Driving along in middle lane of 95 the other night, when suddenly, an 18wheeler ahead in the right lane appeared to have either dropped (maybe from the back of the cab/between the trailer? or run over a reddish bucket about the size of a fully intact orange Home Depot bucket. Either way, said bucket propelled itself directly in front of my Model S and I could not avoid. Was on autopilot with hand on wheel but it was night/raining and I saw said bucket at precisely the same time the red collision warning sound went off and braking began. But still slammed into said bucket. Was expecting the entire front bumper cover to be shredded but damage was limited to black protective underpanel, drivers side wheelwell liner, and some small damage to the front bumper cover in the form of two dents/indentations across the lower horizontal portion accompanying fine spider web type cracks in the paint by those two impact points.
Insurance has categorized it as comprehensive vs collision, as the obstacle definitely wasnt stationary and was unavoidable. So no insurance rate increase and only the $250 deductible. I suspect the SC will want to replace the entire front bumper cover. Not sure how a body shop would handle. Also has protective film which I will need to address separately. The wheelwell liner was pushed backwards and rubbing against the tire for a few miles, hence the hole. As seen in the pics, the remaining portion is tucked back into the bumper cover.
What say you? SC or body shop for fastest yet best repair?
Insurance has categorized it as comprehensive vs collision, as the obstacle definitely wasnt stationary and was unavoidable. So no insurance rate increase and only the $250 deductible. I suspect the SC will want to replace the entire front bumper cover. Not sure how a body shop would handle. Also has protective film which I will need to address separately. The wheelwell liner was pushed backwards and rubbing against the tire for a few miles, hence the hole. As seen in the pics, the remaining portion is tucked back into the bumper cover.
What say you? SC or body shop for fastest yet best repair?
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