That Deer is going to cost me HOW much?

Okay, bit of a WWGRMD situation here. Long story short:

Hit a deer with the S2000 doing some body damage: Windshield, hood, quarter panel. Nothing crazy, but the dents put cracks in the paint that are exposing the aluminum to potential rust. I want that fixed properly. I have liability and comprehensive coverage, but gamble on being a good driver and don't keep collision.

Got a quote from a recommended body shop: $3,700.

I was guessing about $2k. I have the funds and can swing it, but that's a lot. This is a 2nd owner, unmolested 2003, with relatively low mileage, and all the maintenance records. I'd like to do my best to maintain the value of the car. Is this just a "suck it up" situation, or would I be better financially going to a less careful body shop (that won't be as worried about blending paint across the adjacent panels to the two that were damaged). Or do I need to look into if the insurance will cover at least like the windshield.

Deer strikes have always been covered under comprehensive for my policies. YMMV

I wouldn't worry about blending paint colors, too much money for too little difference IMO.

Usually I'd recommend paying out of pocket whenever you can to avoid giving your insurance an excuse to jack up your rates, but they shouldn't increase them over a deer strike, so paying out of pocket could be leaving money on the table in this case...

I always thought deer was comprehensive too

Aluminum doesn't rust, so that's one thing you don't have to worry about.

A deer hit is comprehensive claim. From what you describe, I can't see any reason why you'd even consider paying yourself. $3700 is an initial estimate. When they pull the bumper and fender, what will you do if they find additional damage? It could wind up being $5k+ easy. Plus, make sure you find a shop that does the work right. A good shop shouldn't need to do a ton of blending, but some will be necessary.

Do you want it de-badged and resprayed black?

stuart in mn wrote: Aluminum doesn't rust, so that's one thing you don't have to worry about.

I figured he meant forming white aluminum-oxide, which can be a PITA in terms of painting.

When my KJ punted a deer the price was $4200. My comprehensive paid the whole bill.

Don’t be such a Bob Costa, why aren’t you going after the deer’s insurance company to pay or was it one of those undocumented grazers that keep jumping over the fence from Canada…those Berklyers never have insurance.

GameboyRMH wrote:

stuart in mn wrote: Aluminum doesn't rust, so that's one thing you don't have to worry about.

I figured he meant forming white aluminum-oxide, which can be a PITA in terms of painting.

usually takes a while for that to show up … at least it did on the gun mount while out at sea

Yeah, file a claim for it. It won't count against you.

Just checked my policy:

USAA Policy said: Comprehensive Covers damage caused by something other than another vehicle such as hail, theft, or collision with an animal.

Yay!

Next question: I hit this deer in the fall and stuck the car in the garage for the winter (because it was literally the weekend before winter fell here). Are they going to deny me for waiting that long? Do I just lie and say it was two weekends ago?

nepa03focus wrote: I always thought deer was comprehensive too

Deer tends to be very comprehensive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3qo1de-iYk

(Some NSFW language. Also, pink mist. Can't find original video anymore)

Don't lie. Tell the truth, you hit a deer, parked the car for the winter because you didn't understand comp would cover it and thought you'd be fixing it in the spring. Usaa is supposed to pretty humane when reading their own Conditions which should state either the amount of time in which they should receive First Notice of Loss, or the term "reasonable amount of time", opening it to "interpretation".

Hopefully you didn't remove all of the deer's evidence.

But aren't you in California? They're squirrel-poopy with ins regs. I think hitting black ice is "an act of God".

Is it racist that I only worry about black ice?

You need a push-bar.

Appleseed wrote: Do you want it de-badged and resprayed black?

Beer Baron wrote: Next question: I hit this deer in the fall and stuck the car in the garage for the winter (because it was literally the weekend before winter fell here). Are they going to deny me for waiting that long? Do I just lie and say it was two weekends ago?

No and no. They probably won't be thrilled you waited so long, most policies have language requiring you to report a claim promptly. So technically yes, they could deny it. However, it's very frequent I see claims that happened 6 months ago, 12, 18, 24+. The number I've denied in that situation is exceedingly small. How long have you been with USAA? In other words, if the accident happened right when you bought their policy and you didn't report it, that could be an issue. But if you've been with them a long time, you shouldn't have an issue.

Do not lie about the date. If they find out you lied, they will deny your claim and if they're feeling it, could turn it to law enforcement.

etifosi wrote: Don't lie. Tell the truth, you hit a deer, parked the car for the winter because you didn't understand comp would cover it and thought you'd be fixing it in the spring. Usaa is supposed to pretty humane when reading their own Conditions which should state either the amount of time in which they should receive First Notice of Loss, or the term "reasonable amount of time", opening it to "interpretation". Hopefully you didn't remove all of the deer's evidence. But aren't you in California? They're squirrel-poopy with ins regs. I think hitting black ice is "an act of God".

I'm in Ohio.

Unfortunately, I threw away a chunk of the deer's antler over the weekend. Fortunately... the damage looks a lot like it came from a deer. There are two chunks in the corner of the window where the prongs of the horns (it was a buck) dug into the trim around the windshield. The damage is all on TOP of the hood. Definitely from something falling onto the car, not getting run into by the car.

Klayfish wrote: No and no. They probably won't be thrilled you waited so long, most policies have language requiring you to report a claim promptly. So technically yes, they could deny it. However, it's very frequent I see claims that happened 6 months ago, 12, 18, 24+. The number I've denied in that situation is exceedingly small. How long have you been with USAA? In other words, if the accident happened right when you bought their policy and you didn't report it, that could be an issue. But if you've been with them a long time, you shouldn't have an issue. Do not lie about the date. If they find out you lied, they will deny your claim and if they're feeling it, could turn it to law enforcement.

Roger.

I have been with them for a while. Well before this happened. I do suspect I should probably call and speak to a representative to place the claim rather than doing so online.

Appleseed wrote: You need a push-bar.

Either that guy's running some seriously deep blue headlights, or he just killed an alien deer with purple guts.

In reply to GameboyRMH:

The cherries and berries are on since its actually a police car.....

When a deer hit my LS400, Geico said it wasn't my fault, if that is what you are concerned about. That is, it is not a "my fault" insurance thing.

Since you are located in Columbus I would have John Guthrie take a look at the damage. He is the go to guy for spec Miata crash repair in the area. He fixed the crash damage on my own spec Miata and I am more than happy with the result.

http://www.yellowpages.com/sunbury-oh/mip/guthries-body-shop-inc-11455956