Will they total out my truck with a bent axle?

Question

I had a minor accident this past weekend due to icy roads (single car accident) but I put the truck in the ditch. Somehow, although going slow (no ticket given or anything) I bent up the tire- not the rim- the tire is sitting with the top leaning inward now. I was told that I probably bent the axle. There was very little damange otherwise- it will need a new bumper, passenger door, and a passenger door mirror besides the wheel work. I spun into a 4" in diameter tree. Tree did not even break just "knicked" the tree- the truck looks worse than the tree by far but like I said- the truck even looks like it has very little damage. It is a 2003 Ford Ranger and I do have a good insurance company. What is the chance they will try to total out the truck due to the bent axle and maybe a minor flaw with the frame right there. The axle is probably bent but the shop was not sure about the frame yet as they are looking into it all today. They told me they can straighten the frame if necessary.

I just got a call from the body shop/mechanic and the frame and axle are fine. Total of damage is about $3100.00 so it won't be totaled out, yeah. The wheel seemed to be sitting at an angle due to some way Ford builds their dual suspension system or something. It is fine now. I trust the guy- he is a great mechanic and body repairman. He can be trusted. Now I can breathe a sigh of relief.

Answer 1

depends you didnt say theyear of the car if you bent the front wheel or rear Iknow Iknow axles are on rear but hey some dont know that if it is a front and your car is new NO they wont total it if you have frame damage it can be fixed if your car is old then they may total it but remember if they do you are not obligated to give the car to them dispite what they would say you can keep the car. Insurance compaines have us all on the rib making us think we gotta give up the car ,not so, you pay for there service and they have fulfilled their obligation and it does not include keeping your salvavge.

Answer 2

Not very likely, your truck should still be worth 8 or 10 grand so 2 or 3 grand in damage won't be enough to total it out. Go hit the tree again on the other side. Good luck.

Answer 3

Unless you have collision coverage, your insurance will not be the least interested in your situation. If you just have PL and PD, it covers what you have damaged that belongs to others, so they would pay for the tree, but not your car. If you do have collision coverage they will make that determination based on several criteria. If the repairs would cost more than the worth of the vehicle, they will total it out and pay you the worth of the vehicle at the time of loss, adjusted for condition, less any deductible.

Get your estimate of costs, then talk to your insurance company.

Answer 4

If the cost of repairs is higher than the cost to replace, well do the math. If I am insurance company and it costs $4 to fix and $2 to replace, I will total it and replace.
It is good that you are talking to a mechanic. But the if necessary part is what they are talking about, if it costs more to straighten than replace the part, well do the math.
I personally would want a replaced truck rather than a goofed up frame. But if it can be fixed, correctly then that is what you do.

Answer 5

i own a repair shop,and i doubt that they total it out,they might if the amount of the damages add up to be 80% of the trucks value then they,ll total it out,other wise they,ll fix it back for you, if it was a 2000 model they would have totaled it,good luck with it,i hope this help,s.

Answer 6

Go to: http://www.nada.com and price your vehicle by following the procedures listed on the website.

Figure out if the repair-cost falls within 80% of the figure you obtained from http://www.nada.com

If it does -- You have a totaled vehicle on your hands if you leave it up to the insurance.

Answer 7

bent axel is cheap to fix...