i hit something on the freeway and it cracked my bumper. would this be a comp or collision claim?

Question

I tried to avoid this block of wood that fell from the truck.

Answer 1

Call your insurance company and let them decide. BTW, you should have gotten the license number and any identifying marks off the truck, as it was the driver's fault for not securing his/her load properly.

Answer 2

Actually the easiest way to tell is by opening up your policy which will list coverages for "collision" or "other than collision"
Normally the definition of "collision is the impact of your vehicle with some object, or the upset/overturn of the vehicle.
The definition of "other than collision" will list about 8-10 things that are much more specific. Hitting an animal is in fact other than collision. Also in OTC is falling objects, so technically, that piece of wood falling off the truck and hitting you is OTC, while hitting it after it is on the ground is collision.

BTW, in freeway driving, it would be pretty difficult fot an adjuster to tell what it was because at high speeds things can bounce and flip around, etc. But this does NOT mean to lie. Most people have the same deductible for both OTC and collision.

Answer 3

If it fell from the truck and was laying on the road when you hit it this is a collision claim. If it fell from the truck and was bouncing around, flew up and hit your vehicle it is a comp claim. You can try them on for a comp but if you hit a stationary object they will be able to tell from the damage itself and you then run the risk of having the claim denied completely.

Answer 4

If you collide with something that's in the road it's a collision claim. Sometimes insurance companies will consider it a comp claim if it fell off the vehicle onto yours, and they may bend that rule and extend it to your hitting a block of wood in the road that came off of another vehicle (so long as it just happened right then, and wasn't there for a long period of time). They don't have to turn it into a comp claim, but they may. You will need to ask.

Answer 5

If the wood was on the ground when you hit it, it is a collision. If it was in the air (it came directly from the truck flew through the air and landed on your bumper) it is a comprehensive claim. If it hit the ground and then hit your car, it is a collision. The adjuster will be able to tell by the damage which it was, so don't tell them it was in the air when you hit it if it was on the ground. Also, if it was on the ground & your tire popped it up & hit your bumper, it is still a collision because the wood was on the ground when you first came in contact with it. I hope this explains it for you.

Answer 6

I get a kick out of these "top contributors" who don't have a clue what they're talking about. It's definitely a "collision " claim. The only time you hit something and it's comp is if you hit an animal. I'd like to be a top contributor too. If I contribute wrong answers all day, just like some of you do, does that count as much as good answers?

Answer 7

Did it fall FROM the truck onto your car, or bounce from the road? It makes a difference.

FALLING OBJECTS are comprehensive

Road Debris is COLLISION

Answer 8

This should be a comp. claim.
Depending on the car, bumpers can be expensive!
Comprehensive claims do not typically raise your rates.

Answer 9

i dont think you can claim for debrie damage unles it is the fault of the freeway and if thats the case you have to contact the state and find out the process. you must be able to prove without a doubt.

Answer 10

It is a collision claim!