Thread: value of wrecked streetrod pickup?

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What you can't see in the picture is that both framerails are bent about 40 degrees to the left at about the point where the idler arm and stabilizer bar bolt up. This is behind the crossmember that the radiator sits on. The parts list of bent sheetmetal and structures (not including the chassis) totals $2058 from LMC. Two body shops have said that they can fix the frame, but I don't think I'm out of line to want it replaced, which the shops aren't interested in getting involved with.
I think the most amicable solution is going to be the insurance paying me full value minus salvage (without tainting my title) and I will personally spend the hundreds of hours necessary to put the thing back together properly with all straight, new stuff. This way I will not have to do battle over inadequate repairs done by bad-attitude, slam-it-out professionals that are being micro-managed on this job by an insurance company guy that is bent on doing it cheap. The insurance company's obligation to provide a rental car will be done when they cut a check, which could make it the cheaper way to go for them.
I have to allow them the opportunity to repair, and I will..... on my terms and by contract!

Originally Posted by AzDon

How much did they subtract when you kept the salvage and did they force a salvage title on you? (if you don't mind me asking)

They actually didn't subtract anything, or try to force a salvage title. My lawyer heckeled them so much, they decided to pay me the amount estimated for repairs. Actually they paid it to my lawyer, and he kept his cut ... I brought it to a friend's body shop and let them have a crack at straightening the frame rails(mine was bent pretty much the same as you are describing yours). After that I decided to try out the 1 piece glass front cap. The total amount paid by the insurance compamy was closer to 10g. The lawyer cover the ambulance bill, ER bill, and of course the Heckeling. In the end I ended up with the middle estimate to repair my truck. Nothing more. Which is all I wanted in the first place.

Originally Posted by AzDon

What happens when they do it half-fast but it looks good to the un-discerning eye? Would a court not consider me petty for rejecting less-than-perfect repairs?

you have the right to have the vehicle repairs to your standards. if you feel the repair is less than what it should be, you reject the the vehicle repair, and have them fix it like you want it done. DO NOT sign anything untill you are satisfied with the job.

It turned out that the first appraiser that came out to see the truck was in philisophical agreement with me about it's value at 15K (nadaguides says 15k to 25k) and wrote his report in support of that value.
In the meantime, I had become quite stressed to learn that the insurance company uses Valuescope data to support whatever value conclusions they desire and make them psuedo-lawyerproof. Valuescope is an evil subcontract provider of of quasi-bogus values based on supposed published ad prices for vehicles that are usually found to be not comparable when Valuescope's victims do their homework.
Anyway, after 90 days of delays while we drove their rental car, we agreed to, and were paid 15k minus $900 we paid to retain the salvage. They did force a salvage title on me, though
I spent the next three months personally returning the truck to perfect straightness and I was able to do it for less than two grand.
I've learned the lesson that buying agreed value insurance would have eliminated the worry by having an insurance company with a stake in the outcome fighting for my value.
I'm currently pricing policies..... Does anybody know anything about Atlas/Elite or Classic Auto Insurance? A consumer can't be too careful these days!
Here it is: good as new!!

I personaly use American National Chrome insurance it is by far the most resonable and I have been in your shoes many times. They paid out quickly and never tried to low ball us. Glad to see the truck was repairable to your standards.

I'm glad to see that everything worked out and you got the truck repaired to original condition.

An agreed value policy is definitely the way you want to go. If the other persons' company stalls at paying, your insurer will usually pay to have the vehicle repair to yours and their satisfaction, then thy go after the other insurer. Keeps the customer happy and out of the litigation business.

I currently have my cars with Grundy Worldwide (www.grundy.com) have also had policies with Hagerty (www.hagerty.com). You can also get agreed value insurance from numerous other specialty insurance companies plus regular insurance companies, like State Farm. Just make sure you get an agreed value policy.

Glad to see you sort of came out of it ok. What about the salvage title, is that going to screw up anything licensing wise??? I have heard that salvage titles prohibit the car going back on the road.

Evidently you have checked this out I am sure. Truck looks great BTW. Gotta watch out for those little old ladies, when they panic they always go for the gas pedal.


Don

A salvage title in Arizona is convert-able to a "restored salvage" title which is functionally 100% useable. The downside is that your vehicle is then (supposedly) worth only half as much on the open market and when another incident arises involving insurance companies. Once the vehicle was minimally roadworthy, I was able to take it to MVD for a "level 3" inspection and pay $55 to get the "restored" title. There is no way to ever get rid of this designation except to rebuild the truck on a platform with a clear title. I need to get "agreed value" insurance more than ever now that value could be put into question. Thanks for the responses!