Flopped my truck...

2

 

30+ year career in insurance claims here, FWIW. Given the age/mileage/value of your truck, and the likelihood you will be keeping it, option 1 is will net you more money. I would go that route unless you don't want to deal with the titling process.

In fact, if the truck does not have a lein on it, you can go option 1 but not actually go through the DRP shop for repairs. Your insurance company owes you for the damages if you make a claim. You will come out far ahead $ wise if you let them total it, you take the claim payout less the salvage value, and then fix it quick and dirty yourself and pocket the difference.

 

White is so easy to paint its crazy..Just buy the parts and paint them. How much money are they giving

 

Ive been leaning towards option 2, canceling the claim. Not a Charger, thanks for talking me down..
I talked to the insurance total loss department. Here are the numbers:
Truck Value: $10,057
-500 deductible $9,557
total buy back payment $6,835

Now body shop tells me they can actually fix it completely for $4500... half the estimate they gave the insurance company.

He said he can clean up just the cab dent pretty good for $500. Said he could have it done by end of day.

But heres the kicker - on thursday I spoke with him (the body shop) and he told me he's already working on pushing out the cab dent. So I think its already done and hes just trying to get paid for it.

@not a charger -based on this, do you stand by your advice? What do you think of those numbers? I thought it would be cheaper to buy it back honestly. (they want $2722)
Ill probably pay 250 to have the windshield replaced, plus dmv title costs. If theyve already straightened out the dent id be happy with that and I could replace my fender myself in due time when I find one. doors not that bad ill just keep it.

I own the truck outright, no liens.
Ive never done the salvage title process. In fact, Im pretty sure I've lost the title. I hope that doesn't complicate it too much.

 

So you'll get $9,557, minus the projected salvage value, if you keep it. Like I said, if you don't mind the title process, this is definitely the way to go. If it were me, I'd take that money, get the title handled, and fix it myself. If you were to ever sell it, no one's getting worked up about a salvage title history on a 300k mile truck, especially since you have pix of the damage to show a buyer. And you can insure the truck, even with a salvage title history. Some insurers won't write comp.collision on it, some will, but almost all of them will at least write liability and other coverages.

EDIT: you'll have to pay the shop for the work they've already done on the cab. Up to you if you tell them to finish it and paint it, finish it and leave it in primer, or stop working on it and leave wherever they currently have it. But yes, I would still take the $$ and deal with the title. Lost title should not be an issue since you are the registered owner. People lose titles all the time. Your DMV or Title Bureau can walk you through getting a replacement and doing the salvage title thing. Hell, you may get lucky and the insurance company doesn't do anything with the title at all.

 

Geez I wonder what mines worth. I paid ten grand twenty years ago and its still perfect

 

Hey folks, just wanted to update that I got the body shop to lower their estimate to the insurance company and the insurance (AAA) Decided to fix it! I recently got her back and the body looks good as new, windshield replaced and all. Stoked. Thanks for talking me through this guys.

As a side note, when I got it back the airbag light is flashing. Its always something... turned right around and took it back. The tech had it for another day, took apart the dash again couldn't find faulty wiring. He reset the codes and told me drive it a while see if it goes off. As I expected, it didn't. I want them to make it right but I don't want to be without my truck again for a while. Any experience with this on first gens? Im gonna do some searching....

 

Reputable shop should have airbag computer
Points to exact air bag system part needed
Make shop/insurance do their job
I mean AB lite is related bc of roll over…..no question


There was an AB thread recently
Good replies in there

 

Just saw this thread. I flopped my '99 onto the passenger side back in college in '03 (young & dumb). Mine needed front quarter panel, door shell, and bedside replaced. Not damage on the extended cab part but because I had a roof rack it had significant damage from the feet/bars. If memory serves me correctly it was quoted to insurance as ~4500. Obviously >20yr ago tho.

 

I agree that if you still have damage on the cab when you get it back- you can probably get it in better shape yourself without too much pain. And replace the fender.
I had a similar dent. I got this far and was happy with it although I’ll probably do some more work on it myself soon.
In some lighting I really can’t tell it’s there.
Spent $$ on tabs to glue (pdr hot glue) to perimeter of dent then used a ratchet strap to hook on and pry out slowly. It has a crown in a few places that I can touch up by tapping it back down with a soft ended tool. But for not damaging the paint, I’m satisfied with the progress. I figured to take a break while I was ahead. White
does have the advantage that it’s easier to paint/ camoflauge.

 

You are right they need to do their job. the roll over was about as slow as it could happen though, and I drove it for a couple weeks before taking it to the shop. No airbag light till I got it out of the shop. They took apart the dash/seats all kinds of interior stuff which is where I suppose they tripped the AB light. I will ask them if they have an airbag computer and make sure they figure that out. Thank you!

@beaverdamland , they ended up doing a great job on the body work, covered under insurance. But yours would have been my route if they hadn't covered it. Good looking truck!

 

#2 reasons (from insurance experience) for AB lite after crash and no AB deployment are
-seat belt buckle(s)
-passenger seat sensor (weight sensor)

I try to help people out…..if no one in passenger seat and insurance states the same and says they are not paying, be proactive and say you had your hockey bag/work duffle bag(something heavy) on passenger seat when crash occurred
Used this “Many times in the Past”

Me to a female customer
‘Was your heavy purse on passenger seat?’
Customer: ‘umm yes(?)’
Me: ‘perfect I will pay for the $1k sensor’

gl keep us posted

 

Sorry couldn’t help myself
I’m a sucker for a car chase scene
My “quote” at end!

https://youtu.be/wiPKw6slkJU?si=eGK_554pNlgbMjy3

 

This is my little mule Pepe’…..