Reporting 4X4 trail damage to your insurance?

NickleTech · 09-17-2007, 08:21 PM

4X4 Offroad damage - report to your insurance?:
So what's the general concensus? I'm sure it really depends on the scenario - but what do you tell them? I'm not sure but I'm guessing the majority of our insurance policies specifically do not pay for off-road damage. I may be completely off here but figured I'd ask you guys.

Let's take a couple of different scenarios:

#1 - you're driving up a medium difficulty trail and it starts to narrow. You can't back up and end up pushing through. A rock, tree, ledge - whatever, decides to dig itself into your passenger door panel. It's much more than a scratch - it has actually dented your door and left a really nasty mark. Is this something you guys would report? If so, what do you tell them?

#2 - You end up fording through some water on the trail and unfortunately the bottom drops out on you unexpectedly - the front end takes a quick dip and you get some water where it's not supposed to be. You make it home but your transmission is gagging. Do you call your insurance? What do you tell them?

Both of these scenarios could still occur in "On-Road" situations but you were intentionally "off-roading" for enjoyment.

wvphoto · 09-17-2007, 08:31 PM

insurance fraud is a crime..

not being an ass...but..
you shouldn't off road.. unless you can pay for the damage..

i autox my honda s2000 and drag race and autox my zo6 vette.. i would never ..never .. turn in any damage
you WILL get caught.. they are good....inspectors.

i have not off roaded my fj yet.. but.. if i lean her into a tree... i will pay for the damage..

period..

i really don't think there is a gray area there..

it is recreation.. and we know its dangerous..

you may get by with it.. but.. you are asking the question.. so.. there is doubt in your mind

enjoy it.
and be careful..

SonicFJ · 09-17-2007, 08:32 PM

Depends on your deductable. You may wind up paying more for the claim in deductibles plus the increase when the rates get adjusted. Some companies will drop you if you have more than one claim. As long as it happens while you are driving it will be covered under a collision claim. If you say you don't know, then it may be called a comp claim, and have a different deductible. Just say you were driving and you heard a noise and don't really remember where it was, it sounded like it was under the car.

I would take the transmission in for warranty, it is supposed to be able to ford water.

NickleTech · 09-17-2007, 08:35 PM

Quote:

wvphoto previously said:

insurance fraud is a crime..

not being an ass...but..
you shouldn't off road.. unless you can pay for the damage..

i autox my honda s2000 and drag race and autox my zo6 vette.. i would never ..never .. turn in any damage
you WILL get caught.. they are good....inspectors.

i have not off roaded my fj yet.. but.. if i lean her into a tree... i will pay for the damage..

period..

i really don't think there is a gray area there..

it is recreation.. and we know its dangerous..

you may get by with it.. but.. you are asking the question.. so.. there is doubt in your mind

enjoy it.
and be careful..

I agree with you & I'm a pretty by the books guy - but I think there are situations where you're off-roading & something happens to you that could have happened to you in an On-roading scenario. Are you immediately disqualified from filing a claim because you were "Off-road"? That's the point I'm trying to make. Where do you draw the line.

I suppose you'd want to call your insurance and let them know what you were doing, ultimately letting them be the judge.

homedad · 09-17-2007, 08:46 PM

I see two threads by you concerning dumb things happening on the trail....are you trying to break something????

But...first hand experience here....assuming you have full coverage on the truck....

the truck is covered ANYWERE in the USA....paved or dirt....except if you are in ANY compitition....then it's NOT covered....so if you are in a race you are NOT covered....as far as towing...insurance will cover you from ANY MAPPED road....mapped dirt trails are covered....the middle of nowere...you pay from that point to the nearest mapped road (any map) and insurance will cover from there to a shop for repairs...

My situation was a stupid moved that put my at such a rediculious angle I cought a tree branch and ripped a nice big hole in the ROOF!!! completely covered....no lies needed....good luck breaking stuff...

cnynrat · 09-17-2007, 08:48 PM

Quote:

NickleTech previously said:

4X4 Offroad damage - report to your insurance?:
So what's the general concensus? I'm sure it really depends on the scenario - but what do you tell them? I'm not sure but I'm guessing the majority of our insurance policies specifically do not pay for off-road damage. I may be completely off here but figured I'd ask you guys.

Let's take a couple of different scenarios:

#1 - you're driving up a medium difficulty trail and it starts to narrow. You can't back up and end up pushing through. A rock, tree, ledge - whatever, decides to dig itself into your passenger door panel. It's much more than a scratch - it has actually dented your door and left a really nasty mark. Is this something you guys would report? If so, what do you tell them?

#2 - You end up fording through some water on the trail and unfortunately the bottom drops out on you unexpectedly - the front end takes a quick dip and you get some water where it's not supposed to be. You make it home but your transmission is gagging. Do you call your insurance? What do you tell them?

Both of these scenarios could still occur in "On-Road" situations but you were intentionally "off-roading" for enjoyment.

Check your policy. You may be surprised to learn that you are covered for damage to your vehicle that occurs while you are off-road. It's common to exclude damage during competition events, but assuming you are just out enjoying your Saturday afternoon, and not running the Baja 500 or something, you are probably covered.

I know someone who totalled his FJ in an off road accident (rollover). His insurance company covered the loss.

Let me emphasize again - check your policy. Your coverage may be different.

wvphoto · 09-17-2007, 08:59 PM

that would be cool if you are covered off road..

i think they would frown on you or cancel you if you have a big claim..

i will call my agent.. my be covered..
my agent knows i race.. he says.. "just dont' tell me " ..LOL

he is a friend..

moomtazz · 09-17-2007, 09:26 PM

My first trail ride in my FJ, 500 miles on the OD, temp tags still on. I caught a sideways sticking branch in the side, caused a 24" long dent on my lower driver side door.

I got a couple of local estimates, and since I also had a deep scratch in the quarter panel that they would have to blend in, it came to about $1200. My deductable is $500. I called my insurance co. and they WOULD cover it. I decided not to file a claim though, because the $700 difference isn't worth going on record with a claim and probably increasing my premium.

I have insurance through USAA.

TIT-CRUISER · 09-17-2007, 09:37 PM

I was a passenger in an FJ that rolled. The owner had Mercury Insurance and they covered it as long as it didn't happen in a sanctioned event. No reason to make up stories, but I wouldn't make a claim for a scratch or small dent. I guess those Mercury guys are from a different planet.

NickleTech · 09-17-2007, 10:01 PM

I'll check my insurance - but from the sound of it most of your guys' policies cover off-road issues as long as you aren't racing in a sanctioned event. Good to know.