So my 2017 Class C was damaged by a tree. It put 2 holes through the roof into the coach, and damaged a few other areas. The awning was damaged, coping, skylight, frig vent, minor water damage inside, some electrical issues and the air bag on the left side blew out. The insurance company told me they are totaling it. I have full replacement insurance and started looking for a new unit. They reached out to me to tell me the salvage value which is 20% of the average NADA retail value and asked if I wanted to buy it. So it got me thinking, do I by my unit back or let them take it and get a new one. The damage is repairable, but I would have to do it and it wouldn’t be 100% as the cost to do it would surpass the value. Then there is the whole salvage tile issue. Apparently in NJ you can only get liability on a rebuilt vehicle. I would have to get a salvage title, fix it, take it for inspection to get a rebuilt title. It would be nice to own it free and clear but is it worth it? Anyone ever have a similar experience?

You paid for full replacement insurance so I don’t see any reason not to just get another new unit and save the headaches (and trust me there will be complications) in rebuilding you damaged unit.

A friend had a tree fall on her Class A. They thought they could fix it (they didn't have insurance for that), but there was more damage than first seemed, like the big front window won't go in right- frame bent out of shape. whole thing got to be a handyman's worst nightmare the more they tore out the more damage was now exposed.Parting it out is peanuts for money, selling the furnace etc. Probably why they would like you to pay that 20%!!! Run away! :(I agree with above. Be glad you have the full insurance and enjoy your new rig.

If you’re a mechanic, carpenter, auto body man, tin knocker and RV tech, and plan on keeping it 20 years, sounds like it could be a good deal financially!If you’re not, it’s not.

If they total the RV, will it have a salvage title?Check with your insurance company to see what kind of coverage they will give you on a salvage title.Your project can, and probably will, turn into a major job.

Salvage class C | Good Sam Community

Pops
Explorer
Aug 25, 2020
Whether you decide to go for it or pass, (In my younger days I would probably go for it, I got the hands on attitude and skills, but lost it 10 years ago).
But don't go with the 20%, counter with 10% or less. Decide your price and walk if you don't get it (throw the deal back in their court and see what they come back with). If your comfortable, play the game. Good Luck.
RetiredRealtorR
Explorer
Aug 24, 2020
vrunner wrote:
ron.dittmer wrote:
vrunner,

Years ago when our son was in college, his car got side-swiped and totaled by the driver's insurance company. We got the money for the totaled vehicle, then paid back what they wanted to keep the car. The title never exchanged hands. It remained unchanged. I thought that wasn't right, but that's what happened. In the end, the title was clean, though I don't know what a Carfax report stated.

If it's a great deal and you are very handy and up for the challenge, I would go for it as long as the title is not salvage or rebuilt. Like others state, you will have serious insurance troubles.

That is the main concern. The title will come back to me clean, in other words it’s my responsibility to change it to a salvage title. The paperwork will come to me to make that happen and the state notified at some point the unit was totaled. I am guessing since a salvage vehicle cannot be registered, the state will eventually suspend the registration, but that is an unknown. Add to that all the **** currently going on (NJ DMV is a hot mess) the title and registration issues seem to be a bigger issue then fixing the unit.

In many states, unless you're a licensed rebuilder, you can't do what you're suggesting. Do your due diligence before agreeing to anything with the insurance company.
Chum_lee
Explorer
Aug 24, 2020
vrunner wrote:
ron.dittmer wrote:
vrunner,

Years ago when our son was in college, his car got side-swiped and totaled by the driver's insurance company. We got the money for the totaled vehicle, then paid back what they wanted to keep the car. The title never exchanged hands. It remained unchanged. I thought that wasn't right, but that's what happened. In the end, the title was clean, though I don't know what a Carfax report stated.

If it's a great deal and you are very handy and up for the challenge, I would go for it as long as the title is not salvage or rebuilt. Like others state, you will have serious insurance troubles.

That is the main concern. The title will come back to me clean, in other words it’s my responsibility to change it to a salvage title. The paperwork will come to me to make that happen and the state notified at some point the unit was totaled. I am guessing since a salvage vehicle cannot be registered, the state will eventually suspend the registration, but that is an unknown. Add to that all the **** currently going on (NJ DMV is a hot mess) the title and registration issues seem to be a bigger issue then fixing the unit.

Nobody can see the extent of damage to the vehicle but you. Nobody knows your repair skills but you, the tools available to you, your ability to shag/repair parts, the space available to you, or, your time frame. If those are all favorable, this could be a good deal, but, most likely not. Insurance companies generally know when to wash their hands and move on!

That said, in +-2002 in California, (I don't know about New Jersey) I once had a car totaled in an accident. I paid off my insurance company, kept the car, and repaired it. The car never changed owners/title and even though it was technically totaled, when I sold it several years later, (now repaired) it still had a clean title. Carfax confirmed this.

Chum lee
BFL13
Explorer II
Aug 24, 2020
What is 20% of retail on a 2017 C in dollars? What is the expected total you (or they) could get parting it out?

They will get way more money selling it back to you. Actually it would go to some junkyard where that owner would have to get more from it somehow than what he paid the insurance co for it. The junkyard would have to get it almost for free.

The insurance co wins big if they can get 20% of retail for it. Can you pay that, fix it up at some cost and sell it for more than you have in it now? Could anybody?

Run away!
vrunner
Explorer
Aug 24, 2020
ron.dittmer wrote:
vrunner,

Years ago when our son was in college, his car got side-swiped and totaled by the driver's insurance company. We got the money for the totaled vehicle, then paid back what they wanted to keep the car. The title never exchanged hands. It remained unchanged. I thought that wasn't right, but that's what happened. In the end, the title was clean, though I don't know what a Carfax report stated.

If it's a great deal and you are very handy and up for the challenge, I would go for it as long as the title is not salvage or rebuilt. Like others state, you will have serious insurance troubles.

That is the main concern. The title will come back to me clean, in other words it’s my responsibility to change it to a salvage title. The paperwork will come to me to make that happen and the state notified at some point the unit was totaled. I am guessing since a salvage vehicle cannot be registered, the state will eventually suspend the registration, but that is an unknown. Add to that all the **** currently going on (NJ DMV is a hot mess) the title and registration issues seem to be a bigger issue then fixing the unit.
ron_dittmer
Explorer II
Aug 24, 2020
vrunner,

Years ago when our son was in college, his car got side-swiped and totaled by the driver's insurance company. We got the money for the totaled vehicle, then paid back what they wanted to keep the car. The title never exchanged hands. It remained unchanged. I thought that wasn't right, but that's what happened. In the end, the title was clean, though I don't know what a Carfax report stated.

If it's a great deal and you are very handy and up for the challenge, I would go for it as long as the title is not salvage or rebuilt. Like others state, you will have serious insurance troubles.
vrunner
Explorer
Aug 24, 2020
Thanks for the advice. I am pretty handy. I already temporarily patched the roof to stop leaks while waiting for the insurance company to decide. I started thinking that while I couldn’t make it perfect I could fix most of the issues, but as has been pointed out the lack of full coverage insurance and unknown issues down the road were my concern.
pushtoy_2
Explorer
Aug 24, 2020
you paid for insurance let them eat it.. sounds like a big repair to me JMO
good luck whatever you fo
midnightsadie
Explorer II
Aug 24, 2020
life,s too short move on.
gbopp
Explorer
Aug 24, 2020
If they total the RV, will it have a salvage title?
Check with your insurance company to see what kind of coverage they will give you on a salvage title.

Your project can, and probably will, turn into a major job.

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