So yesterday I called my insurance agent and asked about my truck and he said, "Yea they're going to fix it so you can go to the repair shop and ask when it will be done."
Cool I thought and headed over to the shop as I needed to get a few things out of it anyways.
So I get there and tell them I'm the owner of the white F250.
Me: "So I hear you're going to fix it."
Them: "Who told you that?"
Me: "My insurance agent."
Them: "Why did he tell you that?"
Me: "Umm...because he's my insurance agent?"
Them: "We haven't even given them a repair estimate yet. How can they tell you if it can be repaired or not?"
So we are both standing there confused. Guy turns out to be pretty cool and we talked for a good 45 minutes. He told me he was at $9000 in repairs on his estimate and hadn't even pulled it into the shop to look at the frame yet.
What insurance company? They all have their own way of doing things, so as an example they might ask the shop, or you, some identifying type questions (as to damage) in order to rule out right away if it's a total loss. That might not mean it's a fixer, but they'd know to get more specific information (i.e., a complete estimate) before declaring it a total loss. It might give the adjuster the impression it's a fixer even though it might have additional damage.
A lot of insurance companies write their own estimates, although there are just as many that have a shop write the estimate. It doesn't really matter too much because any estimate is just that, an estimate, not a set in stone this is exactly what it'll cost to repair the vehicle.
In the state I live (insurance is state regulated, so it varies by state) a total loss is when the value of the vehicle is less than the repair cost (that's just a general definition, it's actually determined by the insurance company and usually when repair cost reaches approximately 80% of the vehicle's value). So, say it's a $18,000 truck and the repair cost is $10,000 and the salvage (the totalled vehicle) is worth $5,000 it would be a total loss ($10,000 + $5,000 salvage is greater than 80% of $18,000). Vehicle value has nothing to do with what is owed on the vehicle, but what the "market" value is, which is not dealer asking price/sticker price, but what an individual purchasing that same truck would pay for it (no one should pay sticker price).
Anyway, if it's at $9,000 plus frame damage it might still be a fixer, I don't know what they're worth, or what salvage is worth. Also, your state may handle total losses differently (I'm in Oregon). I know our labor rates are pretty high here, but frame straightening usually doesn't add a lot to the estimate here, it's not really that expensive, even on a big job. In my state however it is a total loss if the frame must be replaced (this is the way one insurance company handled frame replacement while another did not consider that to total the vehicle), and some frames cannot be repaired if the damage is too bad (some frames can be cut and a new "section" can be put in, some cannot).
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2005 F250 V10, CC, SB, 4x4, 4.30 axle ratio
1994 Exploder XLT, 4x4, auto trans and Pioneer cd player
What insurance company? They all have their own way of doing things, so as an example they might ask the shop, or you, some identifying type questions (as to damage) in order to rule out right away if it's a total loss. That might not mean it's a fixer, but they'd know to get more specific information (i.e., a complete estimate) before declaring it a total loss. It might give the adjuster the impression it's a fixer even though it might have additional damage.
A lot of insurance companies write their own estimates, although there are just as many that have a shop write the estimate. It doesn't really matter too much because any estimate is just that, an estimate, not a set in stone this is exactly what it'll cost to repair the vehicle.
In the state I live (insurance is state regulated, so it varies by state) a total loss is when the value of the vehicle is less than the repair cost (that's just a general definition, it's actually determined by the insurance company and usually when repair cost reaches approximately 80% of the vehicle's value). So, say it's a $18,000 truck and the repair cost is $10,000 and the salvage (the totalled vehicle) is worth $5,000 it would be a total loss ($10,000 + $5,000 salvage is greater than 80% of $18,000). Vehicle value has nothing to do with what is owed on the vehicle, but what the "market" value is, which is not dealer asking price/sticker price, but what an individual purchasing that same truck would pay for it (no one should pay sticker price).
Anyway, if it's at $9,000 plus frame damage it might still be a fixer, I don't know what they're worth, or what salvage is worth. Also, your state may handle total losses differently (I'm in Oregon). I know our labor rates are pretty high here, but frame straightening usually doesn't add a lot to the estimate here, it's not really that expensive, even on a big job. In my state however it is a total loss if the frame must be replaced (this is the way one insurance company handled frame replacement while another did not consider that to total the vehicle), and some frames cannot be repaired if the damage is too bad (some frames can be cut and a new "section" can be put in, some cannot).
Hi Ace:
Just got word from State Farm, my insurer, and the truck is a total loss. Their settlement offer was very fair as well. So I am officially looking for a replacement F250.
I thought it might be State Farm, they don't write their own sheets (estimates). They're usually pretty good with total loss values too. Sorry to hear about the accident and you no longer having the truck but hopefully you'll get into something as nice.
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2005 F250 V10, CC, SB, 4x4, 4.30 axle ratio
1994 Exploder XLT, 4x4, auto trans and Pioneer cd player
I feel your pain. You can see my gallery, same kind of thing with the Expedition. I only got 3,400$ in damages though, no airbag deployment. Police man was not too far behind me (local deputy) couldn't believe as he watched that I didn't roll. I was cresting a hill and it had been raining hard (about 9 inches in the last few days). As I crested the hill a dog crossed the road and I hit the brakes which sent me into a spin. 2 360's to the left sideways into the ditch then another 3 360's the other way. I hit the ditch at 62mph. Anyways as I said, the pics are in the gallery. I feel for you man...but be glad you have your life. I never want to experience what I did again, I look up and see the line of trees in front of me...I swore it wasn't going to stop, that I was going to go right into that tree...hate thinking about it.
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2004 Expedition
Eddie Baur 4x2
5.4L 2v Triton V8
NEW: 2 3/4" pipe with Flowmaster Super 50 Delta Flow Muffler and 3.5"x18" echo tip WOOT
Upcoming:
Dual 16" Troyer performance fans
WAAG grill guard
Scanguage II
all corners air suspension
It sure is scary isn't it losing control and not being able to stop. I keep having these flashbacks of driving staight into that concrete barrier wall.
Glad you are o.k., but sure sounds like a good excuse to buy that pretty bronze 2010 f-250.
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2008 ford f-250 cc 5.4 super duty , raider hi rise camper top with thule ladder racks, front winch bumper top gun, rear bumper top gun,12,000 lb. winch, 98 gal. aux tank, on board 12 volt puma air compressor w/10gal tank and 50' auto hose reel,1000 amp 2nd battery,1,000,2,500,6,000 watt power inverters, 9" hid lights, running boards, air horns by hadley, xm radio, fac. 6 cd nav. center, air bags, cb,2-4'12volt flourescent lights in back.
I went off the road twice due to ice. I also went into an oncoming lane due to ice (I say due to ice, but really it was my speed on ice I guess). I still get nervous when it's cold and the road is "shiny", not knowing when it's wet and when it's ice. It used to really freak me out, bad.
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2005 F250 V10, CC, SB, 4x4, 4.30 axle ratio
1994 Exploder XLT, 4x4, auto trans and Pioneer cd player
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