what are the chances of a brand new truck being totaled after a wreck?

Question

I had a wreck not too long ago in my brand new truck. I mean *brand new*. The damage went into the core support but I'm not sure of the magnitude of the damage. The radiator and fan are crushed, the guts of my truck like the shock tower are hanging out, the hood is concaved about 6 inches and the bumper is completely demolished among many other details; however, I heard that the adjuster would only total it if the cost to repair exceeds what we paid...I highly doubt the repairs will get that expensive plus the truck was brand new. Everyone I've talked to says it can be repaired (my wise old father, my mechanic, even the body shop fellow) but I'd appreciate opinions from people who don't know me and therefore aren't just trying to cheer me up. Like I said..the damage is into the core support...bent frame, damaged radiator, damaged shock tower, destroyed grill and bumper...but it was new. And precious.

Answer 1

My father-in-law owns and runs 2 autobody shops, but from conversations with him and depending on the state and province most cars/trucks will be totalled if the price of repairs exceeds 80-85% of the vehicles net worth.

Answer 2

Well equipped body and frame shops can do wonders today. If you can squeeze a new frame out of the insurance company go for it. Everything else bolts on and the shop isn't going to reuse a broken or damaged part. I personally saw a new Dodge diesel smashed in the front. The insurance company totaled it in a wink because the radiator, trans cooler, inner-cooler and air conditioning cooler were wadded. Other damage was the left front top and bottom A arm and a bent spindle. I'm betting your truck will be totaled. Good luck.

Answer 3

The number is more like 40%. If the actual frame is bent then you can forget it. In order to bend the frame back into shape effectively then the metal must be heated quite a bit and then hammered or whatever back into it's originally shape. When any metal is heated like this then it looses its original tensile strength and there is a safety issue. If there is a safety issue then the insurance company will total the vehicle rather then risk another claim that could involved severe injuries. Remember fixing a truck and fixing a human being are total entirely different things and the costs are different as night and day. Depending on how severe the damage is to the frame will determine if the insurance company wants to insure any additional risk. Remember any good mechanic can fix a car but only the really good ones will level with you when there is risk of future structure failure. They are there to make money and will do anything to get your business especially when an insurance company is flipping the bill.

Dave

Answer 4

They may decide that it will cost more to fix the frame and all of the other parts than it will to replace the truck.

Where the really bad news comes in is that if you had a loan on the truck, you will probably lose money on the deal if they total it. The insurance company will only give you the value of the truck, not the price you paid and not the interest that the finance company has charged you for the loan of the money. My sister had a similar deal and she was making payments for $3,000 on a car that had been totaled.

Answer 5

from your description, depending on how bad the frame has been bent and other damages that still arnt seen the chance's are good at it being totalled out. it actually all really depends on the insurance company you have and the adjuster to add up all the parts that the body shop tells them that need to be replaced. they then add all this up and compare it to the vehicles price. if it is too close to call then its totalled. parts can be exchanged frames can be straightened out and so forth. it all lays on the shoulders of the adjuster to decide if its worth it or not now. sorry about the loss of a truck. hope the drivers ok.

Answer 6

It's true they will not total the truck unless repairs are more than the value of the truck. Best thing to do is repair the truck and If it doesn't suit you trade. Bumpers can be replace and frames can be straightened. Sounds like that it is not too bad so if you really like the truck fix it and enjoy it.

Answer 7

You can total anything if you set your mind to it. How bad the damages are is a matter of visual inspection. Bent frame - how bad??
New means that the whole car is involved when you get a ding (kinda like a house of cards) Is it that bad that it has fallen apart completely?
The old trucks, the part that got hit was changed. Much more simpler....to fix.

Answer 8

Just as good as any other vehicle being totaled.
Body shops can fix some frames, but there is a huge problem of body shops not doing good work, and people do not know it because it's hard to see. Do a search online and you will see it has been all over the papers and consumer affairs, etc.
I would try to get it totaled. Once they have been that bent up they will never be the same.

Answer 9

The only way an insurance adjuster will "total out" your vehicle is if the amount it takes to fix it is more than the truck is worth.Chances are your gonna have to drive around a truck thats already been through a body shop.It will never be the same afterwards.I know your not gonna like my answer but it is the truth.The vehicle will never ever be the same after a wreck.You will know a difference after it is "fixed".Sorry.

Answer 10

If it is going to cost more than %80 of the truck's value to have it repaired, they will generally "total" it. You're going to have to have an adjuster look at it.

"Brand New" means you drove it off the lot and into a pole - and even then, it had already lost 30% of it's value because you got it off the lot.

So basically, if the truck cost you $20,000 to start with, the insurance company will "total it" if it costs more than $12,000 to repair ( 80% of 70% of 20,000).