shamoo

I had two somewhat similar experiences. Maybe it could help you out. The first time, I hit some plastic thing that flew off a construction truck. The second time, some lady's Camry in front of me had some sort of rigged moonroof and it lifted up, shattered in midair, and rained down on my car (which, BTW was 1 week old).

Both times, insurance covered it under comprehensive. Only had to pay my $300 deductible, and no increase in insurance premiums. They mentioned one important piece of information.

If the object you hit was in the air when you hit it, it's covered under comprehensive. If the object you hit hit the ground FIRST, then you hit it, then it's collision (insurance rates will go up).

skier219

I drove longways over an aluminum extension ladder when I first got my 05 S2000. Going about 70mph on the highway, the driver's wheels of the car drove over it, making a loud buzz as each wheel hit a rung. I was really scared the car was damaged, but there was not a scratch on it. I think it was just pure luck that the ladder was lined up with the direction of travel, and the wheels rode over it. Had it been sitting on the road differently, or went under the car body, I think I would have been screwed. At the time, it was a little comical because I remember thinking "what is that, oh it's a ladder" and then before I could react there was a "b-zzzzzzz-t" and the car was over it. Zero time to react.

As to the original question, sometimes you can make a claim with the city/town if they are responsible for the road hazard (like a massive pothole that breaks a wheel), but I can't see how you can establish they have a connection to this case. They are not responsible for random debris on the road.

shamoo

Well, really? There are people who monitor highways to make sure it's clean of debris, right? Every once in a while, you will see those bigass trucks with the black/yellow warning markings all over it driving slow and stopping to pick up stuff on the road.

hariku821

I was in a ford tarus (my first car) on the highway going about 65. My mom was riding with me. Their was a truck in front of me with some boxes and cars behind and beside me. One of the boxes fall off the truck and my mom freaks and puts her head between her knees under the dash.. The box was the size of box that a say 30inch crt tv comes in so it wasn't small and i couldn't avoid it. So i smashed it it was full of insulation that went every ware. Was pretty cool.. I was damn lucky it wasn't a tv or anything besides a bunch of insulation. Got out to check for damage at the toll gate and the only thing wrong was the front licenses plate was bent a little..

takeshi

Precisely. They're not responsible for instant removal of debris.

centralcoastbuc

GEICO sucks! I had a similar incident with Allstate and it was deemed comprehensive with no effect on my insurance. (the bill was over 7k in damage)

shotiable

sucks... i hate those contractor trucks. i know at least one person who wrecked their RSX because of a broom falling off those trucks.

OverBooster

This similar thing happened to Drunken_Monk in California. He hit a department of highways orange cone that was left out. He filed a complaint with the department requesting compensation and they told him tough luck. The state expects drivers to be competent and aware of road obstacles in order to avoid them.

Think about how hard it would be to prove the state or town was negligent anyway.