I was in an accident the other day (other driver was at fault, stated in police report). The driver hit my 1995 GMC Yukon resulting in a Busted wheel, broken tie rod, needs a new front bumper & bumper trim, side moldings down the drivers side, and the lower doors need to be repainted from deep scratches. The damage resulted in a $1500 estimate to repair, which isn't a lot, but my truck is 17 years old with 153k miles and I only paid $3700 for it. I know the general rule is 65%-80% of the ACV before the company will total it but I was wondering if mine possibly will be because of the age and miles. KBB value is around $3700 but Edmunds is only $3200.
Need to get an idea if my car will be totaled or not
- Thread starter ned132435
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- #3
A local body shop, I thought it seemed low, too. The paint is only going to be on the lower 1/3 of both doors because it's two-tone but the low cost has actually been bothering me a little. The wheel itself is $339, the bumper w/ trim is $211, the moldings are $50 or something, then the tie rod is $100, then more to align it after the tie rod is put in which brings the total to $700 for those things, leaving $769 (quote was $1469) to remove the old paint and lay down fresh paint. I don't want a half ass job done, which is what I'm worried about. Quality paint w/ quality work should be more than $769.
Would you recommend getting an estimate from some other places?
- 11,997
It doesn't take a lot to total an old vehicle. Have you spoken with an adjuster yet?
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- #5
No, they were supposed to call me today or call me tomorrow. Just posted this to see if anyone with more experience in this field (I'm only 20) might have an idea as to what will probably happen, which I know is hard to predict.
- 11,997
- Thread starter
- #7
American made SUVs and trucks have a high salvage value because mexicans bid on them at auction and take them south, across the border. This makes them easier to total.
Was the wheel a factory wheel? If so, I'd expect them to buy a salvage yard wheel, not a new $339 wheel. I sure wouldn't buy a new OEM wheel for something that common. Even a reman wheel would be cheaper. The $100 tie rod has got to be a GM part because that's expensive for a tie rod end. Insurance should bid an aftermarket part (O'Reilly's, Autozone, Napa, Advance Auto, etc.).
Was the wheel a factory wheel? If so, I'd expect them to buy a salvage yard wheel, not a new $339 wheel. I sure wouldn't buy a new OEM wheel for something that common. Even a reman wheel would be cheaper. The $100 tie rod has got to be a GM part because that's expensive for a tie rod end. Insurance should bid an aftermarket part (O'Reilly's, Autozone, Napa, Advance Auto, etc.).
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- #9
Insurance didn't do their evaluation yet, and the estimate was using all OEM parts. To be honest, I'm kind of hoping they total the thing.
