Expert: webfoot - 8/17/2007

Question
QUESTION: This afternoon, I met a Chevy Tahoe or Suburban in a curve and the lady driving it was at least one foot on my side of the double yellow line.  I had to choose between swerving to the right and off the shoulder or hitting her head-on in my Mazda3.  Of course, I chose to swerve and my right front wheel hit a large pothole on the edge of the pavement.

I have not yet determined how much damange there is, but I'm concerned it will not be inexpensive.  There is some sort of oily fluid all over the back side of the tire and I first I feared the brake cable was severed.  I think the CV-joint boot is ruptured although I could be wrong.  I'm not sure what other suspension damange there may be.  The wheel alone is $400 and it is definitely bent.

I'm curious which of my coverages would apply in a situation like this.  Would it be Uninsured Motorist Property Damage ($250 deductible) or Comprehesive ($500 deductible).  My dad (who thinks he is the expert on everything) says the UMPD will cover it.  I'm not so sure.  

Please advise.  Also, should I file a police report of some kind?

Many thanks!

ANSWER: Without seeing your policy, I cannot say if UMPD would cover it or not.  In my state, UMPD only applies if there is actual contact between vehicles.  This is definitely not a comp claim.
The answers to this and whether a police report is required are in your policy.
Good luck!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the information.  

You say it is definitely NOT a Comprehensive claim?  I've always understood Comp to cover things like broken windshields, vandalism, etc.  Is that correct and why would this situation not meet the criteria?

By having both Comprehensive and Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage on my vehicles, I thought I had all contingencies covered.  Would there be any other type of coverage which could protect me in a situation like this one?

Thank you again!


Answer
Unfortunately, striking a hole in the road without making contact with another vehicle would generally fall under collision coverage only.  
If there are independent witnesses to an event like what happened to you, along with a police report, some insurers may stretch the definitions of UMPD to cover it.

To answer your question about comp, check that section of your policy.  It lists exactly what your comp covers.