Caught some debris on the highway

[swat 79]

:doh:


So as the title says, I was driving on 495 today and a car in front of me drove over some wood that had fallen off a truck (rather than drive around it)... It flew up in the air and I caught it with my hood (see the picture below).

Any input on how I go about getting this fixed? There is a dent, 3 scratches, two of which go below the paint. I have no idea how much this could cost, so any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! I included an obligatory clean photo

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[AJ32162]

:doh:


So as the title says, I was driving on 495 today and a car in front of me drove over some wood that had fallen off a truck (rather than drive around it)... It flew up in the air and I caught it with my hood (see the picture below).

Any input on how I go about getting this fixed? There is a dent, 3 scratches, two of which go below the paint. I have no idea how much this could cost, so any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! I included an obligatory clean photo

Get an estimate from a reputable body shop, and call your insurance company. The damage may be covered by your comprehensive insurance. Even the smallest paint repairs cost about $300-400 these days.

 

[Raven15]

Any better pic of the damage? I'm having a real hard time seeing anything from that angle.

But yes, definitely get an estimate and consider your insurance just in case.

 

[ConspicuousConsumption]

Looks like a beauty shot to me. Brand new car? Get your insurance on the phone.

 

[vernonator]

ummmm don't you have insurance? Give them a call....:doh:

 

[Southview]

Where in Md are you

 

[swat 79]

Any better pic of the damage? I'm having a real hard time seeing anything from that angle.

But yes, definitely get an estimate and consider your insurance just in case.

Damn, for some reason the pictures aren't showing up (that was just one of the car), let me try again.


EDIT: OP has been updated.

 

[swat 79]

Where in Md are you

Bethesda.

 

[swat 79]

Looks like a beauty shot to me. Brand new car? Get your insurance on the phone.

The beauty shot was earlier, I've had the car since the first weekend in September.

ummmm don't you have insurance? Give them a call....:doh:

I do have insurance, I'm just looking for the best way to go about handling it. I updated the OP with pictures of the scratch.

 

[Decosse]

Quick note- you may have to fight your insurance to put it under comprehensive rather than collision. In the past, mine tried to call an idiot skateboarder dent (The car was parked, he tried to jump something next to it) on the top of the fender as a collision. My body shop guy (one of their preferred shops) told them no way it was collision, unless I turned the car upside down and hit only one six inch square spot. My comp. deductible was less, and no collision went on record. Obviously your situation is different, but it is worth a shot.

 

[swat 79]

Quick note- you may have to fight your insurance to put it under comprehensive rather than collision. In the past, mine tried to call an idiot skateboarder dent (The car was parked, he tried to jump something next to it) on the top of the fender as a collision. My body shop guy (one of their preferred shops) told them no way it was collision, unless I turned the car upside down and hit only one six inch square spot. My comp. deductible was less, and no collision went on record. Obviously your situation is different, but it is worth a shot.

Thank you, that's good to know.

I'm really considering just paying out of pocket, but as you can see the scratch is no joke.

 

[crs2879]

That should fall under Comprehensive coverage. Generally, Comprehensive claims are not held against you the same as liability or collision. If you have a $250 or $500 deductible, I agree it might be best just to handle out of pocket rather than file it. I would also check on taking your Comp deductible to $0. Typically doesn't cost a lot more.

 

[Southview]

The difference between collision and comp can come down to your wording when calling it in. Tell them something flew off a vehicle and HIT YOU! Do not say something flew off a car and you hit it on the highway.
Fight for comp. I have been in the collision business for over 25 years. And yes, insurance companies are that petty!
That is about an $800 job between the removing of parts like headlamp, setting bumper back,repairing damage and blending fender for color match.

 

[swat 79]

The difference between collision and comp can come down to your wording when calling it in. Tell them something flew off a vehicle and HIT YOU! Do not say something flew off a car and you hit it on the highway.
Fight for comp. I have been in the collision business for over 25 years. And yes, insurance companies are that petty!
That is about an $800 job between the removing of parts like headlamp, setting bumper back,repairing damage and blending fender for color match.

Ok great, thank you. My deductible is $500, so it looks like I'll be filing my first claim. I will push for comprehensive.

It's worth noting that when I say I caught some debris, I was driving and a car kicked up a piece of debris that hit my car.

 

[Southview]

Do not say that. They could still consider it collision because you could have been too close not allowing enough time to avoid object. When calling it in, less is more.
Something flew off the vehicle in front of you and landed on your hood. Not sure what kind of vehicle or what it was. I was too busy trying to avoid it. That is all they need to know!

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