Totaled NOOOOOO! What now?

[CaseyJ]

I got rear-ended while I was at a full stop a month ago. We continued driving the Bronco around until we could get it into the shop. Just heard back from the shop, and with the damage to the frame, it's totaled. Looking for any advice on what to do next, take the insurance payout, and walk away? Repurchase it from insurance and try and get the frame pulled? Sort out a way to mount the bumper/tow hitch so that it's even? It's a bummer because it drives just fine, and we've only had it for about eight months. Yes, I know towing abilities would be compromised with this sort of damage.

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[BigBendBW]

If insurance payout is what it should be, I’d find an abandoned order or stock order and get a new one. More common to find them now more than ever.

 

[Fishwrinkle]

^^^this.
Unless you have tons of aftermarket stuff on it then I’d consider buyback

 

[flip]

I'm going to question the insurance estimate without questioning the insurance estimate. Beside the damage shown in the pic, what else are they claiming is pushing it over the limit? Is the frame forward of that point tweaked? The rear section MB3Z-5F040-K is available as well as the whole frame NB3Z-5005-G. Unless there're some body panels damaged and not available or it needs the whole cab assembly, I'm not seeing a total loss there.

 

[CaseyJ]

I'm going to question the insurance estimate without questioning the insurance estimate. Beside the damage shown in the pic, what else are they claiming is pushing it over the limit? Is the frame forward of that point tweaked? The rear section MB3Z-5F040-K is available as well as the whole frame NB3Z-5005-G. Unless there're some body panels damaged and not available or it needs the whole cab assembly, I'm not seeing a total loss there.

There is damage to the rear bumper, the tow hitch, and the rear gate. There is damage forward from the tweaked point of the frame.

 

[Headsong]

That's a total? Huh. 50k+ to fix it?

 

[BroncocnorB]

Total loss just means salvage value is probably strong and the insurance adjuster doesn’t wanna fix it. It’ll be a loss with multiple repair supplements as it’s torn down. $50,000 ACV - $30,000 salvage value means you just need $20,000 in repair costs to total it. Or whatever similar variables are involved. Lot of insurers don’t wanna mess with lengthy repairs, especially considering rental car costs and possible diminution in value claims on repairs.

total loss settlements are MUCH easier for adjusters. No coming back to a shop endlessly every time a new nozzle or fastener is discovered damaged. The adjuster inspects, writes an estimate, gets a salvage bid, and walks away. Next claim. Plus, you’re driving yours, so there’s no shop storage costs to factor into the math.

 

[flip]

There is damage to the rear bumper, the tow hitch, and the rear gate. There is damage forward from the tweaked point of the frame.

Frame, bumper, rear gate still shouldn't total it which means it's likely the body itself is buckled somewhere or some of the repair parts aren't available. We repaired a rear hit and were able to pull the rear floor which wasn't available at the time otherwise it would've likely been T'd. Difference between that and your hit is his didn't get into the frame.

I've seen less damage total one out but if you've been driving around for a month, it's difficult to think the damage is that significant. What insurance did the other driver have? What are they offering for a settlement? I'd love to see the estimate if you cared to share. Probably completely legit but very curious to see what they came up with.

 

[lapazleo]

I think the insurance company is totaled. They will sell to a salvage rebuild shop and they will repair it and sell it for big money. I would suggest seeking legal council.

 

[2023bronco]

Seems fishy

 

[omi205]

If the payout covers all costs and you get to, at the very least, walk away clean…then its a no brainer. Take that and find yourself a new bronco. Getting a new car is always nice. You don’t want a salvaged title vehicle. You dont want any headaches/issues that could surface after longer usage. Selling it will be a pain. Just walk away now if you can. You will find another one.

 

[projectbadlands]

2021 Badlands 4dr 2.7

I had a front passenger corner collision when someone decided to turn in front of me. Ripped off the entire front passenger wheel. Needed new knuckle, axle, front differential assembly, all the brake lines, tire, wheel, front core, radiator plus body. Ended up costing the insurance $35,000 in repairs, $5000 in dimished, plus loss of wages, injury, cost of rental $2200 and this did not total it at all.

I took this opportunity to get ADV Fiberglass fenders and a few other goodies.

 

[MadMan4BamaNATL]

I think the insurance company is totaled. They will sell to a salvage rebuild shop and they will repair it and sell it for big money. I would suggest seeking legal council.

Without anyone injured, there‘s nothing here for a lawyer.

You can’t sue your insurance company, as you’ve signed an iron clad agreement for arbitration. Only a class action would be possible and that’s a tall order.

You just accused his insurance company of fraud, so I hope you know how inflammatory that would be to prove in court, not to mention how costly.

OP should in no way keep that truck with a salvage title unless it’ll only be a trailer haul with a cage added and used as a toy. If the other person’s insurance has totaled, I’d have my insurance take a second opinion.

Take the settlement after a strong negotiation. Then go find a Bronco someplace on a lot as someone wrote already; that’s the smart money option here.

 

[flip]

Assuming the settlement is sufficient and covers all but the normal depreciation, taking it and looking for a replacement is likely the easiest and least stressful option. Still, being in this business for a long time and seeing lots of wrecked vehicles, my curiosity is piqued.

 

[PrepVet]

Total loss just means salvage value is probably strong and the insurance adjuster doesn’t wanna fix it. It’ll be a loss with multiple repair supplements as it’s torn down. $50,000 ACV - $30,000 salvage value means you just need $20,000 in repair costs to total it. Or whatever similar variables are involved. Lot of insurers don’t wanna mess with lengthy repairs, especially considering rental car costs and possible diminution in value claims on repairs.

total loss settlements are MUCH easier for adjusters. No coming back to a shop endlessly every time a new nozzle or fastener is discovered damaged. The adjuster inspects, writes an estimate, gets a salvage bid, and walks away. Next claim. Plus, you’re driving yours, so there’s no shop storage costs to factor into the math.

This is true, my Expedition was totaled because of one part. The intercooler was like $1,500 but with it's and the radiator support it put it over the threshold. I told USAA I would move the car, on my own dime, to a different shop to get a different estimate. But the adjust said it was finding the parts more than the price that killed it. The insurance company wasn't going to wait 8 -18 months for the parts so they totaled it. I told him I would find used pieces or pull parts from a rear-wrecked junker but they would have none of it. I was pissed they totaled it. But I did not want to buy it back and do the work myself/at the shop just to have a now branded titled car. I am still upset they totaled it from a freaking deer.

My long winded, partially needless complain post, is that it is not always the parts/labor cost but now a days the parts availability that also possible lead to a declaration of total loss.

OP, good luck! I agree with some other posts and say good bye to it and see if you can find one at MSRP or better somewhere.

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