2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Getting Proper Value for Totaled Truck?

[EdK]

I almost broke into tears last night. I was lifting my '99 Ram 2500 using my two post lift when, for some reason, the right front lift arm slipped off the frame and allowed the truck to nose dive:{ from about four feet off the floor. The right front wheel bounced off the floor and the truck moved about 18 inches forward. There is damage to the right side of the bed from the wheel well to the door and the left side rocker panel and FLOOR are pushed up a couple inches.



My worry is with the truck being a '99 and with 205K miles, they may want to total it rather than repair it. I hope they take into consideration it's a one owner truck with a Cummins diesel engine, and always garaged. Will they credit me for the aluminum wheels... how about the $850 tires new this spring?



How does one go about challenging an insurance company's offer if it's too low?

 

[jgillott]

Forget about the truck for a second, I'm just thankful you are OK. We could have been talking about an entire different subject here tonight.

First, get your truck to whatever body shop you/your insurance wants to. Get your estimate. If they are going to total it, buy it back an have the repairs done if they are reasonable. If you are not talking about frame dammage or deployed bags, I doubt they are going to total it out with what you have described, even with the age and miles.

 

[SRadke]

Typically if they undervalue it you can find ads for similar trucks posted for sale with higher values and challenge them.