Bronco Possibly Totaled

[Steve_In_29]

After our accident on Wednesday, my wife had been hurting more then I thought was normal for a seat belt bruise. So yesterday I took her to the bigger hospital in Show Low (pop 15K plus thousands of tourists) to visit the Urgent Care. Well the empty UC told us she had to go to the packed ER instead. So 4 hours later, with us being no closer to getting seen then when we walked in the door, we left.

Today I took her to the smaller hospital in Springerville (pop 5K) and we were in and out in 3 hours. They did blood work, x-ray and CT scan. Results were that her sternum was broke in the accident. Everything was still in correct place but she will be in pain for roughly the next 6 weeks.

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[Steve_In_29]

Interesting. In my case it was getting rear ended. Obvious damage was bumper cover. Hidden damage was, of course, the actual bumper was damaged.

Every place I took it to said "the bumper itself is probably damaged, but we can only estimate what we can see for legal reasons". All reputable, high quality shops.

What they are doing is lowballing the estimate to get selected for the repair. Then will do a $$$ supplement after repair is locked in.

My body guy rarely had to do a supplement.

 

[Steve_In_29]

My mistake on the Bronco estimate. Turns out that was just the initial look and now State Farm has given them the go ahead to tear it apart and dig deeper.

So still could end up a total loss.

And apparently my Bronco is worth less than I thought (or they are using the lower end of spectrum as the basis) as the $20k is close to 65% of value. 75% is a loss.

 

[EquusBronsis]

My mistake on the Bronco estimate. Turns out that was just the initial look and now State Farm has given them the go ahead to tear it apart and dig deeper.

So still could end up a total loss.

And apparently my Bronco is worth less than I thought (or they are using the lower end of spectrum as the basis) as the $20k is close to 65% of value. 75% is a loss.

I had a similar accident last year, in fact it may have been a little worse. Judging for what the resale was I thought State Farm would value at around $32K-$35K but in fact they valued it in the low $40K's, at the high end. Repairs ended up at around $33K with OEM parts which I didn't have coverage for. My frame was also bent on the front drivers side and the body shop was able to straighten.

 

[Bronco21Maybe]

My mistake on the Bronco estimate. Turns out that was just the initial look and now State Farm has given them the go ahead to tear it apart and dig deeper.

So still could end up a total loss.

And apparently my Bronco is worth less than I thought (or they are using the lower end of spectrum as the basis) as the $20k is close to 65% of value. 75% is a loss.

I would push for totaling the vehicle. If they insist on repairs, DEMAND the diminished value amount they are due to pay you.

 

[Steve_In_29]

If it didn't get the front frame section I'm going with a $19.5K estimate before supplement.

During latest conversation the shop mentioned buying a frame.

 

[Steve_In_29]

I had a similar accident last year, in fact it may have been a little worse. Judging for what the resale was I thought State Farm would value at around $32K-$35K but in fact they valued it in the low $40K's, at the high end. Repairs ended up at around $33K with OEM parts which I didn't have coverage for. My frame was also bent on the front drivers side and the body shop was able to straighten.

Shop is saying they need to order a frame

 

[Steve_In_29]

I would push for totaling the vehicle. If they insist on repairs, DEMAND the diminished value amount they are due to pay you.

Can't file a DV claim against my own policy. So unless my company can find a policy that covered the at fault vehicle I'm screwed.

 

[Bronco21Maybe]

Can't file a DV claim against my own policy. So unless my company can find a policy that covered the at fault vehicle I'm screwed.

True. I guess you'd have to sue the driver and the owner of the other vehicle. If your insurance decides to make you repair it.

 

[flip]

Frame is about $6K, there should be a ton of one time use hardware that needs to be replaced and likely another 30+ hours to do the swap, not to mention the existing damage. Would like to see what the estimate comes to considering it's a '23 2D it's probably getting really close to total loss cap. There's other things involved but depending on the threshold % and valuation, most of the time a frame puts it over the top. Many broncos were totaled out early on simply due to frame backorders and not repair sections available at the time. A mild rear end tag with bumper, rear frame and/or cargo area floor intrusion was a death sentence.

Even if it's repaired to factory condition, Carfax/Autocheck is going to destroy trade value. IMO, it would almost be better to take the total loss and get something new rather than getting wrecked again on value if you intend to trade in then next couple of years.

 

[michelle227]

Yeah I'm torn between hoping its fixed but never right as you say and hoping its totaled. But then I have to search for a replacement 2 door V6.

No the seat belt bruised her up pretty good. Doesn't seem to have any other injuries from it.

As for myself (that braced) I have nothing.

If it is totaled, make sure to cite that you can no longer get certain things. Diminution of value can enter the equation, especially with the scarcity of 2dr anywhere. Your cost to replace becomes a real concern. You are not limited to their initial offer so go ahead and start searching what's on the market now for ballpark ranges...

Glad you and wife appear to be ok...

 

[michelle227]

Be glad the air bags did not deploy. My wife had a similar accident while driving, but the air bag deployed... It broke her left arm.

Concur. I still dont know if they contribute in the rollover I had in the F-Type. Broke left shoulder in two places and fractured eleven ribs on that side.

Not to mention that popped bags push a claim closer to a total...

 

[Beach_Bum]

Steve, there are a number of sites that you can search, but I have found the VIN Brothers aggregate site to be the most intuitive. Here is the link for Used 2-dr 2.7L Broncos. You can filter that down even further to specify trims such as WT, Stroppe, Limited HEs, etc.

 

[Steve_In_29]

If it is totaled, make sure to cite that you can no longer get certain things. Diminution of value can enter the equation, especially with the scarcity of 2dr anywhere. Your cost to replace becomes a real concern. You are not limited to their initial offer so go ahead and start searching what's on the market now for ballpark ranges...

Glad you and wife appear to be ok...

Thank you but unfortunately as I mentioned in a previous post, while I am fine, my wife broke her sternum in the crash. Doc said she will be in lots of pain for around 6 weeks. We are older so it's more serious for her then a younger person

As far as payout goes, I bought it used last 4th of July and have only made 10 (11th will be in a week) payments on the zero down loan so far. Due to that I'm not expecting to be offered much more then I owe, if that even.

I did get GAP (first time I ever took it on a loan) so no worries about still owing the bank if totaled.

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