Dealing with insurance totaling my vehicle.

msggunny

Well-known member
Aug 3, 2007
2,978
3
Holly Ridge, NC
So, if I decide to not buy back my 04D2 from the insurance people can I strip stuff off of it before they tow it away or will that reduce the amount they give me. Basically if I take the winch bumper and winch off, or the stereo system, or engine, will they not give me the agreed amount? Never dealt with this issue before, trying to see what I can get away with....

Thanks.
 

DiscoHasBeen

Well-known member
Aug 7, 2016
1,171
262
Indy
So, if I decide to not buy back my 04D2 from the insurance people can I strip stuff off of it before they tow it away or will that reduce the amount they give me. Basically if I take the winch bumper and winch off, or the stereo system, or engine, will they not give me the agreed amount? Never dealt with this issue before, trying to see what I can get away with....

Thanks.
With some carriers yes, if you remove parts it will effect the settlement. I had just installed a aftermarket head unit in the kids Explorer when someone hit him and totaled it. I didn't think about it until after the insurance company offered me a settlement. So I called and asked if I could have the body shop remove it. They said yes, let us know if you do and we will adjust the payout. I even offered to ship the original unit to the body shop but they still said it would lower the settlement. More than likely they are going to sell your rig to someone who will part it out. So....
 

msggunny

Well-known member
Aug 3, 2007
2,978
3
Holly Ridge, NC
With some carriers yes, if you remove parts it will effect the settlement. I had just installed a aftermarket head unit in the kids Explorer when someone hit him and totaled it. I didn't think about it until after the insurance company offered me a settlement. So I called and asked if I could have the body shop remove it. They said yes, let us know if you do and we will adjust the payout. I even offered to ship the original unit to the body shop but they still said it would lower the settlement. More than likely they are going to sell your rig to someone who will part it out. So....
Makes sense
 

Robbie

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2004
1,463
1
NOVA
Probably depends on what you are removing and if you are at least replacing. My truck was sitting in a yard before insurance made it out to review it. I replaced winch/winch bumper with a stock bumper, removed roof rack and few other odds and ends. Truck looked complete and I received full total.
 

discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
If it was mine I would get that bumper off and a shitty used bumper would go back on it. Fuck them, your only getting paid what any clapped out Disco is worth. As long it’s got a front bumper on it they would pay heavy and like it. So I’m saying get your shit off the truck.
 

Blue

Well-known member
Mar 26, 2004
10,043
856
AZ
Agree 100%

give them a truck with 4 doors, 4 tires, 4 seats, front and rear bumpers, and a big cup of shut the fuck up.
 
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Blueboy

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2004
3,205
459
Back in the USA; Rockwood, PA
So, if I decide to not buy back my 04D2 from the insurance people can I strip stuff off of it before they tow it away or will that reduce the amount they give me. Basically if I take the winch bumper and winch off, or the stereo system, or engine, will they not give me the agreed amount? Never dealt with this issue before, trying to see what I can get away with....

Thanks.
When the ‘93 RRC was totaled the settlement was very low which was great as I had planned on buying it back for all the upgraded parts. Transferred everything to a ‘94 Rangie including the RPI engine. If you’re thinking about getting another D2 and you know yours maybe leave everything on it and buy it back from insurance company.
 

DiscoHasBeen

Well-known member
Aug 7, 2016
1,171
262
Indy
Probably depends on what you are removing and if you are at least replacing. My truck was sitting in a yard before insurance made it out to review it. I replaced winch/winch bumper with a stock bumper, removed roof rack and few other odds and ends. Truck looked complete and I received full total.
From his post, it sounds like he's already agreed on a settlement. If not then this is good advice. I guess the other thing a person could do is replace anything you have originals for and then hold on to them for two or three weeks and see if insurance squawks.

If however, the OP takes the "F you" route as some have suggested I'd hope he would follow up with how that goes. The couple of times I've had vehicles totaled an adjuster called and we spent no small amount of time going over what options the vehicle had, any upgrades I had made to it, etc so that I received the "max amount due". I'm pretty sure sending them a vehicle not as described would have resulted in a follow-up phone call or two.
 

Blue

Well-known member
Mar 26, 2004
10,043
856
AZ
I agree with above....if the adjuster has placed value on the add-ons and is compensating you for it. Sometimes they refuse to adjust compensation upwards for "all the extras" so, in that case, you give them basic truck no add-ons.