Problem Found After Repairs from Accident, Can I Get Coverage?

[drjoeshmoe]

My wife was involved in an accident where she was 100% not at fault.
I need to check my records but the repairs were done about 2 months ago.
The damage was to the front end, just the other day some family following us alerted us that the 3rd brake light was not working, I just expected to change the bulb, however when I took the panel off to change the bulb I found the mount had come loose and the bulb/mount was melted very badly. I believe it is highly possible that the jolt from the accident made the bulb housing come loose and short/or melt the surrounding mount.

Being she was not at fault and this was about 2 months ago, what are the chances the insurance company would honor the repair?
I have ameriprise (IDS Property insurance).
Car is a 2002 toyota highlander.
I have attached some photos of the damage.

 

[FullAuto]

Where was the primary impact from the loss? Unless it was hit in the rear, it's unlikely they will cover that.

 

[drjoeshmoe]

Where was the primary impact from the loss? Unless it was hit in the rear, it's unlikely they will cover that.

The impact was to the front/passanger side.

 

[xrac]

The impact was to the front/passanger side.

Probably nothing to do with the accident. Over time some bulb sockets are prone to failure including melting. Happens a lot.

 

[jonterns]

I think that it would be very hard to prove that the damage was caused by the accident. Even after two months, many people are still upset by the accident and every little thing that goes wrong with their car is a direct result of the accident to them. You could still give it a try, it doesn't hurt.