Advice on frame damage

You'll probably be better off if you keep the repair check and trade it in as is.

Here's what a lot of folks who are not in insurance don't understand. It's not about the nature of the damage, it's about the acv of the vehicle versus the repair cost. Trucks hold their value very well. Your truck is probably worth 10k plus yet, maybe even more. Go on nada and check the retail value.


From what you described the frame damage sounds minor and is probably $1k or less to straighten. Frames can be straightened or replaced. It's very common. I bet your damages are no where near enough to total it. Just my .02. Good luck

I would be concerned about the dealer, they apparently didn't examine the vehicle properly when they gave the estimate.

What else did/will they miss? JMO.

Only when the cost of repair approaches the actual cash value of the vehicle will it be considered a total loss. The type of damage is not the issue. Diminished value is not allowed in all states.

gbopp wrote:
I would be concerned about the dealer, they apparently didn't examine the vehicle properly when they gave the estimate.

What else did/will they miss? JMO.

It is very common with body work to have a review and second estimate after they start taking apart things and can get in to see normally hidden areas.

Probably the bolt holes are misaligned for the hitch receiver to mount.

As far as diminished value, anything claimed on insurance will show as diminished value.

My mirror was broken off and due to the cost to replace I went through insurance. Now I have diminished value because of the Carfax report.

Sue the guy that hit you to recoup the diminished value.

blackgrizz550 wrote:
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How can a 2007 with 209,000 miles not be totaled due to a bent frame? I have 0 interest in towing my TT with a straightened frame. We are going to sell the truck after its repaired. It will have a diminished value of anyone runs a carfax on it.

Will I be pissing into the wind by calling State Farm and questioning how it is not totaled?

Sure! You can question the insurance company! For some reason a lot of people think that whatever the insurance company says is set in stone. Talk with your agent (or whoever) and ask about totaling the vehicle. Double check with the body shop if they are planning on using aftermarket parts (if needed) - sometimes on older vehicles the repair is estimated by using less expensive parts. You can request factory supplied parts, which is usually more expensive.

Years ago I was T-boned while in my F150 (I was fine), and the extensive repairs were estimated using aftermarket parts. When I questioned that, the agent said that otherwise they would "total" the vehicle due to cost of using factory supplied parts. I went with the total amount, and used that money to buy another vehicle - pretty much what you are thinking about.

No need to be aggressive, but nothing wrong with asking.

Those frames can be repaired/straightened fairly easily if they aren't too bad. Unless the frame is folded down or bent very bad it can be straightened and be safe! To total a vehicle damage has to exceed 70% of the value, sometimes more.

If the vehicle is repaired properly there will be no diminished value. If it wasn`t repaired correctly or not at all then there will be diminished value. Carfax is used incorrectly by most people. Just because Carfax shows an accident they think its worth nothing or next to nothing.

Have it repaired and it will be just fine as long as it isn't beyond reapir.

If it were me, I'd be looking for a good shop that does frame straightening as their main business. I'm lucky since there's a shop near me that does that, it was childs play to straighten out a camber problem on my previous TT.

mbopp wrote:
If it were me, I'd be looking for a good shop that does frame straightening as their main business. I'm lucky since there's a shop near me that does that, it was childs play to straighten out a camber problem on my previous TT.

X2. Don't sign off on anything until it goes to a good frame shop. Fix it and then use it.