Wife hit an elk!

[huffelpuff]

It's been one of those days here in wonderful Wyoming. As many of you know my youngest daughter had a kidney transplant just over a year ago. Well she had labs done late last week and they were off and the Dr wasn't happy. He wanted her down in Denver at 10 this morning for a kidney biopsy. Ok no problem. Wife takes her down and all goes as well as can be expected. They headed home and about 25 miles from the house my wife hit a flipping elk! Deployed both front airbags, trashed the bumper, grill, head light, and I don't know what else. They aren't home yet they had to go back to the hospital to make sure Katie doesn't have any internal bleeding from the biopsy site. To cap it all my insurance company is going to weasel out of paying because they only insure Colorado cars and we just registered the car in Wyoming Friday. I just needed to vent, thanks for listening!

Jim

 

[Stick]

Hey Jim. That's a real bummer. Not good for all involved, including of course the elk. I'm assuming your good lady and Katie came away from the adventure unscathed, and that of course is the main thing. Keep us posted on that one... I've seen the damage a deer can do to a car in Blighty so an elk must be like hitting a house.

 

[Fatman]

Wow, that stinks! Hopefully your family is ok. The insurance bit really sucks!

 

[Brewdude]

Scary stuff Jim. Hope your wife and daughter are OK.

There's a large Elk herd that circulates around my area, and just last week someone had run into a large one while I was on my way into work.

I've had several relatively close calls myself. Those Elk are big as horses!


Cheers,

RR

 

[Mozjo33]

Good to hear they are both safe.

 

[RDPipes]

It's been one of those days here in wonderful Wyoming. As many of you know my youngest daughter had a kidney transplant just over a year ago. Well she had labs done late last week and they were off and the Dr wasn't happy. He wanted her down in Denver at 10 this morning for a kidney biopsy. Ok no problem. Wife takes her down and all goes as well as can be expected. They headed home and about 25 miles from the house my wife hit a flipping elk! Deployed both front airbags, trashed the bumper, grill, head light, and I don't know what else. They aren't home yet they had to go back to the hospital to make sure Katie doesn't have any internal bleeding from the biopsy site. To cap it all my insurance company is going to weasel out of paying because they only insure Colorado cars and we just registered the car in Wyoming Friday. I just needed to vent, thanks for listening!

Jim

Jim, Just be thankful they didn't hit it at a higher rate of speed and it didn't end up in the vehicle with them. People have died from lesser collisions.
As far as the insurance company, Well that's what they are and that's what they do, it's to be expected nowadays. Insurance companies aint no different then the oil companies, there all scum. Give them a good cussing out in person if you can and walk away from them. That should relive a lot of built up tension and put a smile on your face at the same time.    I know it would me. :mrgreen: 

 

[huffelpuff]

Wife and daughter are both fine! That's the important thing. They are a bit bruised but fine otherwise. The car well I gotta hand it to Nissan they had been driving for two hours when they hit the elk and it broke the radiator but the car didn't overheat even on the half hour limp to the local ER! So pics or it didn't happen right.





Oh yes and a great big thank you one and all for your concern it's greatly appreciated!

Jim

 

[Richard Burley]

Re the insurance: I would talk to a lawyer, just to see for sure what's what.

 

[huffelpuff]

Good advice for sure! Thanks

 

[MisterE]

Sorry about the damage, but I'm really glad it wasn't worse. My dad totaled his Honda CRV a few years ago running into a whitetail. Elks are easily twice as big!

Between you and Hermit, the insurance companies rank very high on my S-list!  :evil: 

Sending good vibes for your daughter's continued recovery!

 

[taharris]

Elk steak for dinner?

 

[huffelpuff]

Thanks Mr E, yeah things could have ended really badly.

Todd, I wish he disappeared into the trees beside the road and they never would have found him in the dark. I wasn't too happy about that he would have dressed out close to 500 lbs. from the description I got.

 

[taharris]

Thanks Mr E, yeah things could have ended really badly.

Todd, I wish he disappeared into the trees beside the road and they never would have found him in the dark. I wasn't too happy about that he would have dressed out close to 500 lbs. from the description I got.

That's a shame. The least he could have done is buy you dinner...

 

[Growley]

I'm glad to hear everyone is mainly ok. When it rains it pours huh...

When I lived in Michigan I had to be on the lookout all the time for deer. I can't imagine having to keep a look out for elk!

 

[i.keenum]

Bummer brother, where you still paying them for coverage? If so how could the make you pay for a car that they did cover, at the very least you could demand a refund for paying them for a car that they weren't even covering.

 

[Richard Burley]

Bummer brother, where you still paying them for coverage? If so how could the make you pay for a car that they did cover, at the very least you could demand a refund for paying them for a car that they weren't even covering.

That's what I'm thinkin'. Somethin' ain't right.

 

[huffelpuff]

It's an odd set up for sure. They only insure in 3 states Colorado, California, and I believe Arizona. Technically as soon as I put Wyoming plates on the car it's no longer their baby. So yes a refund was issued from that date. I did check with a friend of mine who was an adjuster for years. He said one car accident no police report don't go there as they will total the car when it's fixable for about $1,000. Factoring in the $500 deductible it's not worth the hassle or the rate increases that will stick with us for years. So joy of joys I get to play mechanic.

On a less happy note Katie's biopsy results came back as being in an active rejection of the transplant. So she'll be spending the next week in the ICU getting infusions of ATG and solumedrol (IV steroids).

 

[KevinM]

I am sorry to hear of this streak of travail you and your family are going through. May I ask if you read your insurance policy? Doesn't the policy have a grace period for those who move out of state? Or is there language in the policy that specifically warns that your policy is void if you move out of state? If not, you may have a case. Does your current and past state of residence have a consumer protection department? An insurance commissioner? Perhaps they could offer some helpful guidance. I'd say you're a victim of a semi-legal fraud. I hope matters turn around for you and your family.

 

[huffelpuff]

Kevin they covered themselves well. As soon as you move out of the coverage area they're no longer your insurance company. The bright side is I've already sourced and priced all the parts. The actual damage only amounts to 1,035 with new parts. If I'm lucky and can find one in the junk yard the price will be half that or less. Lesson learned national providers only from now on! Thanks for the well wishes!

 

[RonA3597]

Jim, I'm sorry to hear about Katie. The medicos can do wonders to stop rejection, shut down the entire immune system if necessary. You all are in my thoughts through this tough time.