Jeep front end collision

[GATORB8]

So if they decide to total it, I can try to refute that and provide dealer listed jeeps to show market value is actually higher than private retail???

I guess I’m not fully understanding, this is the first time I’ve ever been in an accident where I’m not at fault

Although I've been lucky to not have to do it personally on a vehicle, I do it all the time in commercial construction for liability claims. I know several people who have been successful in raising total payouts on private auto.

Progressive made 8.5 Billion last year, they can afford to make you whole. Remember this offer is literally being made so you don't sue their client.

 

[Christian.mers]

Interesting, I’ll keep you all updated as I know

 

[jeepguy03]

I've never been through it personally but read about it online, it is a negotiation not a flat value unless you're on some kind of agreed upon value policy. Many cases of getting more money than initial offer, whether DIY or by hiring an appraiser

This.

Most insurance companies don't go by KBB anymore (KBB is honestly worthless and has been since like 1997). They go by what similar vehicles are selling for in your area (known as replacement vehicle value). If you can come up with a list of similar Jeep for sale listings, that will help negotiate the value. Like you said the add-ons likely won't count unless factored into your policy beforehand.

Once the value of it is determined, you can proceed with buying it back, which will mean they will likely deduct the salvage value from the amount they give you back for the Jeep. So you'll get the Jeep back plus a certain amount of money that they determine, which will be negotiated value for a totaled vehicle minus what the salvage value is. I understand it was your father's Jeep and you would want it back and fix it. It does look fixable, I mean anything is fixable with time and money but it looks doable. I do think that is totaled though, just from the damage and from the age of the Jeep. Usually anything that costs 60% of the value of the vehicle to fix is a total loss. I was an insurance adjuster for a bit after college. Any hit that pushes a vehicle 20-30 feet is a hard hit, the person that hit it must've been flying. I'd want the frame checked.

Edited because my phone keeps hitting send before I finish typing.

 

[lBasket]

I have read before you don't want to mention you want to buy back until after the negotiations. Get the most money possible then after be like oh yeah... And I want to buy it back.

 

[jeepguy03]

I have read before you don't want to mention you want to buy back until after the negotiations. Get the most money possible then after be like oh yeah... And I want to buy it back.

Yes 100%. Wait until they come up with a number for the replacement vehicle value, or what it would cost in order for you to go out and buy the same (or similar) Jeep. After that is agreed upon, then tell them it was your father's vehicle (family/sentimental value) and would like the purchase the Jeep back.

 

[GATORB8]

This.

Most insurance companies don't go by KBB anymore (KBB is honestly worthless and has been since like 1997). They go by what similar vehicles are selling for in your area (known as replacement vehicle value). If you can come up with a list of similar Jeep for sale listings, that will help negotiate the value. Like you said the add-ons likely won't count unless factored into your policy beforehand.

Once the value of it is determined, you can proceed with buying it back, which will mean they will likely deduct the salvage value from the amount they give you back for the Jeep. So you'll get the Jeep back plus a certain amount of money that they determine, which will be negotiated value for a totaled vehicle minus what the salvage value is. I understand it was your father's Jeep and you would want it back and fix it. It does look fixable, I mean anything is fixable with time and money but it looks doable. I do think that is totaled though, just from the damage and from the age of the Jeep. Usually anything that costs 60% of the value of the vehicle to fix is a total loss. I was an insurance adjuster for a bit after college. Any hit that pushes a vehicle 20-30 feet is a hard hit, the person that hit it must've been flying. I'd want the frame checked.

Edited because my phone keeps hitting send before I finish typing.

Curious, if the negotiated value flips the repair back under the ~60% would they fix it for him?

 

[D's Jeep Wrld]

Is the tcase ok?
I've seen Jeeps wrecked like this where the tcase is cracked at best or completely destroyed

 

[jeepguy03]

Curious, if the negotiated value flips the repair back under the ~60% would they fix it for him?

No. Usually how it works is they first estimate the cost to repair (say it is $4000 for round numbers). Next they determine what the vehicle is worth (the replacement cost) and figure from that if it is too much of the replacement cost (say $6000) to repair the vehicle. Some insurance companies have different percentages of repair cost to vehicle value before they deem it a total loss. It can depend on so many factors. With older cars it can be tough for them to get parts, with newer cars you have the additional cost of programming replacement modules for all the safety systems, etc.

For older cars I will say it is much easier for them to total them, because bodyshop labor is so expensive. They are going off the price of taking it to one of their certified repair shops. This is why for older vehicles if the damage is any more than a fender bender they will total it.

In this case, I would find the highest comparable prices of Jeep listings for sale, and show them those. That way you can get the best possible amount back (minus the salvage value) to fix it yourself, since it will likely be totaled.

 

[Christian.mers]

Curious, if the negotiated value flips the repair back under the ~60% would they fix it for him?

In WV we’ve got up to 75% of market value before it’s totaled out

 

[Christian.mers]

I think it’s stupid that I put so much work into it and I got to drive it on the trans I rebuilt for not even 1,000 miles before some kid comes around the corner going way more than 20mph (the speed limit) and even put in his report that he was on his phone and I’m still getting bent over by th insurance company

 

[jeepguy03]

In WV we’ve got up to 75% of market value before it’s totaled out

That's really good, fingers crossed they can just fix it for you on their dime and get it back to you.

I hear ya on the stupid people thing too. That kid was probably doing 50+. After working in insurance the first thing I went out and bought was a dash cam.

 

[Christian.mers]

What’s so disappointing too is that I had a dash cam in the backseat and my hardwire kit came in the same exact day that the accident happened so I couldn’t put my dash cam up. If the kit had come in one more day sooner than I would’ve had the dash cam hardwire kit on hand and installed.

 

[lBasket]

What’s so disappointing too is that I had a dash cam in the backseat and my hardwire kit came in the same exact day that the accident happened so I couldn’t put my dash cam up. If the kit had come in one more day sooner than I would’ve had the dash cam hardwire kit on hand and installed.

I really want a dashcam but it's either a difficult or expensive solution when you have 4 vehicles

 

[Steel City 06]

I really want a dashcam but it's either a difficult or expensive solution when you have 4 vehicles

There are ways to use an old cell phone as a dash cam. Basically just need a mount and a cable.

Use something like a magnetic charging mount + case and it can be hot swappable in seconds

 

[Christian.mers]

There are ways to use an old cell phone as a dash cam. Basically just need a mount and a cable.

Use something like a magnetic charging mount + case and it can be hot swappable in seconds

If this got out I could imagine people driving around with those old crappy government phones. It was a thing at least down here for a little bit where people would get them for free and then sell them. Beats me why someone would buy one when they got it for free

 

[jeepguy03]

I really want a dashcam but it's either a difficult or expensive solution when you have 4 vehicles

Yeah the one I have in my TJ was $20 from Amazon and it's quality is questionable at best. I also drive the TJ only on nice summer days though. My daily driver WK2 has a camera that was $60 from Amazon, and it works really well. Also has the G-force sensor, so if someone bumps your car in a lot it saves battery to turn on for a few seconds and record them driving away.

 

[lBasket]

Yeah the one I have in my TJ was $20 from Amazon and it's quality is questionable at best. I also drive the TJ only on nice summer days though. My daily driver WK2 has a camera that was $60 from Amazon, and it works really well. Also has the G-force sensor, so if someone bumps your car in a lot it saves battery to turn on for a few seconds and record them driving away.

I guess that's less than I was expecting whenever I look them up people are suggesting stuff that is like 2-300$

 

[TheBoogieman]

There are ways to use an old cell phone as a dash cam.

I'll have to look into that.

 

[lBasket]

I'll have to look into that.
View attachment 666573

Ok zorba

 

[jeepguy03]

I guess that's less than I was expecting whenever I look them up people are suggesting stuff that is like 2-300$

The one I have is the KingSlim D4. Just checked and it's 79.99 now, but the last one I bought was in 2021. I bought one for my sister and my dad and all have worked great so far.