Insurance adjusters and/or body shop guys??????

[6pack]

Well the wife got hit(2nd time in 3 months)last wednesday. Other womans fault(ran stop sign). Anyway hit ds of Suburban in the front door and fender(hard lick). Got a call from the body shop guy this morning...$9500 estimate . He also said the frame had some damage but was fixable. That is what I am worried about....the frame damge. I don't want a vehicle that will have problems forever. Anyone know what the limit or percentage of value that would cause a total loss? Also would you want it repaired or totaled and do I have the right to say I do not want it with frame damge. Sorry so long. Thanks

 

[striker_29]

I would say it probably depends on your insurer and the policy. You DO have the right to choose the Body shop, so if they insist on fixing it, insist on the best shop. They might make you get several estimates, but read your policy carefully. Sorry to hear that and good luck.

 

[6pack]

Other womans insurance is footing the bill including rental vehicle. It's at Capital on Lakeland. We choose them because they use oem parts and not that Jap crap. Barnetts uses the junk! Anyway...thanks

 

[Jack Evers]

In the insurance industry, these two approaches are used to determine a total loss:

1. Obvious total loss: When the repair cost exceeds the actual cash value of the vehicle.

2. Constructive total loss: When the repair cost + the value of the salvage exceeds the actual cash value of the vehicle.

Like someone said, take it to the best shop in town where you know things will be done right.

Oh, and buy the way, they can't make you obtain several estimates. Pick the shop you want and tell the insurance company to work it out with them.

 

[DALESGN]

First I hope your wife is okay and was wearing her seatbelt .Different insurance companies use different formulas to determine the total loss threshold of a vehicle. Some companies go as low as 55% of the value of the car. The Suburban rides on a full frame so if the shop has a decent frame machine and measuring system (we just bought a new Cheif machine and laser measuring system) then there should be no problem with the repair. What year is it , and does it have any suspension damage? It sounds like you (unfortunately) have previous experience with having your car repaired so pick the shop you are most comfortable with and know the most about.

 

[zam70]

First off, if a shop uses aftermarket parts, it's not their choice, it's the insurance companys...If your policy states that the ins co. can use any parts they deem acceptable (not just OEM), they will ONLY pay for aftermarket parts. Since this isn't your ins Co. (you are the claimant) Their rules don't apply so you can demand OEM ONLY...just for the record, OEM does include salvage parts. No worries with salvage though, the parts have to be off of the same year or newer vehicle. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES LET THEM USE SALVAGE SUSPENSION. Any other parts should be fine.
Don't worry about the frame, any good body shop can straighten a frame better than what it originally was (yes, your frame was probably already out of wack. Most of them are). Side hits on a frame are usually easier to fix than front hits (front hits tend to "diamond" the frame).
In this area, Ins co don't consider totalling a vehicle until it is around 70-80% of the value (never seen 55%...glad I don't!)
AS a claimant, they need YOUR permission to total the vehicle. I have fixed cars at 2-3 times their value when the claimant refused a total. It's a long road but it can be done.

This is the crap I deal with all day everyday. I'm an estimator/project manager at a Large body shop...I deal with INS cos and their games 5 days a week. Just e-mail me if you need anymore help...
One last thing - What's the insureds Insurance company? Some are definately better than others.

 

[6pack]

Thanks for the great replies guys....

I was told by someone....relative that is NOT in the insurance or body shop industry that they would total it at 40% of the value. Dale the wife is fine..a little bruised but ok...thanks for the hope And was wearing her seatbelt...she is a beleiver in them. It's a 99 model. And it does have suspension damage....left front upper control arm looks like an accordian Zam other lady had Shelter insurance. I also beleive that the body shop where it is at is the best in my area. Never heard any complaints about them, Anyway thanks again and I'lll report back when the claims adjuster lets us know something.

 

[GN One Day...]

Glad your wife is okay. Where did you take it?

 

[6pack]

Whats up Bill?!

It's at Capital Body Shop on Lakeland drive. Heard anything bad about them?

 

[GN One Day...]

That's just who I'd use again too. I know a guy there, so I took the Amigo there when it had the offroading mishap(s). They did a great job. Mike Winston is the guy I know, who also did the work. Very good job.
Ridgeland Body Shop on 51 is also very good, fixed up my wife's Taurus after the head-on with no rattles or anything.

 

[turbo87limited]

Gary, here in Mississippi, I believe it is more like 80% to be a total loss. I know for a fact you have it at the best body shop around. I sell them a lot of equipment, and do all there maintenance on their equipment. Who is you adjuster? I can make a phone call to them to make sure they know to treat you right, not that they wouldn't anyway. Anyhow let me know if I need to do anything for you. Also I am glad the wifie is OK.
Bubba Nicholson

 

[6pack]

Bubba...Adjuster is Jeff Pace. He has actually been dealing with my wife. I guess a call wouldn't hurt, but like you said....so far I have no reason to distrust them. It shouldn't be a total loss then......nada on it is $20,500. Thanks

 

[1ARUNEM]

Percentage of total loss to total a vehicle is not up to you, the shop or the insurance company. It is generally a standard set by the state.. For instance, here in Alabama, if the damage equals up to 75% or more than the value of the vehicle, the insurance company MUST consider it a total loss.
My wife was in an accident a few years ago and the damage was $10000 which was just below the 75%. However, not wanting a rebuilt vehicle that was only 2 years old, I negotiated with the adjuster (who was great to deal with) and explained that after he paid for the structural damage, the rental car (probably for at least 2 months), and most importantly the LOSS OF VALUE (depreciation factor) it would likely hit the 75% mark.

He agreed and wrote me a check for the vehicle.. It didn't hurt that we were not making a medical claim so he knew he was getting out easy.
Remember, everything thing is negotiable other than it reaching a point where they MUST total it..
If it is repaired, be sure to ask for Loss of Value compensation for the depreciation the vehicle has suffered (worth less now that it's been wrecked)..

You can request new OEM parts rather than LKQ (like kind/quality) aftermarket or used parts.
You are in control... Try to settle yourself before going to an attorney or you'll give up about 33-40% of your settlement.
GOOD LUCK!!

I was an adjuster for quite some time and currently am a manager for a nationwide inspection company..

P.S. Glad your wife is doing well.

 

[Jack Evers]

Originally posted by 1ARUNEM
It didn't hurt that we were not making a medical claim so he knew he was getting out easy.

What he said.

 

[6pack]

If it is repaired, be sure to ask for Loss of Value compensation for the depreciation the vehicle has suffered (worth less now that it's been wrecked)..[/B]

1ARUNEM...Do you know how I can find out what this value would be? Thanks

 

[1ARUNEM]

This amount is negotiable and not set in stone.. For instance, my father was hit in his 2000 GMC Sierra extended cab. Damage was around $7500 and he negotiated $1500 for loss of value..

I would say $1500-$2000 would be fair for a 99 sub with $9500 in damage.. JMO..

 

[1badTTA]

OK, not trying to hijack a thread by any means, but I am in a similiar prediciment. My TTA got hit in a parking lot and is now at the body shop. I totally trust the bodyshop with the car as it is a friend of mine and also a boardmember and owner of a TTA. I know the car will be fixed right and the current total is around $1500 for the left front fender being caved in and replacing along with refinishing surrounding body parts.

What I am wondering is the depreciated value and how that works. Is it the same in all states and how does it affect a collector car like a TTA? What is involved in collecting it out of an insurance company (Allstate) and who deteermines how much.

Thanks, any help will be apreciated greatly.


(And who says a compact rental is "comparable" to a TTA?)

 

[1ARUNEM]

Generally the standard we went by was anything over 5 years old did not incur a loss of value.. However, it being a "collector car" may lend you some leeway.

Allstate will likely fight you tooth and nail on this. You will need to "sell" them on the fact that it is in fact a collectable piece otherwise they will look at it as any other 89 Firebird..

However, if it only suffered $1500 in damage, i wouldn't expect anything as far as Loss of Value is concerned.. It would be assumed that a 89 model vehicle probably had paint work or repair of some sort in 14 years..

If you were in the vehicle and more specifically, hurt, you would have some bargaining power... I am NOT advocating this, but it is the truth..

BTW, they do not have to provide you comparable transportation, only transportation.. It sucks, but you take what you get in a non injury p/l claim..

 

[1badTTA]

Thanks, I know what you mean about the rental, I had all of Enterprise laughing (customers and employees) when they said "Comparable vehicle" and I told them I needed something with PW, PL, T-Tops, Leather, and capable of running 12's.

 

[6pack]

Talk to Capital B/S Monday and the Insurance company has given the go ahead to repair it. We'll see how it turns out. I was told by the guy at the shop that parts and repairs would be warrantied as long as I own the truck.