Date:         Fri, 6 Sep 2013 22:10:33 -0400
Reply-To:     "kimbrennan@mac.com" <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "kimbrennan@mac.com" <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Subject:      Re: Hit a deer today in my Vanagon
Comments: To: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <1378518340.18547.YahooMailNeo@web184903.mail.gq1.yahoo.com>
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Hit one last winter. I think the check was around $2800 ($100 deductible). My insurance appraiser said (and found) that sometimes the damage is subtle. I had fiberglass bumper (which got damaged in addition to everything else you mentioned.) Rather than buy a replacement fiberglass bumper, I bought a GoWesty steel one for less than the cost of the fiberglass one. 

Choose your own repair shop, not the Insurance company's. I had a trusted one I could go to (Antwerpen Smashshop west of Baltimore Md.) Looks better than when I first bought my camper. 

On Sep 6, 2013, at 9:45 PM, Richard Koerner wrote:

> Was up in the Eastern Sierras; a place near Mammoth Ski area.  Place called June Lake (Gull Lake specifically).  Perfect.  Went kayaking on lake in afternoon, paddling into wind then letting wind sail me home.
> 
> So I get up early this am for the long drive home (450 miles?).  Around 7:30 am.  Empty straight hiway.  Around 45 MPH, no hurry.  Then....there they were...two of them, small, young...instantaneous.  Darted out across road; no reaction time. Missed the first one, hit the second.  Ugh.  Passenger side.  Smashed lower grill, signal light, tore rubber strip of passenger side of bumper, mashed license plate, and of course front end body damage. No damage to cooling system, thank God.  

> 
> 
> Drove the 450 miles home.  Now, time to report to insurance company.  I have $500 deductible I think.  I'm betting this will be about a $2000 job...not nearly as easy as a fender, lots of folds and creases in the front end.
> 
> Any words of advice before I call insurance company tomorrow to start claim process?
> 
> Rich
> San Diego
> 85 Vanagon, 208,000 wonderful miles, original everything except interior with homemade camper setup.  Not a Westy; a tintop.  Alpine White.  4 speed tranny.  Everything is in perfect condition.
> 
> ....glum....