Front Cap Damaged, Insurance Question?

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Front Cap Damaged, Insurance Question?

January 12, 2019, 01:42:54 am

So, I happened to Clip the Right Front Edge of the Cap. It is pretty bad, and I filed my 1st Claim in over 20 years! The Insurance Company said to have an RV Dealer make an Estimate, and they said that it could possibly be repaired, but is substantial enough, to get the Cap Replaced! The Headlights Move around, going down the road, and point up, etc.

My thought is, that of course I'd ONLY be able to source a Used one to replace it, that it might be better, to not drive at night, and on my way back east from California, swing by Texas to have them put on that new design headlight/trim façade in?

My question is, has anyone been successful in convincing the Insurance Company to do that Mod because of an accident, similar to mine? I take it, you cannot have a Kit sent to California, and I'd have to visit the facility where they do it, correct?

Re: Front Cap Damaged, Insurance Question?

Reply #1 – January 12, 2019, 06:32:20 am

I think you will find that Foretravel can fabricate a new end cap for you. They have a very good fiberglass shop and I'm sure the mold still exist. They used the same end cap for several years.

Re: Front Cap Damaged, Insurance Question?

Reply #2 – January 12, 2019, 06:52:45 am

Quote from: Kemahjohn – January 12, 2019, 06:32:20 am

I think you will find that Foretravel can fabricate a new end cap for you. They have a very good fiberglass shop and I'm sure the mold still exist. They used the same end cap for several years.

His front cap is where the damage is, but he still should not have a problem with a cap or repair if possible. As far as insurance goes, you may have to pay some difference, but if you wish to do the mod on the headlights with the other damage, that should be no problem. Like most insurance companies, usually submit 2 estimates and whatever they decide for the final bill, they will cut you a check and you decide what you wish done.

Re: Front Cap Damaged, Insurance Question?

Reply #3 – January 12, 2019, 08:01:38 am

Quote from: juicesqueezer – January 12, 2019, 06:52:45 am

His front cap is where the damage is, but he still should not have a problem with a cap or repair if possible. As far as insurance goes, you may have to pay some difference, but if you wish to do the mod on the headlights with the other damage, that should be no problem. Like most insurance companies, usually submit 2 estimates and whatever they decide for the final bill, they will cut you a check and you decide what you wish done.

I would certainly Pay the Difference, at this point! I have determined that I'd Prefer the "New" look, if it does make a difference in Nighttime Visibility issues? Although the Nostalgic Look to me, is just fine, I have to concede that I am a Night Driver, more than a Day Driver, when I want to make time, and put the Miles behind me!

I'd sure like someone to tell me if they were actually successful in convincing the Insurance Company to foot all or part of the Bill, though? As much as I may like the Original Look, the Benefit, may outweigh the Difference in my case? AFAIK, the Insurance Company does NOT cut me a Check. They Pay the Restoration costs directly to the Repair Facility, only? I had GIECO, for many decades, but left them, because I save over $1,000.00, per year, now, and my last accident over 20 years ago, when I was Rear Ended by an Illegal Alien, (Uninsured BTW) they did that, but I asked and was told, that my current Insurer will not! I now get to find out if I really am "In Good Hands" when Mayhem visited me! LOL. I actually was going to attempt a repair myself, but saw it was Crucial to have alignments, and such, that it may fail if not done, professionally! Besides I pay for everyone else to have repairs done, so now that I have Finally made a Mistake, I might as well, take advantage of my coverage I never use! LOL

Re: Front Cap Damaged, Insurance Question?

Reply #4 – January 12, 2019, 08:04:03 am

FT could likely make a cap, they made a fender for mine when I had a blow out. Took 2.5 weeks from when I ordered Take pictures and send to xtreme in NAC if that location can work. They will do a preliminary estimate from pictures for Insurance company and there are well suited to decide fix current vs replace

Re: Front Cap Damaged, Insurance Question?

Reply #5 – January 12, 2019, 08:05:30 am

Yes pay the difference. Check on that when you talk to Xtreme if you go there

Re: Front Cap Damaged, Insurance Question?

Reply #6 – January 12, 2019, 08:28:43 am

OK, so the Back Story, on HOW this happened! I have to park my Coach in a Parking Apron, which is quite the hassle to maneuver, due to the extreme Curve, and Grade I have on my 100'+driveway, leading up to where I park it! I have 50' Evergreens lining both sides, that I love, as they are like a Canopy of sorts, and can't see me removing them! The whole Driveway was actually dark, to drive under in Broad Daylight, until I had to Trim the trees up, to the 14' + level, for the Foretravel to fit under! I could barely fit my Pickup truck under the branches before that! Even Delivery Trucks, park on our Country Road, and walk packages up, as it is hard to maneuver for them, still! My neighbor has quite a laugh at how I have to Jack, all over the place to miss tree trunks, front and back, due to this extreme angle I have! He drives Big Rigs, and said it would be a Challenge, even for him! Anyway, a Series of jacking back and forth, with the Boss, on her phone, and I, on mine, is fairly painless, most times! I'd never attempt to park it myself though in my predicament! I use my Backup Camera, and Usually have her, slightly to my Left Rear, and also in camera view, as well as Mirror view!

Sometimes I back it in, and although that can work, I can usually pull right in without much of an issue! This time, I was tired, and just wanted to get out on that Highway, and get going! It was dark, and she was where she normally directed me from, and wouldn't you know it, I cut it too sharp, right at the end of my driveway, (Again, Close Quarters!) and a Tree Root reached out and grabbed me! Had I known I was about to hit it, I would have Selected the "Raise" Function, which I use when I feel I am too low for conditions, such as this! I learned the Hard Way, as I looked at Mud galore that collected, right in front of the Entry Step, and I gouged a Huge Chunk off, from there Forward! Just Fiberglass damage Mostly, but it also looks like the Steel Supports were ripped from it as well? Anyway, I made it across the Country! Did the Holidays with Family in California, just now decided to make a Claim on it! The Insurance Company had No Issues, and understood all of it, just fine, and was of course glad that no other party was involved! So far, they only requested One Estimate, and they said that I would hear from an adjuster soon! I am in no big hurry! I do hate the fact it is damaged, but hey, such is life, Crap Happens, right?

Re: Front Cap Damaged, Insurance Question?

Reply #7 – January 12, 2019, 09:22:45 am

Tom, sorry to hear of the damage. Any pictures you would like to share?

Re: Front Cap Damaged, Insurance Question?

Reply #8 – January 12, 2019, 09:28:21 am

When my bladder failed I flooded during a rain storm.. Insurance picked up the bill to redo the carpet and flooring bedroom and living room, replaced bladders and so on... instead of doing carpet I paid a little extra and they did wood flooring. There is an allotted amount of money for the repair.. doesnt have to be the exact replacement just you will have a cap on what the insurance will pay towards whatever you decide to put their if not original. Talk to the repair place on costs of different styles you want done and they will help you.

Re: Front Cap Damaged, Insurance Question?

Reply #9 – January 12, 2019, 10:35:44 am

Sounds like quotes from Foretravel and Extreme will provide what the insurance co. needs. I'd also probably get a quote for transport of the vehicle there. I know Extreme has provided quotes from emailed photos and suspect foretravel will do the same. Insurance payouts typically go to owner rather than directly to service provider. It can make a difference if you have the coach financed. Once you have legitimate quotes and the insurance co approves you are free to have whoever you wish do the work, even yourself. One of these companies was selling a kit to redo headlights which included pre molded front corners from headlights down. Might be an option.

Re: Front Cap Damaged, Insurance Question?

Reply #10 – January 12, 2019, 10:55:31 am

A red light runner got my corner. FT would not give a quote without seeing it. Xtreme did. Some back and forth with the insurance co and it was good to fix. We drove to NAC from MN in the winter with a goofy light and a busted corner. I used some metal plates and screws and tape to hold things together, lots of zip ties to keep the lights from falling out.

Xtreme did the headlights, had to do one side anyway and the rear tail lights and a slide out step. Fixed some other stuff at the same time. We stayed in the coach the whole time, they have an apartment but it was easier for us to just stay in the coach.

They can do it all.

Stuff happens, it makes you feel sick. But it can get fixed and better.

Re: Front Cap Damaged, Insurance Question?

Reply #11 – January 12, 2019, 12:03:23 pm

We have not had such good luck with National General insurance. We had damage to the drivers side front cap when a tow strap broke back in October. Foretravel did an estimate but National General only approved about 60% of the damage repair. The adjuster says it doesn't look that bad. He has only looked at pictures and has not had a qualified representative look at it. He told me to get a second estimate and Xterm was on his list so I took it to them. Their estimate was almost $3000 more yet he still says we haven't justified the repairs. It has been very frustrating and I will definitely be changing insurance.

I would think the insurance would pay the cost to get your coach back to pre-accident condition less the deductible. If there is a lean you will be required to make the repairs. You could probably work an agreement with the repair facility to bill you separately for the modifications.

Re: Front Cap Damaged, Insurance Question?

Reply #12 – January 12, 2019, 12:33:08 pm

Quote from: ohsonew – January 12, 2019, 09:22:45 am

Tom, sorry to hear of the damage. Any pictures you would like to share?
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Quote from: ohsonew – January 12, 2019, 09:22:45 am
Tom, sorry to hear of the damage. Any pictures you would like to share?

Unfortunately I am Technically Challenged at the moment! The Computer will not allow a D/L from the phone, for whatever reason, that I cannot seem to figure the heck out! LOL

Re: Front Cap Damaged, Insurance Question?

Reply #13 – January 12, 2019, 01:02:06 pm

Quote from: Chuck Pearson – January 12, 2019, 10:35:44 am

Sounds like quotes from Foretravel and Extreme will provide what the insurance co. needs. I'd also probably get a quote for transport of the vehicle there. I know Extreme has provided quotes from emailed photos and suspect foretravel will do the same. Insurance payouts typically go to owner rather than directly to service provider. It can make a difference if you have the coach financed. Once you have legitimate quotes and the insurance co approves you are free to have whoever you wish do the work, even yourself. One of these companies was selling a kit to redo headlights which included pre molded front corners from headlights down. Might be an option.

Not a Bad idea, with Transport Costs, and I end up Driving?

If that wouldn't be construed as fraud, as I'd never wanna involve myself with that stuff, never did! I do know, you didn't imply that either, just saying! Anyway, if they only want to have it fixed, I'd do the work, if they gave me money for that! Again, I have already asked that, and told they do not?

I thought there was a Company that had a Kit....does anyone recall who that was for a Retrofit with the New Style headlights? If that can be sent to me, I can include that cost to the Insurance Company! I just have to consider all the options, I guess, and go from there, perhaps? I just want her to work right, and look good again!

I do know, I'd be a Rich man, if I had enough money to Bond Out, and never pay a Premium! Unfortunately, us Po folks, get that wonderful fee Imposed on us all! A Crystal Ball would have helped in my case, as I fortunately never had a Massive Accident to draw from a Paid-In Bond, maybe $500.00 total, that I caused, in all these years of driving? That was when I was delivering a U-320, as a Salesman for FT, actually I bent a rim in Downtown San Diego, on the Right Rear! The Company Insurance covered that, but was sure Embarrassing to me. I pride my driving record! They have very High Curbs where I was! I swung too short, because an impatient driver jumped in from my left lane, and hopped a curb! I did miss him, but knew I'd be Cited if I hit him, for being an idiot! I know, Foretravels are so hard to see, LOL Did you know that Alcoa's bend? The tire stayed intact and didn't lose air, too! LOL I certainly want no guff, now that I need them to fix something!

And then, the many different plans that Insurance offers, as added Premiums. In CA, I purchased Uninsured Motorist Coverage! Glad I did, as I had to use it 3 times in accidents caused by well, Uninsured Motorists! Had I not had that 10's of thousands in damages would have been MY responsibility! In two of those cases it was Illegals who caused them, and Both were when I was Stopped at a red Light, and was rear ended, hard! One at 50+ MPH. Totaled Both Vehicles, too! And many years visiting a Chiropractor! Their lack of responsibility as a Driver, costs US money to Insure against them! Then in PA, I now have the Option of Suing or Not Suing a Driver that causes an accident! Lawyers devised that whole scheme, for sure, as it Costs me money to have the RIGHT to sue, if I have losses the other party causes! Insurance......just like Casino's are Legal Scams!

Re: Front Cap Damaged, Insurance Question?

Reply #14 – January 12, 2019, 01:26:45 pm

I think Xtreme maybe made parts you could buy but when they did ours they made the parts when we were there. There are a lot of connection points, light mounts and other stuff that gets put in to fit. Head lights have to be aimed. Maybe you coukd do it yourself but it is the knowledge and tools that make it worth going to Xtreme.

Re: Front Cap Damaged, Insurance Question?

Reply #15 – January 12, 2019, 03:45:31 pm

Without seeing the damage, I would say when it comes to fiberglass, a good body shop can fix everything. You don't want to replace the cap. You should see how a damaged fiberglass boat can be brought back to life.

Re: Front Cap Damaged, Insurance Question?

Reply #16 – January 12, 2019, 06:00:32 pm

Extreme headlight conversion was less than insurance repair estimate on my damage to lower front cap.

Re: Front Cap Damaged, Insurance Question?

Reply #17 – January 12, 2019, 06:52:46 pm

When i had my " ut-oh" I got an estimate from the mothership and extreme. Extremes estimate was a lot lower than Foretravel.. I also sent pics and got an estimate but decided to take it to nac for an in person estimate of the actual damage. That estimate was lower than the email estimate. They have 1/8, 1/4 etc pieces for repairing the damaged spot. Mine looks as good as it did before I damaged it... I didn't claim it on insurance so the only thing that didn't look good was my wallet....... here is a pic of before and after...... not my proudest moment.....

Re: Front Cap Damaged, Insurance Question?

Reply #18 – January 12, 2019, 08:07:39 pm

My coach was damaged before I bought it. This was 7 years ago, at that time the price for a new cap from Foretravel was $18K. Don't think that included installation....

Re: Front Cap Damaged, Insurance Question?

Reply #19 – January 12, 2019, 08:52:23 pm

I recently had some body work done on mine. Brought it to MOT, FOT, and Xtreme. MOT had an outside body shop guy come out and estimate, FOT never did send me an estimate, too busy I guess. Xtreme had the lowest estimate and did a fantastic job! And very easy to work with, very accomodating, and great people.

Re: Front Cap Damaged, Insurance Question?

Reply #20 – January 13, 2019, 06:07:18 pm

Thanks ALL! I see what my Options are, by the Many Replies! Also, if anyone knows of that KIT(?), that can be had, to do the Changeover to the "New" look lighting, that would be greatly Appreciated? Can't find resource in any search? Thanks!

Any other Info is also much appreciated, as well!

Now, is a Better time than any, to decide the best course of action, and hear experiences, and thoughts on all this! Now I get to see the real worth of Insurance, or lack thereof, huh?

Re: Front Cap Damaged, Insurance Question?

Reply #21 – January 13, 2019, 07:06:10 pm

Call Rance or Greg at Xtreme to discuss

Tim Fiedler

Sure Start Soft Start - home of SureStart soft starters TCER Direct - home of Generac Approved Aluminum and Copper TCER Composite cable generator-gas-prod - home of X-Riser Gas Risers for PE installation Call me at 630 240-9139
Gen-Pro

Re: Front Cap Damaged, Insurance Question?

Reply #22 – January 13, 2019, 09:57:42 pm

You will get a kick out of James S, owner of Xtreme in that they owned the same coach as yours before they started honking/driving their current bus. My rig is similar to yours (and we got the lights done by these nice craftsmen.) Other nice thing that Rance provides customers is a walk around of your coach's condition: joints, gaps, de-lam, areas to watch for in future. He let me take notes a few years ago. Helpful info for proper care and feeding.

Good folks. Regarding your ding—a buddy heard that I tore up the endcap off of an early SOB and said, "That wouldn't have happened if you had left it in the driveway..."

That is about right,so... Floor it!

Re: Front Cap Damaged, Insurance Question?

Reply #23 – January 14, 2019, 11:40:16 am

What ever you decide to do, you being a night driver, definitly get the headlight upgrade done. Extreme quoted me $3500.00 and I was willing BUT wait time was a year out.. I ended up buying a coach with the conversion done.

Re: Front Cap Damaged, Insurance Question?

Reply #24 – January 16, 2019, 12:25:01 am

Quote from: Old Knucklehead – January 13, 2019, 09:57:42 pm

Good folks. Regarding your ding—a buddy heard that I tore up the endcap off of an early SOB and said, "That wouldn't have happened if you had left it in the driveway..."

That is about right,so... Floor it!

Love it! I like that fact, that IS where mine happened! If I floored it though, many other area's would have had been destroyed too! LOL

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