When the tractor trailer damaged my car they took out part of the roof rack, both rails were bent, two of the mounts were damaged and one of the bike carriers were bent. Rack probably saved me from losing both side windows and the windshield. Insurance company originally didn't want to pay on it claiming it was a part of the car, also tried telling me if it was included the car would have to be totaled. I argued it didn't come with the car and was installed after market, therefore it was a separate item and covered separately. Took an extra 3 weeks for them to pay up but I wasn't going to settle till they covered it and they did. Probably helped that in my case their driver was deemed fully at fault as they weren't supposed to legally drive on that road since they couldn't fit under the overpasses.