by Harpinc » Tue Jan 01, 2008 04:48 pm
My family was rear ended by a Mini Van at approx. 45-50 mph.. My truck sustained mostly fram damage and the preliminary estimate from the body shop is almost $20,000.. My question is that I have only owned this truck for 10 months and do not think that any body shop should take every component off of my frame and put it on a new one... I am really worried about getting my truck back and later experiencing engine or drivetrain problems.. What happens then, I doubt the insurance company will be around when I am stranded on the side of the road while towing my trailer????? What are my options for dealing wiht that????
Thanks
Thanks
Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 11:31 pm Post Subject:
Your mini van would need to be worth about $36k in order not to be considered a total loss.
If your van is repairable, you need to pick a repair shop that you trust. Once the repairs are known, speak to the shop and see what they can tell you about the repairs that will be made and even how they will be done.
Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 09:46 am Post Subject:
If your van is repairable, you need to pick a repair shop that you trust.
The best thing to do :D
Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:34 am Post Subject:
Hi Harpinc, most of us feel the same crunch_in¬_the_stomach when we need to send our MVs to the body shop. Normally, one has two options either to send the vehicle to the body shop, registered with the insurer or search and find one of his own.
Tcope has given you the right suggestion, you should send your vehicle to the trusted auto repair shop and monitor the repair work as closely as possible.
Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 12:08 pm Post Subject:
Am I reading your thread wrong, you were hit BY the mini van right? You were driving the truck?
Anyway, I was crunched between two full size vehicles, I was stopped behind one waiting to turn and a full size pickup hit and shoved me into the rodeo, I was in a little geo tracker, it sustained a little over $8000 of damage, I only paid a little over $12,000 for it, It was only about 6 months old. I thought they should have totalled it, the unibody/frame was twisted to hell and back, but they fixed it.
I could never get that vehicle lined up right again, I took it back for tire wear and alignment several times, I never had an issue prior to the accident, I know this was result of it. About a year later, I opened the door and it fell off, the bolts had pulled through the body. These are very light doors, the guy that fixed it said that the body was weaked by the crash and caused rust that I could not see from the outside of the vehicle.
Unfortunately both of these (expensive) and constant repair was all mine, because the insurance company had already paid to have the vehicle fixed and it was inspected and supposedly good to go. They did not even want to hear about defects caused by the accident later. If I had it to do all over again, I would have traded it out as soon as I got it back and new looking and spiffy. If this ever happens to me again in a newer vehicle, I am trading it out and starting over because I know about what can happen down the road, I mean if it is a substantial amount of damage. My warranty on the vehicle did not cover the above items either because of the accident, the dealer said it was not covered a year later. So I cancelled my useless warranty too.
I know this probably does not help, but I wanted to share this experience with you so that you know what happens 6 months or a year down the road. $20, 000 is alot of damage and how they can even say that amount is repairable is beyond me. It is your decision to keep it or not after you get it back.
I wish you luck, better luck than I had.
Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 12:55 pm Post Subject:
Good morning Harpinc and welcome...
I'm so sorry about this accident, and glad that you are ok...
tcope you read this wrong...
Your mini van would need to be worth about $36k in order not to be considered a total loss
mini van hit his 07 f250 which depending on options is probably worth every bit of 36k...My truck sustained mostly fram damage and the preliminary estimate from the body shop is almost $20,000.. My question is that I have only owned this truck for 10 months and do not think that any body shop should take every component off of my frame and put it on a new one
... I know this sounds scary, but more than likley they are replacing the entire frame, I've completed this on several vehicles throughout the years...without complaint...it's really not as bad as it sounds...of course this depends TOTALLY on the shop you use...I am really worried about getting my truck back and later experiencing engine or drivetrain problems.. What happens then, I doubt the insurance company will be around when I am stranded on the side of the road while towing my trailer?????
Actually they will/should be...did they offer you the option of going to one of their preferred shops that they back the work? If so on a job of this size I would definately take them up on it...this means that in addition to the shops warranty the insurance company will gaurantee their work, for life...or as long as you own the vehicle....What are my options for dealing wiht that????
You always have the option of not repairing the vehicle...in other words taking the money for the repair, (20k) then selling your vehicle as is...more than likely (depending on if it is 4x4 and if diesel and assuming motor etc are good) the salvage bid on this truck could be 10-20k it's self...then you could start all over (meaning buying another vehicle)...or you could of course repair it and sell it then....dimished value...maybe, you'll need to check your states rules on dimished value claims...I would suggested that you immediately advise the adjuster you are looking for a dimished value claim, should you chose to repair this vehicle...good natured, I'm sorry but this just isn't true....
the guy that fixed it said that the body was weaked by the crash and caused rust that I could not see from the outside of the vehicle.
These repairs where not completed correctly or there wouldn't have been any rust...I promise you...another thing, the vehicle the OP has is a ladder frame where your's is a unibody...and they are (surely) replacing his entire frame, you can't do that with a unibody...(his bolts on and off).....They did not even want to hear about defects caused by the accident later.
Was it fixed at one of ''their'' shops? If not (and all don't offer this)...then they will 'walk away' ...if not and was at a preferred or backed shop, wish i'd have known you then....cause we could've got this straighten out.... :wink:OP if you would like to provide any more information (re: exact vehicle you have re:options etc) I would be happy to run a value for you to see where/how close it is to totalling...another thing too for you to think about is, since you've only had it 10months....unless you have GAP insurance or put a substantial amount down (assuming it's financed) then if they did total it you could be way upside down....in other words left owing a balance on it with no vehicle.....
Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance to you at all.......
Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 06:11 am Post Subject:
Who's on first?
It was one of those days...
I'm sure it will be one tomorrow as well...
Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 11:28 am Post Subject:
Who's on first?
It was one of those days...
I'm sure it will be one tomorrow as well...
preachin' to the choir brother!
Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 06:37 pm Post Subject:
Thanks for the input... No I only owe about 24k on my truck.. It looks like they are going to fix it with a new frame and a completet rear assembly at which point I will pick it up and probably go trade for a new 08 GMC 2500.
The actual estimate is $18000 which I am sure will go up after they get everything apart.. But oh well it seems that with these insurance companies you pretty much only get what they are willing to give you(within reason) unless you are seriously injured.. :roll:
Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 11:19 pm Post Subject:
I did not see what State you live in. Each State has different rules as to whether or not a frame can be replaced. In some States they do not allow you to replace the frame and the vehicle is deemed totaled. In another State if you replace the frame and another major component like an engine or the cab panel, then it's a total loss. In most states it is acceptable to place the frame which is normally a brand new part from the factory.
I agree with Lori, if the insurance company has a direct repair program I would have one of their shops repair the vehicle so you would have someone besides the shop stand behind the warranty on the repairs.
Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 04:21 am Post Subject:
I am in Georgia... Anyone know the deal here?????
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