This week has not been a great week for me either.

Well, they finally found a front pump for my transmission (second front pump in 75,000 miles!).

While the trans was being redone, I've been renting an intermediate car from Enterprise - a 2019 Grand Caravan. (Well, no intermediates, so I pay that price for the GC).

Sunday, the birds used the van as target practice after eating the bird equivalent to ExLax.

Monday, I went to get the GC washed.

So I drive into the car wash.

The wash starts.

It reaches the antenna (which didn't unscrew or lift out for me).

It GRABS the antenna, and RIPS it out of the fender, then proceeds to beat the windshield and cracks it with the antenna before throwing it over 40 feet ...

And my truck is a 1988 Dakota. No comprehensive.

*facepalms*

Not too bad, the parts to fix the antenna are $65, it's fairly easy to fix, and the windshield is about $320 at a local shop.

RwP

I carry comprehensive on everything. Even an old utiility trailer I've had for 30 years. Usually about $3 every 6 months. Even my old beaters that don't have collision. If I hit a deer or a tree falls on it, I'm good.

Ouch Ralph...... Just to let you know.... I care!!

That really stinks Ralph. If you used your credit card check with them they often insure you if you use the card to rent a car. Mine does.

Anyone want a slightly battered brick wall?

Turns out you're right, even in Louisiana!

$15/month I get $300,000 comp, $100 deduct, and 0 deduct on windshield replacement, with $40/day rental reimbursment. In LOUISIANA!!!!

That's over the $92/month I've been paying for 50/100/50 collision ...

(And that's now 100/300/50 ... )

Too late for this bout, but NOW I know!

(The wall is because I walked outside and slammed my head against the brick wall a few times .... hard head won.)

RwP

Don't do that!!! Brick walls are EXPENSIVE!!!

Seriously, the inner cheap skate watches the pennies. Why, when I bought my CX-5, one reason is it has Scottish brakes. That means it will stop on a dime......and pick it up. I have cheap insurance because I've had the same policy with the same agent for 40+ years and have my house there too. I don't know about Louisiana, but I've heard New Jersey is really pricey. I drove a truck down in Cajun ****ry in the early 70's but the company paid for the insurance on their truck. I go down to Gulfport Ms. from time to time and we may head over to New Orleans, but I have Indiana insurance.

Just remember, experience is what you get right after you needed it in the first place.

Not real well-versed in car washes and the law, but wouldn't the car wash be liable for the damages to the rental vehicle?

Not really; they have the sign up "Remove antennas, close mirrors".

Besides, it wasn't their fault for leaving the antenna on!

RwP

Most of the shops I've worked at have signs posted "Not responsible for incidental damages to cars in parking lot" and what not. Doesn't mean it's legally binding. Usually just serves to scare people from taking them to small claims court when Bubba, the oil and tire changer, knocks off a mirror by parking too close, and the shop blames it on vandals or another customer.

I could see an antenna whipping around scratching the paint, or even getting whipped enough to hit the windshield, but to physically rip it out of the mounting, seems like something is very wrong with that car wash's equipment. But it's your $385, do what you want with it.

Pump located and ordered.

Should be in by Thursday, I would then have the truck back possibly Friday.

RwP