2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Wrecked my truck - need insurance advice

[Blakers]

Well Monday morning I wrecked my truck on the way home from work. Going about 45 mph on a two lane winding blacktop road, I hit a lady that pulled out in front of me with a small car. No one was hurt!



I'm not sure what kind of car it was, but I drove right over the front end of it - flattened the bumper and grill right on the ground and it never even moved. That part of the wreck felt just like hitting a pot hole. There was no body damage to my truck from the actual collision except the bracket that holds the bar that goes from the frame to the front axle broke off the axle.



Unfortunately however, my truck went into a clockwise 180 deg spin and slid sideways into a phone pole, breaking it off halfway up. The pole hit the truck from the side in the front left fender behind the axle. It pushed in about 10 inches, moving the bottom hinge to the drivers door in about an inch. It also pulled the radiator support back so it hit the fan, but I don't believe it hurt the radiator. It is still full of antifreeze.



I don't see any engine or drivetrain damage - though this is to be determined later. The frame looks ok to me in the time I had to look at it. I saw no damage to the end of the axle or steering - but then again this will have to be looked at further. It hit behind the spring tower and I don't think it hit it. Master cylinder does not seem to be hit. Drivers door looks ok.



The left fender is shot, as well as the hood. Windshield cracked near door post and the little window behind my head broke out. Bed hit the cab and inflicted a little dent, but then went back to its normal position.



I would like to get the truck fixed if it will be safe and as nice to drive as before. The insurance says they will fix it if it is not more than the truck's worth.



So what does the insurance company use to determine what the truck is worth? Kelly Blue Book? How do I get them to include the value of all the performance parts I have added? I have the receipts. Any suggestions on this?



I will upload pictures soon.



Thanks,



Blake

 

[sdalton]

Good luck. It's in the hands of the insurance co. You need to get a few good estimates, of the damage, and also a few estimates of the value of the truck. That is because some companies want to give you a lot less than it is worth. You can accept the payoff for the truck, and get another. You can also take the payoff and buy the truck back , then fix it yourself, and hopefully it will not cost you more to fix than you have left over. You can then maybe update some items like power and bumpers.

 

[CFAR]

Generally they use the "Actual Cash Value" method, they will look in the news paper and such to find similar vehicles(miles, accesories, etc) and use these vehicles as an average. You can do the same thing, also make sure they accurately assess your vehicles options. They may use the VIN to determine which options your truck came with. Also options you have added that you have reciepts for can be included. You don't need reciepts usually if it is for something that can be seen (topper, etc) When the adjuster comes out make sure you show him anything you have added.

 

[illflem]

Hate to say it Blake but from the way you describe the damage your truck will never feel the same. Sounds like the frame is bent, even though there are machines and excellent guys who run them it will never be quite right, you could be fighting problems for years. If it were mine I'd hope for a total.

 

[Lsfarm]

repair/total

Blake, from your description, I would say that the track bar bracket got ripped off the front axle when the truck hit the telephone pole with the left front wheel. This is a very hard sideways impact, very hard on steering components.

I would make sure you get a statement from the insurance company to cover future steering issues, 'cause you will probably have them. [steering gear box, wheel bearings, ball joints]

The fact that the windshield is cracked means that the cowl was tweaked in the inpact too, I'd check the fit of the passenger door to see if the cowl got pushed over . This usually totals a vehicle.

Most important: that you and the other driver are OK, cars and trucks are just metal, and can be totaled and replaced, People can't.

Take care Greg L.



Ps Look for a PM

 

[Turbo Horseman]

The experience that I've had with insurance adjusters has not been positive at all. My preference is to deal directly with the insurance company or its lawyer... the adjuster is being paid to keep costs down. You may luck out and have a good experience with the adjuster. At anytime that you feel like you're not being dealt with fairly or honestly, then contact the insurance company and insist (adamantly if necessary) that they deal with you directly. You will be amazed at the difference. (jmho)

 

[CFAR]

The adjuster may or may not put anything you tell him into his report. When it comes time to settle you will deal with the ins co usually. Normally the adjuster is the one who looks at the veh and determines what is damaged and what needs to be replaced. they will then price out the parts and labor and submit it in a report to ins co. the ins co will determine if they are going to salvage the veh or repair. if they salvage, they will contact you and give you a break down of the veh worth. at this time the valuation of the veh is open to negotiation. reciepts for work done, after market accesories etc. also you can submit your own valuations using ebay, newspapers etc. they will try to give you the least they can but most will negotiate.

 

[RustyJC]

In addition to the other comments, if you have a good, longstanding relationship with your local insurance agent, take advantage of it. When I had a claim, I used to tell my agent that I used for 22 years in Ohio, "Don, you have a problem! It may look on the surface like I have a problem, but the reason I paid these premiums that bought your house, cars and sent your kids to college is so that my problem becomes your problem. " He would just laugh and get right in the middle of the case. He can't work miracles, but he can work behind the scenes to try to get you satisfied.



Rusty

 

[JGK]

This kind of conflicts with what some of the others have said, but I had a conversation a few weeks ago with a local owner who rolled his. Damages came to more than $18000. Close to what it was worth according to Kelly Blue. He wanted it totaled so he could get a new one. However (here's the conflict), the insurance co. valued it at better than full-on brand new retail price (more than $40 I think he said)! So no total-out. I believe his was an '02.



Determination of value can be a sticky thing when it's closed to being totaled.



Just keep it in mind!



-Jay

 

[athompson]

Let them total it

From what you describe, the truck will never be the same. The only time I had a vehicle damaged close to what you're describing, the insurance company wouldn't total it.



I had troubles with it from then on. The door never shut right. The body panels never lined up right. It was a mess.



IMO, you'd be much better off if they don't fix the truck. They may even let you keep the truck. My last totaled vehicle, they let me keep.

 

[JoshPeters]

I think it all depends on the Body shop you bring it to. I deal with cars worth $120,000. Occasionally someone gets stupid and really really smacks one. I have driven so many of the same car, and the the smacked one. They drive, feel, and function just the same. A good Body shop is hard to find sometimes.

 

[JohnE]

Good to hear you are O. K. Emotionally tough to loose a vehicle, but if it died saving your life count the blessings.



Hate to say this, but the time to ask these questions is BEFORE the wreck, theft, flood, etc. Insurance regulations vary from state to state and company to company.

Often, the extra dollars you put in custom options will NOT be covered unless they were specifically written in to the policy coverage.



The other items that most insurance coverages consider maintenance while we consider performance are the hardest to get reimbursement. That Goerend transmission and triple converter you installed is probably considered a maintenance item and therefore does not increase the value of your truck.



Yeah, those on this board know otherwise, but tell that to a bean counting adjuster.

 

[cpollard]

Glad your OK Blake,



I purchased blake's 33's last fall. His truck is pristine. The cleanest 95 I've seen.





Tell me when to start shopping down here. I'll keep my eye out.





Good Luck



Chris

 

[jrollins]

Originally posted by Blakers

Well Monday morning I wrecked my truck on the way home from work. Going about 45 mph on a two lane winding blacktop road, I hit a lady that pulled out in front of me with a small car. No one was hurt!



I'm not sure what kind of car it was, but I drove right over the front end of it - flattened the bumper and grill right on the ground and it never even moved. That part of the wreck felt just like hitting a pot hole. There was no body damage to my truck from the actual collision except the bracket that holds the bar that goes from the frame to the front axle broke off the axle.



Unfortunately however, my truck went into a clockwise 180 deg spin and slid sideways into a phone pole, breaking it off halfway up. The pole hit the truck from the side in the front left fender behind the axle. It pushed in about 10 inches, moving the bottom hinge to the drivers door in about an inch. It also pulled the radiator support back so it hit the fan, but I don't believe it hurt the radiator. It is still full of antifreeze.



I don't see any engine or drivetrain damage - though this is to be determined later. The frame looks ok to me in the time I had to look at it. I saw no damage to the end of the axle or steering - but then again this will have to be looked at further. It hit behind the spring tower and I don't think it hit it. Master cylinder does not seem to be hit. Drivers door looks ok.



The left fender is shot, as well as the hood. Windshield cracked near door post and the little window behind my head broke out. Bed hit the cab and inflicted a little dent, but then went back to its normal position.



I would like to get the truck fixed if it will be safe and as nice to drive as before. The insurance says they will fix it if it is not more than the truck's worth.



So what does the insurance company use to determine what the truck is worth? Kelly Blue Book? How do I get them to include the value of all the performance parts I have added? I have the receipts. Any suggestions on this?



I will upload pictures soon.



Thanks,



Blake

well state farm uses NADA value to determine total loss value, as for the accessories yes the insurance co. should cover replacement costs, just mainly depends on the co. ur dealing with.

 

[Blakers]

Thanks everyone for replying. I've been kinda busy, upset and mad so haven't had a chance to get on here.



No word from the dealer on the truck yet. They're gonna look it over and then get together with the insurance and go from there. I'll get my papers together on the accessories I put on. Most likely I will buy it back anyway if they total it.



My insurance is Nationwide and the lady that pulled out in front of me has State Farm.



Here is what the NADA site says on the value. (this link is no good - see next post)



I'm gonna start looking for another one now just in case they can't save mine. If I can get a 12 valve in really nice shape, I can put my injectors, turbo, plate and other things on it. If it's an automatic I can probably use my transmission too. I'd be open for a newer one too if the price is within my range. My cousin just bought an '03 4x4 dually with 4 doors and a 6 speed. Really loves it and got it for $37 grand.



I'll send some pictures later today.



Blake

 

[Blakers]

This is what the NADA says - looks like $11,000

1995 Dodge RAM 2500 PICKUP-3/4 Ton-V8

Heavy Duty Sweptline 8'

141,000 miles



F as the 1st position of the model # denotes 4WD

Low Retail Average Retail High Retail

Base Price $6,600 $8,125 $9,125



Mileage Adjustment

141,000 miles subtract: ($2,325) ($2,325) ($2,325)



Options and Equipment

4 Wheel Drive add: $1,850 $1,850 $1,850

5. 9L 6 Cyl. Turbo Diesel Engine add: $1,950 $1,950 $1,950

Laramie SLT Trim add: $400 $400 $400

Certification and Extended Warranties

Total Price $8,475 $10,000 $11,000

 

[The patriot]

Blake, I posted one I saw for sale by me. It was about two weeks back.

Do a search, it should come up.

I believe it was a 95 or a 96 with an auto, 4x4 club cab.

I dont remember the phone number, but it's in my post.

Eric

 

[The patriot]

http://turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=71528&highlight=dent

 

[Blakers]

Thanks Eric, I'll keep it in mind. I should buy two of them - one for my wife! Get rid of that Blazer!



I just don't feel safe in a car. If I had hit this lady with a car it would have spun her around and probably hurt both of us badly. Because my truck was high, it just drove right over her front end and never moved her car at all. Must have been a sight for her!



If I had not spun out and hit the pole, I would have had almost no damage. It would have been kinda funny since no one got hurt. Sure is a testiment to our heavy trucks!



And I know our Lord was riding with me that morning!!

 

[The patriot]

Been there... . done that..... in a tractor trailer!

I'll be doing a bunch of 14 hour days in a row, but if you decide to check this one out, I'll try to help.

I'm at work right now.

Eric:{