Fender bender - might get totalled!

[ticktock]

Wondering what is the best way to deal with this?

Ironically - the 2002 Discovery was at a local mechanic to have the throttle body warmer replaced because it was leaking.

They crashed the car into a wall while moving it around and caused damage to RH side. Headlight, fender, support for radiator is bent, radiator is leaking. It's not legally drivable now but runs fine.

Car is at a nearby body shop now. The mechanics insurance (Travelers) is probably going to total the car.

I'm bummed.

Over the summer I installed Terraferma front bumper, 5 new Tires, new emu shocks & springs all around, rotors, pads, the list goes on...

I ultimately want the truck back on the road...
how do i avoid a salvage title? Salvage! It's a freaking bent fender !!!
how do i get all the $$$ I NEED to fix this thing?

 

[stu454]

Insist?

 

[Tugela]

You took your truck in for a specific repair (presumably you had a work order in writing?) and the shop should at the very least return the truck to you in the same condition as you dropped it off plus the completed repair. If you don't want a salvage title then ask the shop to cover the cost of the repairs out of pocket, but good luck with that. If they comp you the throttle repair, great, but I wouldn't expect it. The original repair is the only thing you should have to pay for at this point.

Then again, it's a 13-year old Discovery whose value would probably not be affected by a salvage title. If you get a new radiator (insist OEM), coolant flush, and headlight out of the deal then that's one less headache you have to worry about long term.

Maybe this is a blessing in disguise. Perhaps replacing the radiator will prevent an overheating issue that would have happened 5 months from now.

 

[KBW7]

Good luck is all I can say. My 03 with 74K on it and no mechanical issues, no major dings other than a few car door dings, and perfect interior is valued by my insurance company at 1800 and taxes asses it at 1600. I have it insured for 10 and haven't found one ever in the shape mine is in. If I didn't have my insurance changed any little accident would total the truck. I found out how low the insurance company valued it when I had to fight the hell out of them to replace my front heated window. Only positive is my taxes are right below 50 bucks a year lol. My gf's piece of crap is around 300

 

[kade]

don't take any money from them until you tell them what you want. once you cash a check your debate is over. if they decline your offer, get a lawyer, or at least threaten them with one. it is normally more cost effective to pay out than fight the case. at tell the business that they need to also talk to the insurance company. it would be bad business to leave you out in the cold on this. you say a lot of things to the business that you might do if they don't make it right.

 

[My6speedz]

You might want to see a lawyer, you're basically going up against two forces with this one. Let them pay you and total it and buy it back. Its a D2 who cares if the title is salvaged. Then, sue the shop, their insurance will cover it. You shouldn't have to deal with this because their shop hand is a nitwit.

 

[dlittle]

Insurance totaled my '04 SE7 with 135k miles on it after it got flooded in Hurricane Arthur last summer in the Outer Banks. It had 2" lift, big tires, full roof rack, ladder. It was in okay condition. Adjuster said I'm not going to give anything for all the accessories. He said take them all off and put some shitty wheels on it. I did (got wheels from Will). They gave me $6700 but would not let me buy it back because it was a flood vehicle. Just to show how great my DII was, it drove us (8hrs) all the way back home after being flooded. It ran like shit but it got us home.

 

[KyleT]

Let them total it and get a better nicer one.

 

[ticktock]

Update on this -

They say the truck 2002 D2 w/140k miles is worth $3920.00.

I showed them 15 months worth of invoices totalling 3500+ from AB, RN, DAP (damn! can't believe I spent so much) which they "will utilize 50% of the value"... I had no invoice for any labor because I did all the work myself FOR FREE apparently!

I want 8k but it doesn't look likely.

This is where I'm at now.
Vehicle Value $ 3,929.00
Invoices + $1,761.00
Adjusted Vehicle Value $5,690.00
Less Salvage $803.00
Settlement to retain vehicle $4,887.00

If they negotiate the salvage price to $0, I'd take $5690 & the truck and fix it myself... still sounds really low to me considering the 50% value on parts and 100% discount on labor.

I'm looking for comparables but only another 2002 will satisfy them.

 

[LRflip]

take the money for the total, buy it back salvage title.

repair it with cheapfuck parts from Buckhorn Imports, Will Tillery, or Marty.

Build the shit out of it with the remaining insurance money then enjoy.

If you plan to keep it for forever or until it catches fire, who cares if it has a salvage title?

This is more of a blessing really.

 

[LRflip]

additionally, recent repairs and aftermarket parts do not add value to the vehicle.

IMHO, you're lucky they're considering 50% of recent "scheduled maintenance".

Also, get a real bumper.

 

[My6speedz]

additionally, recent repairs and aftermarket parts do not add value to the vehicle.

IMHO, you're lucky they're considering 50% of recent "scheduled maintenance".

Also, get a real bumper.

^^^This

I'm surprised they even listened to you and didn't tell you to pound sand.

 

[KyleT]

Buy a non wrecked one and swap your stuff over.

 

[Buddy]

additionally, recent repairs and aftermarket parts do not add value to the vehicle.

IMHO, you're lucky they're considering 50% of recent "scheduled maintenance".

Also, get a real bumper.

X2 take the money and run.

 

[stu454]

Yeah, if you can get $5k or so and keep the truck, find another D2 for $2 or 3k, swap your good stuff over. Then keep any other good parts for spares and sell the rest to the scrap man.

Use the remaining money for preventive maintenance and further upgrades.

 

[mike97d1]

In some states you can get the DMV to reinstate a clean title if they inspect the vehicle before and after the repairs.

 

[mike97d1]

Also, get a real bumper.

What's wrong with the bumper. I love my TF bumper.

 

[unpolire]

I have been in your exact situation. If you submit your receipts in addition to proof of all factory options, you can increase the amount paid to you by their insurance company. I increased one payment by $3,000. In another instance my 97 Disco was rear-ended. The cost of replacing the rear door ( they cannot guarantee repairing the alloy) exceeded my Uninsured Motorist coverage by $1,500, so my insurance sent me a check for $3,500 and did NOT salvage my vehicle!