Rear Ended After 2 Payments

[huey]

If you build a bumper that mounts past the crumple zones and boxes them, then you eliminate the crumple zone and reinforce it...

.....and completely remove the functionality of the crumple zone

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[Holiday]

Very sad to see, OP. I hope you can get this resolved to get into a new Bronco versus having to deal with a repair on this scope. I live in fear of mine getting hit by someone not paying attention after the long wait and knowing a new one now costs $7k more than I paid.

I wonder what they would charge you to buy it back after totaling. The hardtop alone could net you ~$6k if it's not damaged. Best of luck to you for a satisfactory resolution!

 

[BBQBennz]

Since your Bronco may be Carfax listed with structural damage, make sure you get a certified adjuster to give you the value without the accident damage vs. what the value is post repairs. Then fight to get the insurance company to pay the DM Value in addition to the proper repairs at the shop of your choice. At lease you will be somewhat financially whole. Glad you were not injured.

 

[colonelburke]

Sorry to hear this OP. BBQ is right. The diminished value is the value of the vehicle unrepaired (prior to the accident) and its value after the accident. Easy math is say it was worth $50k one second before the accident and is worth $40k in its reapired state. The dimished value is $10k. Like property damage, insurance companies are rather formulaic in that the property damage is usually that with little wiggle room. However, DM can be haggled. I remember a guy who had a 2002 BMW Z8. The adjuster wanted to lowball him on DM and so he hired a car appraisal guy who was pushing hard for a much higher number. She thought it was ridiculous, but being a car guy, I realized the value of the vehicle and sided with the owner. The adjuster wasnt crazy about it since she hired me, but those were the facts and the owner got a much higher DM recovery. If they don't total it, fight hard for diminished value as that will be money you lose when you got to sell or trade it in. Good luck!

 

[JayMac]

Sounds about right. Same thing happened to me. The guy took off after he did as well, but we were able to catch up to him. Totally drunk, couldn't complete a sentence. I mean he took off with his front end curled up and airbags deployed. Surprisingly didn't do that much damage, $4600 worth.

 

[10K_Vet]

Sounds about right. Same thing happened to me. The guy took off after he did as well, but we were able to catch up to him. Totally drunk, couldn't complete a sentence. I mean he took off with his front end curled up and airbags deployed. Surprisingly didn't do that much damage, $4600 worth.

That's why I leave the ball hitch installed. When they hit that, they'll know they hit something.

 

[SubmarineNuke]

That’s what I’m trying to do. I actually found a better one, that I put a deposit on and got delivered to the lot yesterday, when Gieco told me it was totaled at first. Don’t know why USAA is giving me such a hard time. They can easily get their money back from Gieco since they have it in their records that they wanted to total it from the start.

100% this is what should be happening. You can go through your own insurance and all they do is pay you now for repairs etc, then go after the other drivers insurance to recoup their loss. It also should not affect your rates. Provide them with all the information, original quotes etc and let USAA make it right. But 100% push for total and get a new Bronco. This one will never be made "right" no matter how many repairs it has.

 

[BluebroncoNC]

This totaled my first 6G. If you need to talk about the experience you can PM me. Double check your rear floorboard in the "trunk" that it isn't crumpled a bit. That replacement part is from the firewall back.

I can certainly relate to what your going through, its giving me flash backs, heh. My face impacted the steering wheel, so I got a free ride to the ER and some scans, whoot whoot. PM me if you wish.

Edit: Finally had proof for my wife, I do indeed have a brain.

 

[Lonestar777]

I'm laughing at the people suggesting you "fight" with the insurance company. What exact leverage do people think you have to fight them with? A few years ago my wife was in a bad accident, and our vehicle was totaled. I repeatedly argued with the insurance company over the total payout check, showed tons of comparable vehicles for sale at higher prices, showed receipts for work we recently had done (4 brand new tires, etc.). In the end they said that was their offer and I could either accept the check or not. I even tried hiring an attorney, and none were interested in property damage. They would only get involved if there was a personal injury claim on top of the property.

 

[Cloak]

I'm laughing at the people suggesting you "fight" with the insurance company. What exact leverage do people think you have to fight them with? A few years ago my wife was in a bad accident, and our vehicle was totaled. I repeatedly argued with the insurance company over the total payout check, showed tons of comparable vehicles for sale at higher prices, showed receipts for work we recently had done (4 brand new tires, etc.). In the end they said that was their offer and I could either accept the check or not. I even tried hiring an attorney, and none were interested in property damage. They would only get involved if there was a personal injury claim on top of the property.

It must vary by company then. I know people who work for insurance companies that say you can haggle a bit here and there

 

[Dorf2point0]

OUCH.. That is terrible.. When you were hit, you got hit two ways.. Damage to the poor Bronco 🥲 and damage to the Bronco’s reputation….

 

[Lonestar777]

It must vary by company then. I know people who work for insurance companies that say you can haggle a bit here and there

You can haggle all you want (and you should), but there is nothing to force them to take your counter offer. They have all the power.

 

[OCNORB1974]

I wonder if the OP had even the stock steel bumpers if he would have fared better vs. the plastic?

No.

 

[Devils68]

You can haggle all you want (and you should), but there is nothing to force them to take your counter offer. They have all the power.

Most states have clauses in the policy where you can get your own appraisal for your vehicle value. Then that appraiser will go back and forth with the insurance company. Just did it for my dad in Az.

 

[BeerRunner]

I know but still, it definitely needs reinforced! They, as bumper makers, should have known better...

glad I saw this, thanks for sharing. I have the same fear after about to take delivery of my Bronco on Monday. Bumpers are the first and only thing I’ll do for my empty wallet.

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