Plate bumpers & insurance companies

Question for you guys with plate bumpers.

For argument sake, as long as you didn't have a crazy lift and your plate bumper was within the specified range of height off the ground according to state laws, could an insurance company go after you for using an "off road only" plate bumper if you were to rear end someone if you weren't using a DOT approved one?

Reason I'm asking is that I'd like to go with one of the smaller independents (Pelfreybilt, Demello, Relentless) for a bumper but I don't think any those ones are DOT approved as far as I can tell from their websites.

ARB is DOT approved but I'm not quite as fond of the looks of it compared to the others.

Any wisdom on the legalities which may be involved here?

 

If you rear-end someone... does it matter? I'm unaware of too many instances where you wouldn't be at fault regardless of what bumper you had on your rig.

 

This is interesting to me, as I am going to get a demello 3 hoop sometime in The future. I've often wondered this:

Say I rear end somebody. Could my current insurance company state that my truck caused more damage because of the bumper? Or if I were to be hit by somebody else causing a similar issue? Then of course they would try to refuse to pay for all the damage. Maybe that's just a paranoid way of thinking. I feel like those bumpers will cause a lot more damage to another vehicle than my current stock setup.

Don't mean to thread jack but I think that's pretty well aligned with what the op is looking for. If nothing else it's a bump lol

 

This would also insinuate that less damage is being done to your truck which would also have to be covered by your insurance company under the same deductible. It's a net neutral as far as they're concerned and not worth the negative publicity.

 

Oh there is no question that you would be at fault. My question is if you had an aftermarket non-dot approved bumper on your rig and you caused x amount of damage to the other guys vehicle, could your own insurance company say something like "you have to pay all the damages to the other guys vehicle, not just the deductible because you were using a non DOT approved vehicle modification"

Anyone experience something like this?

 

Exactly what I'm wondering.....

 

Check your state law regarding bumpers, yes there is one in every state. It specifies the height and other criteria. If you meet those requirements then you'll be fine.

But, insurance companies routinely include in their policy wording that if you lower or raise your bumper height you have to inform them in writing, and I have heard this results in termination of your insurance policy BTW unless you return your bumper to factory ride height.

 

If the bumper falls into the required height from the ground though as per state laws for the specified GVWR though, why should should it matter what the factory ride height is. ie. If my plate bumper is sitting less than 27" from the ground (http://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=204-10-022) I should still be legal in the eyes of the state at least. Whether the insurance companies think so or not is another matter.

Then there is this:
(g) If an existing bumper from a recognized manufacturer is not used and a special bumper is fabricated, it must be certified as meeting the bumper standards set under 49 C.F.R. 581.

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/search/pagedetails.action?collectionCode=CFR&searchPath=Title+49/Subtitle+B/Chapter+V/Part+581&granuleId=CFR-2011-title49-vol7-part581&packageId=CFR-2011-title49-vol7&oldPath=Title+49/Subtitle+B/Chapter+V/Part+581&fromPageDetails=true&collapse=true&ycord=1949

Part 581 deals with testing of fabricated bumpers using a pendulum for impact.

 

Since you live in Washington as I do...

WAC 204-10-022

As you alluded to OP there is wording referencing the Federal standard for aftermarket bumpers (aka "fabricated"). It is dismal news for aftermarket bumpers that are not DOT approved. Essentially it could be used against a person involved in an accident to say the bumper caused additional damage or failed to protect from damage adequately. Either way insurance companies are sure to utilize this to their advantage if needed.

Anyway the main thing is to survive the accident, so make certain the front bumper is airbag compatible.

I have an ARB up front and can attest it rocks for hitting things at low speeds offroad. Demolishes them! But on road at high speed that same bumper will not provide as much crumple zone and result in more damage to both my vehicle and passengers and the other vehicle. I could see an insurance company arguing this point.

But hey gotta live.

 

I had a steel plate bumper on my JK. I rear ended a Camry. For me it was some scuffed powder coat, for the Camry it was a caved in trunk and rear corners. No problem with insurance. No deductible due to a good driving record (previously haha).

 

In a head on collision with a warn plate bumper on my jeep in WA against a Honda totaled the car. My jeep had moderate damage as it hit the front axle too.

No questions from the police, insurance appraiser, insurance company, auto shop or anyone regarding the bumper. I'd think as long as your lift was mild (3" or less) and your bumper didn't look like it was designed by Frankenstein you would be fine. Insurance agents have better things to do than research the unknown brand of your bumper they know nothing about and see if it is DOT certified.

 

Called my insurance company at one point when I had my camper shell put on, thought I might have to add it to my policy. Was told that any mods I do to my truck are covered automatically and that there is no reason to inform them. Mind you, my policy only covers liability not damage to my truck if I am at fault, but I was pleased to learn that my ins. will go after at fault parties for the full value of any and all mods/contents that are on/in my truck!

 

Thanks for the feedback mountainwolfpup, brjw, crashnburn80 & wheelinthesky!

 

Sorry but that is not what that means. Liability Only Insurance means they'll pay out to other parties you have damaged.

If someone damages you then you are on your own entirely to fight with them and their insurer, if they have insurance. Your insurance co won't help you. And since they never pay out for your repairs they wouldn't care what mods you've made and you are correct any and all mods won't affect your premium since they are not covered .

 

I don't think ins companies are worried about our small 1/2 ton pickups when they have full sized 1 ton pickups with bumpers that weigh 1/4 of what our total truck weight is with 4' lifts and 40 inch tires. Then again I'm in Texas so it might be different than your state.

 

I don't see anything in your post that differs from my understanding of liability coverage. Am I missing something here?

 

I guess my main take-away from this thread is just to okay the bumper with my insurance co before I buy it. As long as they won't deny coverage because of it I'll be a happy camper.

 

This is a very good question that currently ultimately comes down to the insurance, the other driver and the law of your given state. In doing this for the last 13years I've never heard of a case where someone was found more at fault because of their vehicle modification. BUT it is a concern for all aftermarket manufactures. As one bad incident where someone is motivated to become an activist to get modifications banned on public road vehicles could possibly happen in the future. It is a very grey area of the law but a obvious target would be the huge lifted trucks because their bumpers are so high and could cause serious injury or death to a smaller car. I know from personal experience my insurance has never thought twice about covering damages to my cars even with extensive modifications.

 

Thanks for weighing in JDemello - sweet bumpers you have too!

 

Who's your insurance company? LOL

I just exchanged emails with my agent today. Asked about itemizing my mods (suspension upgrade, skid plates I'm about to put on, stereo) so I can make sure they are covered in case of a loss. I'm waiting to hear back from their underwriter.

I would imagine they insure your vehicle based on the perceived statistical risks to them based on the vehicle, your zip code, and your driving record. The higher the value of your vehicle (and contents) the greater their financial liability potential.