Auto Insurance Claims: Impossible to damage spark plugs in a collision., insurance adjustor, heavy rubber

Question
Hello,
I was in an accident last week where I was rear-ended and knocked into the car stopped in front of me.  There was over $5000 worth of damage to the front and rear ('01 Blazer) and the whole car started shaking when I started it after getting hit.  The service shop said the shaking problem was because of the engine misfiring caused by a burnt out spark plug and wire.  However, both the insurance adjustor and the mechanic told me "it's impossible to damage a spark plug in a collision" and the damage would not be covered.  I don't understand how they can say it's impossible for anything to be damaged in a wreck, after all the entire vehicle absorbs the impact.  Have you ever heard of this before?  Is there anything I can do to have them cover the cost of the engine repair?
Thank you in advance.

Answer
Hi Michelle,
I an not a qualified mechanic, but I have been a licensed driver for 50 years and know that spark plugs and their wire do burn out on occasion.
To me, it sounds like a freak situation where that just happened at the same time of the accident.
The engine bay sits deep in the vehicle and is well protected by the surrounding body.  The engine itself is bolted directly to the frame and there are heavy rubber shocks between the engine and the frame.
Except in cases when there is a roll-over and something protrudes through the hood into the engine bay, or the front end damage is so severe that it forces the radiator back into the fan and then back into the engine, there is no way that the engine can be damaged.
Since a qualified mechanic is making this same statement, I can see no way that you can recover for the cost of the spark plug and wire.
I hope this has been of help.
Your feedback by rating my answer will be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Bennie
San Francisco Bay Area 12-06-07 1:42 PM PST