Accident Damage - What do you think?
08-31-2017, 09:20 PM
#11
Member
Thread Starter
Ins. estimate came in today at $8752 before tax... considered a total loss.
When the adjuster came out and we started looking at the damage, 'repairable' seemed to be in play... until she really noticed the support frame damage... then it immediately went into 'probably total loss'... had to look up in the database if there were any options to fix the front of the frame... she said there is a kit but it requires the motor to be removed... driving up labor.
I asked about just replacing the support frame rails, but she said that's not an option... Maybe because it's not in their database? It's frustrating because Rock Auto shows support frame rails as individual parts.
The estimate has a line item for a 'Repair kit front 4WD'... this single line item costs $4,181... and accounts for almost half of the total. If they could just replace the support frame rails, the total would fall well below their threshold... and I think allow for some 'hidden' repairs she couldn't see. (the hood won't open in it's current state)... Kudos to 650NutKase on the 4K guesstamate based on 6 pictures.
I'm going to take it to a Body Shop tomorrow and get their opinion.
When the adjuster came out and we started looking at the damage, 'repairable' seemed to be in play... until she really noticed the support frame damage... then it immediately went into 'probably total loss'... had to look up in the database if there were any options to fix the front of the frame... she said there is a kit but it requires the motor to be removed... driving up labor.
I asked about just replacing the support frame rails, but she said that's not an option... Maybe because it's not in their database? It's frustrating because Rock Auto shows support frame rails as individual parts.
The estimate has a line item for a 'Repair kit front 4WD'... this single line item costs $4,181... and accounts for almost half of the total. If they could just replace the support frame rails, the total would fall well below their threshold... and I think allow for some 'hidden' repairs she couldn't see. (the hood won't open in it's current state)... Kudos to 650NutKase on the 4K guesstamate based on 6 pictures.
I'm going to take it to a Body Shop tomorrow and get their opinion.
08-31-2017, 10:59 PM
#12
It's hard to say but with just the frame horns being bent I couldn't imagine the truck being out of spec as far as alignment goes. I mean with this fully boxed frame being so rigid. I had a 2004 we heated the front frame horns up with a torch and bent them back, surprisingly easy. Obviously not a professional job, but truck still was in alignment and everything.
09-01-2017, 10:46 AM
#13
Senior Member
[QUOTE=txspikes;5453021]Ins. estimate came in today at $8752 before tax... considered a total loss.
When the adjuster came out and we started looking at the damage, 'repairable' seemed to be in play... until she really noticed the support frame damage... then it immediately went into 'probably total loss'... had to look up in the database if there were any options to fix the front of the frame... she said there is a kit but it requires the motor to be removed... driving up labor.
I asked about just replacing the support frame rails, but she said that's not an option... Maybe because it's not in their database? It's frustrating because Rock Auto shows support frame rails as individual parts.
The estimate has a line item for a 'Repair kit front 4WD'... this single line item costs $4,181... and accounts for almost half of the total. If they could just replace the support frame rails, the total would fall well below their threshold... and I think allow for some 'hidden' repairs she couldn't see. (the hood won't open in it's current state)... Kudos to 650NutKase on the 4K guesstamate based on 6 pictures.
I'm going to take it to a Body Shop tomorrow and get their opinion.
Man, I've dealt with insurance enough to tell you....no matter the case, ALWAYS get a shop to look at it first.
Their database gives them rates and hours as though there's a formula for all situations. If the shop gets the lowest rates possible to do a job, do you feel that your gonna get the best job possible?
When the adjuster came out and we started looking at the damage, 'repairable' seemed to be in play... until she really noticed the support frame damage... then it immediately went into 'probably total loss'... had to look up in the database if there were any options to fix the front of the frame... she said there is a kit but it requires the motor to be removed... driving up labor.
I asked about just replacing the support frame rails, but she said that's not an option... Maybe because it's not in their database? It's frustrating because Rock Auto shows support frame rails as individual parts.
The estimate has a line item for a 'Repair kit front 4WD'... this single line item costs $4,181... and accounts for almost half of the total. If they could just replace the support frame rails, the total would fall well below their threshold... and I think allow for some 'hidden' repairs she couldn't see. (the hood won't open in it's current state)... Kudos to 650NutKase on the 4K guesstamate based on 6 pictures.
I'm going to take it to a Body Shop tomorrow and get their opinion.
Man, I've dealt with insurance enough to tell you....no matter the case, ALWAYS get a shop to look at it first.
Their database gives them rates and hours as though there's a formula for all situations. If the shop gets the lowest rates possible to do a job, do you feel that your gonna get the best job possible?
09-01-2017, 10:53 AM
#14
Senior Member
Also,
If you get multiple, experienced, reputable shops to agree that it can be repaired, for around the same price, atleast then you can argue the case with the insurance company.
Remember, they want to pay for a little as possible.
It's just like health insurance these days.
Then they'll want you to use a shop on their "preferred list" which basically means, they have an agreement with the shop and their shop will either agree to do the work for the price the insurance sets, or, the shop will base it's rates off of the insurance's rates and not their own.
Kinda conflict of interest in my opinion and I hate dealing with them. And....my wife ran into a bollard at the gas station this morning in her 2016 Honda Odyssey so, looks like I'm about to get into it again myself.
I hope this helps, and I don't mean to sound condescending if I do, I just want you to know your options, and be smarter than the adjuster, otherwise, like I said before, their gonna tell you what your options are.
If you get multiple, experienced, reputable shops to agree that it can be repaired, for around the same price, atleast then you can argue the case with the insurance company.
Remember, they want to pay for a little as possible.
It's just like health insurance these days.
Then they'll want you to use a shop on their "preferred list" which basically means, they have an agreement with the shop and their shop will either agree to do the work for the price the insurance sets, or, the shop will base it's rates off of the insurance's rates and not their own.
Kinda conflict of interest in my opinion and I hate dealing with them. And....my wife ran into a bollard at the gas station this morning in her 2016 Honda Odyssey so, looks like I'm about to get into it again myself.
I hope this helps, and I don't mean to sound condescending if I do, I just want you to know your options, and be smarter than the adjuster, otherwise, like I said before, their gonna tell you what your options are.
09-01-2017, 04:22 PM
#15
Member
Thread Starter
R.I.P. my 2006 F150 King Ranch 4x4
In hindsight, I probably should have tried to get an estimate or two before the adjuster had a look. I don't have a lot of experience with these situations... thankfully!?! haha Which conversely means I don't have any strong relationships with body shops. Also, wasn't real comfortable driving around in a damaged state even though the truck still drove... and seems to drive pretty dang good!!! 
So, I went to the one I used and liked last time I needed some work done on another vehicle... about 6 years ago.... outside of insurance too.
Anyway, he confirmed the damage/needed repair... He said the passenger side could probably be fixed/bent back into shape (not optimal), but the driver side was gone and he doesn't show you can just replace that part... would need the kit... he mentioned another kit, but it sounded like it still included the cross member... (I take to read labor)
He also showed how the whole vehicle (frame) was 'diamond'... and said was pretty common with the boxed frame... it was slight, but definitely there. Also said somebody would probably take it and fix it.
When this whole thing started/happened, I was pretty dead set about getting it fixed... even if I had to 'buy it back' and 'do it myself'. Obviously, there was a lot of emotion in that thinking. So now, I'm just going to 'take the money and run'. I think typing out my experience here has helped me make a better decision for ME and MY SITUATION... I appreciate everyone's thoughts and replies!!
Be careful out there! Our '04 – '08 model years are getting up there and it doesn't take much to “total 'em”... this damage is from a ~25-30 mph impact.
I'm not a huge poster, but I've really appreciated everyone's insight’s and help. It hasn't always been to my specific questions/needs, but I could pretty much always find my answer in a current/older thread.
I'll still be around (sorta) as I also own an '04 that my son drives... but I'll probably move to the '09-'14 model years.
R.I.P.
(or have a great new life) MY 2006 Ford F150 King Ranch 4x4. You gave me 120K (yes, I bought it used) great miles! I enjoyed driving you every chance I got...
Sorry... still have some emotion...
So, I went to the one I used and liked last time I needed some work done on another vehicle... about 6 years ago.... outside of insurance too.Anyway, he confirmed the damage/needed repair... He said the passenger side could probably be fixed/bent back into shape (not optimal), but the driver side was gone and he doesn't show you can just replace that part... would need the kit... he mentioned another kit, but it sounded like it still included the cross member... (I take to read labor)
He also showed how the whole vehicle (frame) was 'diamond'... and said was pretty common with the boxed frame... it was slight, but definitely there. Also said somebody would probably take it and fix it.
When this whole thing started/happened, I was pretty dead set about getting it fixed... even if I had to 'buy it back' and 'do it myself'. Obviously, there was a lot of emotion in that thinking. So now, I'm just going to 'take the money and run'. I think typing out my experience here has helped me make a better decision for ME and MY SITUATION... I appreciate everyone's thoughts and replies!!
Be careful out there! Our '04 – '08 model years are getting up there and it doesn't take much to “total 'em”... this damage is from a ~25-30 mph impact.
I'm not a huge poster, but I've really appreciated everyone's insight’s and help. It hasn't always been to my specific questions/needs, but I could pretty much always find my answer in a current/older thread.
I'll still be around (sorta) as I also own an '04 that my son drives... but I'll probably move to the '09-'14 model years.
R.I.P.
(or have a great new life) MY 2006 Ford F150 King Ranch 4x4. You gave me 120K (yes, I bought it used) great miles! I enjoyed driving you every chance I got... Sorry... still have some emotion...
Last edited by txspikes; 09-01-2017 at 04:42 PM.
09-01-2017, 04:39 PM
#16
Senior Member
Sounds like someone will end up with a damaged truck where a few grand will fix it up nicely and run another 120k 
Good luck on your find for a new truck!
Good luck on your find for a new truck!
The following users liked this post:
txspikes (09-01-2017)
09-04-2017, 08:03 PM
#17
adjusters are all not evil. They are guided by national average numbers and are constantly threatened by and fight with body shops all day long. My best friend used to be one. they no longer paint a door on the truck, they take the whole dang thing apart these days and so on. However the insurance companies are jerks. My 99 was totaled and they tried to give me $3,000. I got them up to $7,000 with a lot of screaming on my end. They also wanted me to sign off on bodily damage. that's what they are more concerned with but handled by a completely different department. Resale may freak people out with a damaged or totaled history but if you want to keep it and think its a fair number then go for it
09-11-2017, 12:25 PM
#18
I own a 06 Lariat 4X4, had 276000 miles on it in March when I hit a guy at 35 MPH that pulled out in front of me. Hit him with the right front corner of the truck. I was afraid his insurance was gonna total my girl because of its age and the mileage. I was lucky as the repairs totaled $4000.00 and they blue booked it at $9300.00. Guess I was lucky and didn't have that bad of frame damage, it did have to go on the frame machine and pulled back straight though. Truck is doing good now approaching 280,000 miles.
