Gravel and Tar

[ReserveBum]

I was riding the backroads of East TN earlier this week when I happened upon some road construction. Was a two lane road with no turn offs for a few miles. Long story short - there was some kind of issue with the construction and they should have closed the road. The gravel was small, loose and the tar was wet. A real mess. Cant turn around, had to go about a mile before I could get off. Gravel everywhere in the bike.....calipers, under fork brace, and in fan opening to the point it blocked the fan. Called highway department and they confirmed they had a problem and had multiple complaints. Hooked me up with a insurance adjuster. So the front fender is coated with tar inside and out. I cleaned all the gravel out (that I could find). I didnt plan to take it to dealer for estimate. My question is about my claim....what do y'all think is a fair amount to ask?

[tenxxx]

They may only offer you a take it or leave price. Or the adjuster may give a "ball park" figure.

[taxfree4]

If there is a dealer near you let him give you an estimate, whatever they give you, hopefully the exact amount, sue them in small claims for the balance. Once they have a verified estimate from a dealer I can't see them giving you less. They have already admitted there was a problem.

[Eternalydamd]

If there is a dealer near you let him give you an estimate, whatever they give you, hopefully the exact amount, sue them in small claims for the balance. Once they have a verified estimate from a dealer I can't see them giving you less. They have already admitted there was a problem.

This right here.

[F6Bster]

Yep, that sucks! Once in Wyoming on a rural road where they were doing “chip and seal” they ran out of gravel, so just put down the tar! Avoided much if it but just a mess. I think the construction crew has now been promoted to be the senior people in DOT in DC!!!

[F6Dave]

I'd think like any insurance claim you'll need documentation of monetary loss, either an adjuster's estimate or a receipt from a shop. If you already cleaned off some of the mess it could be a tough sell unless you have photos.

The biggest mess I ever had to clean was a plastic bag that melted all over the exhaust headers on my Valkyrie. If paint could bond to metal that well nothing would ever rust!