Not all states allow for diminished value so the OP needs to look at his states laws first. Then worst case (if his state allows it but insurance refuses), he takes them to small claims and sues them for it.

Typically diminished value is a % of what the truck is worth, not the damage. The less the vehicle is worth, the less the DV. If your vehicle is worth $15k and you get $8 in damage, they arent going to give you $4k. You generally can get about 10% of the value of the vehicle in DV. Insurance will also look at quality of repair and usually will inspect it afterwards to make sure it is back to OEM standards.

I had $6k in damage, got $3,500 in DV which was less then the 10% but it wasnt going on Carfax. If I wanted more, I would have had to use them. I preferred not to go that route so accepted it (that was their 3rd and final offer.. I was trying for $5k).

 

I'm a bit confused, is Geico your insurance company or that of the women who pulled out in front of you causing the accident? If she was at fault why are you paying for a rental? Did she not have insurance and you had to go thru your insurance companies uninsured motorist process?

 

Problem with the insurance is we both have Geico, the at fault driver and I. You'd think it would be better but it's not. I've beaten them up for weeks! We will see what happens when all is complete. I mentioned the Diminished value in hopes of getting the entire frame. They seem to not care. Monday will be 9 weeks! Body shop submitting a reworked supplement Monday, which will take Geico a week to review. soooo, 10 weeks before they will even order the parts and start to disassemble, remove engine/tranny, etc..

 

So my full frame part cost is roughly $8300 plus 20 hrs labor, with the section being $4000 for part and 14 hrs labor. The front and rear sections can be ordered thru Ford separately from a full frame. The only labor difference is not removing rear end/suspension.

As for rental car questions in other responses, I have Geico, so does the at-fault. Only 30 days rental is covered. When it's all said and done, I may get some back from her policy. And I cant' sue my own Insurance company. I have considered going to the Insurance commission, but I don't know if it's warranted despite disagreement with repairs.

 

The whole thing sucks. I think a lot depends on how you use your truck. I mean if its a work truck hauling and plowing snow and your going to keep it and use it... I doubt youll ever know the difference. You could damage your own frame a few MM hitting something plowing. Alignment should be able to eliminate risk of tire wear etc. Doesnt seem like you ordered an 80 thousand dollar truck to haul bricks...
My problem with all this is that you definitely lost value. The truck will be fine. It will be safe and youll never know. Until you go to trade and the carfax comes up. Then they will ding you for the accident. Thats already fact. I doubt full frame or partial will effect you in any great way. Unless the inside of the frame rusts at the repair.
I feel like the longer you keep it the less impact of the loss. No matter how pretty it is now... some day a kid is going to get it and use it for off roading... or a mason is going to throw broken concrete in the bed from 10 feet away. They wont care if the frame was sectioned 15 years ago.
But what if you intended to trade up in a year or two?. What will the dealer tell you about the car fax? Its a way upscale truck so Im thinking the trade is more likely to impact you. I think knowing your actual diminished value would help figure out the best way forward...
Maybe go to a dealer and ask about trading it? Actually tell them exactly what happened and see what they say about taking it in trade for a 2020....
I feel for you...I think the actual damage is less than the psychological damage. However its repaired it will function fine if done skillfully.

 

I'd hold the Body Shop responsible. As soon as they realized the Frame was Bent, they should have stopped. There are procedures for hidden and undisclosed damages. Totally, 100% their responsibility.

 

Why can’t you sue your own insurance company? Is it some state reg. thing?

 

Apparently it is a state thing with suing your own insurance company.

So, the latest development is I will have to find another place to do the repair. The body shop that found the frame damage after the original repairs by the dealer can not handle the repair. They do not have the right set up and jig for the F250 frame. They recommended taking it elsewhere to insure it is done right. I appreciated their honesty, the only honesty I have experienced during this ordeal. Geico and dealer want to blame each other. I JUST WANT MY TRUCK REPAIRED!

I am disappointed in both the dealership I brought the truck to for repair, as well as Geico. Neither thought to have the frame checked for damage during the multiple inspections at the dealership by both the dealer's techs and the adjusters approving the repairs. The only thing it changes is the overall length of time, aggravation and resulting rental costs for me. But the costs are mounting and my patience is gone from all the stress of this BS.

Any recommendations in Central Florida for a body shop, or dealer with body shop, who can repair the frame and handle the engine removal, tranny removal, cab and body lift, etc, etc, ?

 

I once had my car repaired at a recommended place due to mechanical damages and body damages. I was told that "this place" could do mechanical repairs.

So, ok, lets do it. This place used aftermarket body parts and junk yard mechanical parts and farmed out all the mechanical. I found that out by checking on the car.

Got the car back, Body looked like garbage. I call my insurance company back and took it to another place, the one I wanted in the first place, Had it inspected and they basically did the whole car again and billed the first body shop.

Find a good repair shop and stick with them.

 

A medium to heavy duty truck repair facility will most likely be your best choice. These types of facilities are usually backed up with vehicles needing on the frame machine for repairs.

You need to find a facility that can properly set up & measure the truck and then have the capability to make the necessary pulls, if needed.. I deal with this type of stuff in NC and know how limited body shops and dealerships are when it come to Super Duties and frame damage analysis

The Insurance Company should not walk away from you with this issue and keep the communication going. If a repair facility is too far away, meaning the truck will need to be towed out of state or it will take several weeks or months to diagnose the issue. This might allow them to consider totaling the vehicle for economical reasons. Considering rental / repair / DV.

Continue to work with them and communicate is key. Trust me.

 

Sorry, but I'd still get a lawyer even if you and s/he doesn't intend to sue. The reason: corporate types tend to react (one way or another) to strongly worded letters from law offices. Everyone tends to throw shade at legal folks until they need representation; I tell you from personal experience they can be worth every penny. In your case, nobody has your interests at heart...except, apparently, the shop that admitted it couldn't handle the repairs (unless they just wanted you out of their hair!).

TXCOMT

 

You seriously need to talk with a insurance litigation attorney.