title status after fender bender

About 2 weeks ago I got in a fender bender and it was my fault.

Damage looks like cosmetic and the estimate by my insurance is $1,500.

headlights, bumper, grill and trd skid plate will be replaced.

Q: Will my title be branded? rebuilt? salvaged?

thanks.

 

I don't think that small amount of damage would affect your title. I'm pretty sure you only get a salvage title when your truck is totaled. $1500.00 is hardly any damage these days.

 

CORRECT - only when a vehicle is deemed a "TOTAL LOSS" will the title be changed

 

If fixing the damage is more than the blue book value of the car the insurance will total out the car.

 

I think you are all right as long as the frame is not damaged and your air bags didn't deploy. I scrapped a tree with the Passenger side of the Cab on the corner post which has to be pulled out by hand and they didn't total mine. I wished they would have so I could get rid of it and get a new 2012 DC TRD Off Road.

 

Your insurance may report the damage so it could show up on Carfax or Autocheck in the future. You should ask your insurance about their damage reporting practices. If they report it it can make it harder to sell in the future when "front end collision" shows up on a report. It is a good idea to take photos and keep the estimate/receipts with the truck. That way you can prove the damage was minor if you need to when you go to sell it later.

 

It's fine.

Even if the frame is damaged it can still be fixed and no title change.

I know because I recently got in a accident not my fault. Bent frame they are replacing the fame. Its a clean title.

 

The accident will not show up on the title. It might show up on Carfax, but the reporting is so inconsistent and inaccurate, I would not worry about it either way; the suggestion to take photos and save estimates is great though. The repair, if done properly, will have little impact on resale value.

Just get it fixed, get it back on the road, and enjoy/use it.

 

very good info

 

Thanks guys. I just wanted to be sure. I do plan on taking pictures to show the future owner how minor the damage was.

By the way, the quote I was given stated each headlight at $170 dollars. Can you make your insurance pay for OE parts and not "good enough parts?"

 

depends on the policy. Unless you opted for it in the beginning, all you will be getting is "like kind quality" which can also mean used!

 

They gave me the option of choosing my own body shop. Can I just tell the body shop to use OE parts and send my insurance the bill?

 

A secret is this....The insurance will only pay $XXXX.00 for the repair. Minus your deductible. What ever that amount is....the body shop can choose whatever way it wants to repair the vehicle as long as it meets the standards of the insurance company policy. You have full power to negotiate with every single body shop in town. I would say hey...I have $340 for two headlights....you can either tell them to purchase new aftermarket from ebay for $125 shipped and apply the rest of the money to other parts of the truck for better parts or you can locate used OEM lights and a used OEM bumper. Whatever!