You rode a tight trail. Your shiny new $30,000 RZR is now covered in deep scratches (“desert pinstriping”) from mesquite bushes. It looks terrible. You want to file a Comprehensive claim to replace the plastics and repaint the cage. The adjuster says, “That’s wear and tear.”
Key Takeaways
- Sudden vs. Gradual: Insurance covers “accidents.” Driving through brush is often viewed as intentional exposure to normal off-road conditions (wear and tear).
- The “One Occurrence” Rule: If you want to claim scratches on all four sides, the insurer might count that as four separate claims (Right side, Left side, Front, Rear). You would owe four deductibles.
- Resale Value: Pinstriping kills resale, but insurance doesn’t pay for “Diminished Value” on off-road toys.
- Vinyl Wraps: A wrap is the best insurance. It protects the paint. If the wrap gets torn, it’s easier to claim as a specific damage event (CPE coverage).
The “Why” (The Trap): Intended Use
An off-road vehicle is designed to go off-road. Getting scratched by branches is part of the sport.
The Clause:
“We do not cover damage due to wear and tear, marring, scratching, or deterioration.”
However, if you hit a specific large branch that cracked the hood, that is a collision claim.
The Investigation: Filing the Claim
I asked an adjuster about “The Pinstripe Claim.”
- Adjuster: “If a customer sends photos of general scratching, we deny it as wear and tear. If they say ‘I sideswiped a tree avoiding a deer,’ and the damage is consistent with a single impact, we pay.”
- The Cost: Replacing all plastics on a Can-Am X3 is $3,500.
- The Math: Deductible (
1,000).Payout(1,000).Payout(2,500). Premium Increase ($500/year for 3 years). - Verdict: You pay $1,500 extra over 3 years to get $2,500. Not worth it.
Comparison Table: Cosmetic Damage
| Damage Type | Coverage Status | Deductible Applies? |
| All-over Pinstriping | Denied (Wear & Tear) | N/A |
| Cracked Fender (Impact) | Covered (Collision) | Yes |
| Deep Gouge (Single Event) | Covered (Collision) | Yes |
| Faded Plastic (Sun) | Denied | N/A |
[IMAGE: Close up photo of deep scratches on UTV plastic door]
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Don’t Claim Scratches: It flags you as a petty claimant. Save your claims for total losses or major crashes.
- Wrap It: Spend $500 on a heavy-duty vinyl wrap. When you sell the bike, peel it off to reveal fresh plastics.
- Buff It: Learn to use a DA polisher. Most pinstripes come out.
- Claim Cracks Only: If a branch cracks the plastic, claim the crack. The scratches are collateral.
FAQ
Does Ceramic Coating help?
It makes it easier to clean, but it won’t stop a mesquite branch from digging into the plastic.