Accident Question- Front Fascia Options?

[4B Viper]

Unfortunately for me, this past weekend I was unable to avoid one of two tires that were in the middle of the freeway and slammed into one of them. It took a gnarly chunk out of my front fascia, knocked a headlight completely loose, and made a large gash in my tire and rim.

Since my front fascia will most likely be needed to be replaced, will my insurance allow me to replace it with an aftermarket part instead of the stock one? What other aftermarket front fascias are available other than the Autoform, Elite Motorsports, and PartsRack? What are the costs of a stock front fascia vs. aftermarket ones? Also, any ideas how much my insurance is going to increase? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Magicboy2]

Since it will probably be classified as a no-fault accident, I doubt they'd raise your rate. I know that when you hit an animal (deer, etc), they don't jack your rate for that... I'd think this would be classified similarly?

Good luck.

 

[HOdbleFman]

It will be covered under your comprehensive insurance and not considered collision insurance. Your rates won't go up and you probably have a low deductable on your comprehensive.

 

[4B Viper]

I don't know if the traffic laws regarding this issue are different state to state, but here in California, I'm at fault. The insurance adjuster quoted me the vehicle code (which the California Highway Patrol confirmed) that stated that I am at fault because I should have been travelling at a speed so that I would be able to avoid the stationary object. Yes, it's completely ridiculous since what is a safe speed on a freeway to avoid hitting a stationary object and not slam into the cars on either side of you?

 

[LIVIPER]

1) As far as an after market part - your insurance will give you a check for the replacement value (parts and labor) to bring the car back to OEM condition. What you do from there is up to you. If you do go for an after market part, you can bank the difference if less, pay the extra if more or bank it all and not repair, if you wanted.

2) With regard to rates, New York has a similar obligation for a motorist to "keep a safe and sufficient lookout". My questions to you are: How do you know the object was stationary? Where did it come from? Did it fall of a truck? Roll into the road? When did you first observe the object? (i.e. were you staring at the tire for 1/4 mile before contact or did someone in front of you change lanes just before your hit it.)

I am hoping that you probably would not have hit the object if it were truly stationary and observable for some reasonable amount of time. Sounds to me like you have an argument to make against a rate increase.

Good luck.

 

[dansauto]

I have seen Elites, Autoforms and [******]'s in person. I like the stock with autoform spliter the best. Elite and [******] are similar and do not lower the ground clearance. Autoform has the extra lights and best quality (fit and finish) Elite's is the cheapest, but plan on giving your body man a little change to make it look good. You should be able to get a used OEM facia for less than $500. The insurance company does not even care if you fix it, (unless you have a lien-then the bank will care) They will just cut you a check to repair back to the way it was. (don't let them steer you into taking it to thier pro shop!!) If the damage is not too costly, no personal injury and no tickets you probably will not see an increase. On the other hand if you got a bad driving record and this is your forth claim this year, you may get dropped!

 

[Ulysses]

I'ld like to see where in the Vehicle Code it says it's your fault. Did they give you a section number from the Vehicle Code?

 

[4B Viper]

They gave me VC 22350: "Basic Speed Law 22350. No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property."

In a letter my insurance company sent me, they said that I can be considered principally at fault if my actions were at least 51% the cause of the accident. However, they "assessed your percentage of fault at 100% and the percentage of fault of any other driver or cause at 0%. This was based on: Insured vehicle struck object in road VC 22350"

Seems ridiculous but seems like there's no way around it, so to speak.

 

[GCHDEALER]

If you have Allstate it will be under your collision coverage, because you could have avoided it, so they claim. Now if it was a deer they consider that unavoidable. Go buy a steak and rub over the front end claim it was an animal.

 

[BadVenm]

As far as after market fascias go, my buddy just put on the Autoform "Daytona" style. It is the one with two center lights. He sent me photo's, it is a great looking fascia. However, IMO it will look unbalanced if you do not have a wing on the rear.

I have a photo or two, I'll see if I can find your e-mail and send them.

Good luck choosing!

 

[JonB]

PartsRack can order you a replacement OEM Facie at a discount your insurance adjuster will like, and probably pay for.

Then, we will provide what you REALLY want ! Just drop a dime......

 

[Bonkers]

They gave me VC 22350: "Basic Speed Law 22350. No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property."

Is it me or am I missing the part where is says anything about foriegn objects in the roadway?? As clear cut as it sounds, there could be other factors such as road contour and daylight. Seems like a sneaky insurance co cop out to me - I'd fight it out of principal or challenge the state for not keeping the roads clear. (not that you'd have a snowflakes chance on that one in Cali.)

Sounds like JonB has a plan in motion for you - good luck....