Jmonroe
Well-Known Member
Firstly, each state has it's own laws as to when a title would need to be branded and how after an accident. Figures given by anyone outside your home state are worthless.
Insurance companies always have the option of total or repair, you'll find that spelled out in your policy. If the policyholder had the option you'd have people insisting their car be totalled for a door ding. To the insurance company its simple math. If they total it they would have estimated the value of the damaged vehicle to a salvage buyer. If their payout to you nets less than the cost to repair after they sell the wreck they'll total it. If the cost to repair is less that's what they'll do.
The responsible party's insurance company should pay for a rental until your repaired Jeep can be returned to you. If they are uninsured you probably have uninsured motorists coverage on your policy that will pick it up if you don't have rental reimbursement on your policy or if it's not enough to pay the full cost of the rental.
States vary in their positions on diminished value although it's becoming more common. I wouldn't hesitate to buy your repaired Jeep after an inspection knowing the frame was replaced with new. That said, Carfax is a reality that didn't exist during most of my career in auto claims and I have no doubt that no matter how clean the most comprehensive post repair inspection comes up potential buyers will waive that report at you demanding a painful reduction in asking price. I'd certainly ask for a diminished value settlement. If offered it most definitely won't be equal to the repair bill, personally I'd make my goal 50% and go from there. Again this could be dependent on your home state's (or where the accident happened if different) laws or legal precedents.
Count your blessings that you're OK. Stay cooperative and cordial with the insurance adjusters, refrain from making unreasonable demands and you'll get through this.
The good news is most of the "hidden" items that can come back to bite you in the ass are up front. In the back you've got some wiring harnesses you might not be able to see until disassembly and thats about it.
Good luck
Insurance companies always have the option of total or repair, you'll find that spelled out in your policy. If the policyholder had the option you'd have people insisting their car be totalled for a door ding. To the insurance company its simple math. If they total it they would have estimated the value of the damaged vehicle to a salvage buyer. If their payout to you nets less than the cost to repair after they sell the wreck they'll total it. If the cost to repair is less that's what they'll do.
The responsible party's insurance company should pay for a rental until your repaired Jeep can be returned to you. If they are uninsured you probably have uninsured motorists coverage on your policy that will pick it up if you don't have rental reimbursement on your policy or if it's not enough to pay the full cost of the rental.
States vary in their positions on diminished value although it's becoming more common. I wouldn't hesitate to buy your repaired Jeep after an inspection knowing the frame was replaced with new. That said, Carfax is a reality that didn't exist during most of my career in auto claims and I have no doubt that no matter how clean the most comprehensive post repair inspection comes up potential buyers will waive that report at you demanding a painful reduction in asking price. I'd certainly ask for a diminished value settlement. If offered it most definitely won't be equal to the repair bill, personally I'd make my goal 50% and go from there. Again this could be dependent on your home state's (or where the accident happened if different) laws or legal precedents.
Count your blessings that you're OK. Stay cooperative and cordial with the insurance adjusters, refrain from making unreasonable demands and you'll get through this.
The good news is most of the "hidden" items that can come back to bite you in the ass are up front. In the back you've got some wiring harnesses you might not be able to see until disassembly and thats about it.
Good luck
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