Looks like it’s totaled

Got rear ended a few weeks ago. The frame crumpled in the crumple zone. Insurance appraiser came out today and said he’s 95% sure the insurance company will total my truck because they will want to replace the frame.

im taking it to a guy on Saturday to see what he will charge to fix it.

It’s a 2017 DCLB TRD OR 4wd. With 130k

I’d like to buy it back if it’s reasonable and not crazy $$$ to repair.

I’ve never been through this process before.

Any ballpark range numbers anyone can throw out who have been through this experience before for what the buyback price would entail?

it’s registered in MT. But I’m in TX. I’m guessing it would need to be inspected after repairs and I would need to mail the title back to MT to get a salvage title?

Pre wreck picture added. And picture showing the frame.

 

I would want to have it inspected by a frame shop before even thinking about buying it back.
If the suspension mounting points all measured out within spec and it was just the rear bumper horns that were bent then I would do a buy back for the right price. But you also need to check with your insurance carrier and you state laws to see if it was even worth it.

If insurance required you to have a new frame put in just to be able to put insurance on it, then it would not be worth it. Some insurance companies wont insure salvaged cars unless they have a rebuilt title.
Rebuilt title can also cause some issues with your state. The state may require a frame to get it titled correctly.

If you have to put a new frame on it, then you are going to want to shoot for paying 20-25% of its value. Insurance knows they can sell it at auction for parts for more than what you can pay, do the repair, and get it titled again without it costing you more than its worth.

Parts alone for the frame replacement will probably cost you in the 6-8k range. If you did the repair yourself, your in for under 10k and a few weeks of work.
So with that said, if they want 15k for the truck as it sits and you have to replace the frame, then your looking at 25k for a salvaged truck.

Now, if you can get around not putting a frame in there, you can find a frame shop that will pull the frame into spec for about 1000. You will 100% see the frame has been pulled, so its not something you can hide from inspections.

 

OUCH!!! Hoping you are ok!

 

Titled and plated in the Montana Loophole state - I’d guess Montana has few to no requirements, but valid point on the salvage title issues.

 

Glad you and the dog are alright.

Sorry for your loss concerning the vehicle. What a bad time.

 

Right now you can get a good price on a Jeep.

 

perhaps an opportune time for that custom rear tray bed to slap that FWC on top of??

 

Thought about that….. but then I’d want an FWC flatbed with that side door $$$$

 

It needs a frame. Yes, technically you could have it pulled, but it won’t react the same in a future accident. The very broad rule is that if it’s just bent, it can be pulled, but if it’s kinked it needs replaced.

 

Actually, I was thinking about taking the money I save from the repair / medical and buying a two door Jeep for everyday use and just letting the camper live on the truck.

 

Update! The adjuster came back and it will be $16k to repair it. It’s a 2017 with 130k. They said they will replace the frame and the bed. Does that not seem crazy? I though for sure they are going to total it.

 

If they can do it for 16k then seems ok. Make sure you get diminished value too. That might push it over the totaled mark though.

If you were in a heavy salt state, 16k would not cover it as you would be replacing half the suspension too at 130k

 

They told me maybe I would get a diminished value claim but, maybe not.

 

That seems about right. Are they covering your equivalent rental vehicle in the meantime? Also, you have some aftermarket parts, including those updated tail lights. Make sure to get it in writing that they'll replace the frame and work with the aftermarket parts previously installed. Sometimes, they'll turn down a fix unless everything is OEM as per the service manual.

 

They are covering my rental. I also have Firestone ride right airbags . I’m hoping they are going to pay to get them fixed as well.

they want to pay the shop directly. I can’t figure out why they won’t just pay me. I own the truck.

 

Through who's insurance are you processing the claim? Assuming you aren't at fault.

 

if you are working with your own insurance, you won’t get diminished value. They will say you don’t qualify/deserve it because they paid to fix it “correctly”, therefore there it is worth as much as before the accident.

 

The at fault driver. It’s called ACE American but, goes through a 3rd party called Sedgwick.

it was a Xerox van..

 

I hope it was a collision center of your choice?

 

Did something happen to your airbags? It would be good to get it in writing that they are going to cover and reinstall all aftermarket parts. As long as you're comfortable with the shop, and you're checking in with them to see if they have any hiccups at all, you should be fine. You might even consider taking it to a third party mechanic to check things out after all the work is done. Also, if you wanted to put in an aftermarket rear bumper then you may negotiate that instead of the OEM (or equivalent). That's another thing, make sure they use OEM parts, compared to aftermarket OEM replacements. They should also be doing a full alignment after replacing everything (obviously). Good luck! Keep us posted!