S. Criminal Justice and 10 year auto insurance/extended warranty background

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.