Deer Damage

[Aggies7]

Ok I dont know how many people have this problem, but here in MD the deer are crazy. And it figures I hit one on the highway on Sat. night. Now here is my problem, I was not driving therefore I could not claim this on my insurance. I was at a bar watching game 3 of the World Series and when it was over we left. I was drinking, so my girlfriend was the one to drive and when she hit the deer she was going 78 mph on the highway. Luckily we barely hit it, and it only messed up the right front. Now since I could not get a police report because technically she should not be driving my jeep, I cannot claim this on my insurance. So today I went to get an estimate from a friend who owns an autobody shop.

Here is what he said:

Body Labor: $364.80 at a rate of 38.00/hr for 9.6 hours
Paint Labor: $136.80 at a rate of 38.00/hr for 3.6 hours
OEM Parts: $212.25 includes bumper extension (whole bumper doesnt need to be replaced just the extension part, which is great), signal and marker lights
and right fender flare
Body and Paint Supplies: $110.00

In the end after taxes and such it ends up at $851.89. I have no problem paying that amount, but does the labor cost seem high to anyone else. The parts will only cost me about 1/4 of the total cost, is that normal? I would do it myself, but I could only do the fender flare not all the painting stuff, so I figured I would let them fix it all before I end up making it worse..


Ok thanks for any input I can get, and I figure I wont be the only one to hit a deer this year, so if you have some stories post them here.

[Heelfan71]

Re: Deer Damage

Labor is the majority of the cost always. I don't see why you can't just call insurance and tell them you hit a deer. I did that a few years back. I just called them and they came out and took pictures of the damage.

[Graphik]

Re: Deer Damage

Maaaannn, you're getting raped with no vaseline. Just get a local crackhead to do it for 20 bucks and a 3 piece wing combo.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: Deer Damage

You call it in the next day, you don't need a police report and a deer hit is a comp claim, which most people have at a lower deductible.

[Aggies7]

Re: Deer Damage

Labor is the majority of the cost always. I don't see why you can't just call insurance and tell them you hit a deer. I did that a few years back. I just called them and they came out and took pictures of the damage.

I wasnt driving and there is no evidence that I hit a deer and not another car. I mean there is no hair or anything, and when I dad hit one a few years back before I moved out, I was there when the insurance man came and he said they always look for deer hair and blood and without one of those it is hard for him to push the claim through. Plus my mom sells insurance and I called her and she said I was better off to pay out of pocket because I have no evidence.

I love hunting, but I sure hate when they run out in front of me.

[Aggies7]

Re: Deer Damage

You call it in the next day, you don't need a police report and a deer hit is a comp claim, which most people have at a lower deductible.

Comp claim wont make your insurance go up right?

Also if I already got an estimate can my insurance company see that, or could I tell them it just happened without them knowing.

[Herbsinator]

Re: Deer Damage

why wasn't your Girlfriend supposed to be driving your car? I don't understand this.

[Aggies7]

Re: Deer Damage

why wasn't your Girlfriend supposed to be driving your car? I don't understand this.

She is not covered under my insurance.

You would think if someone has their own insurance and was doing another person a favor by being a DD, the insurance company shouldnt care, but they do.

[Pared]

Re: Deer Damage

Man, I had Deer last night for the first time.

Venison is mighty tasty!

[Aggies7]

Re: Deer Damage

Man, I had Deer last night for the first time.

Venison is mighty tasty!

Yes it is, but not when its on the bumper of my jeep.

[Pared]

Re: Deer Damage

Ah, ya got me there.

[Spectre]

Re: Deer Damage

My labor was a lot more than yours (about 50 bucks)

Fortunately, my damage (I got rear-ended) was covered by insurance

[funky_chicken]

Re: Deer Damage

She is not covered under my insurance.

You would think if someone has their own insurance and was doing another person a favor by being a DD, the insurance company shouldnt care, but they do.

I don't know what the insurance laws are in Maryland but in Indiana if you give someone permission to drive your vehicle whether they are on your insurance or not they are covered. I am an Indiana insurance agent and this was something that was stressed by our instuctor when we were talking about car insurance.

[Aggies7]

Re: Deer Damage

I don't know what the insurance laws are in Maryland but in Indiana if you give someone permission to drive your vehicle whether they are on your insurance or not they are covered. I am an Indiana insurance agent and this was something that was stressed by our instuctor when we were talking about car insurance.

Thanks Ill try to call them during lunch today and check, but I know on my policy it states that I am the only one allowed to drive this vehicle and that under no circumstances am I to allow someone else to drive it.

I have Progressive auto insurance if that makes a difference, but like you said I think the laws are mandated by each individual state and not by the company.

[p_rushing]

Re: Deer Damage

Yep that would be something setup by each state, but I can't believe it would be different. It is setup that way so if the person doesn't have insurance or enough to cover it, you are liable because it is your car.