My truck took a hit

[tjvending]

Bad news this past weekend, my truck took a hit. Now I NEED TO DEAL WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY ON THIS. Any thoughts on doing this? Also, looks like I need a 8ft bed. It was a hit and run but I found the car and called police. The person was issued 5 tickets and admitted to the accident.

[BHBurban]

Damn that's a shame! What type of covearge did you have?

['70_402]

yes what coverage?

[406 Q-ship]

Forget what kind of coverage that you have, get the name of HIS insurance company and milk them till they cry!

[BHBurban]

Problem is, more than likely, it will be a fight. His (the other guy) insurance company views his truck as a rutsed out '72 truck with rakes and shovels in the bed thats worth nothing, an shouldn't be on the road (in thier eyes) and will more than likely fight every step of the way to repair it properly.
Make sure to get your frame and transmission checked out. Make sure the truck still goes down the road straight.

Hope it works out for you though!

[DANTIP]

More importantly, does the person that hit you have insurance?? Also, you may have uninsured motorist insurance that would pay for the repairs if the other person was uninsured.

Good Luck!

[tjvending]

He has Progressive, I have Allstate with only min. covrage. I have his insurance information, I'm worry about the amount they will cover.

[DANTIP]

I'll bet there is little fight. Hopefully, you have pics of your truck before the crash. I had a '72 SWB truck that was t-boned when someone ran a stop sign. There was no discussion of value of the truck, their insurance paid $6500 to fix the damage. If I were in your position, I would source the parts needed for the repair and give a body shop the costs of the parts (including any shipping, etc.) and have them include those parts costs on their estimate. They may be somewhat entitled to a mark-up on the parts as well. If you can find good used parts, I would insist on them being used. Believe me, your truck will be much less expensive to repair than most vehicles they could have crashed into.

[Clyde65]

Find at least 3 trucks as good or better than you truck that are as local as you can find, if you have receipts for stuff on your truck that is very good. Have the 3 examples for the other insurance company when they come and look at it, make alot of notes and do not settle on the first offer. If you buy your truck back (if totaled) you realize it will have a salvage title, right?

[DANTIP]

That reminds me. I would detail the sh***t out of the truck before anyone looks at it. May sound silly to detail a wrecked truck, but I promise it is time well spent!!

[spike38]

Progressive, Isn't too bad. Get your own estimate, Before they give you there's.
The major companies realize that these are collectors items. And that we as
restorers, Will probably make the repairs ourselves. As long as the frame isn't
twisted.

I had a 72 bug, I was restoring. Had everything but the paint done. Got
rearended by a lady. The adjuster, Is the one who told me about there
policies on older vehicles.

I second this " That reminds me. I would detail the sh***t out of the truck before anyone looks at it. May sound silly to detail a wrecked truck, but I promise it is time well spent!!"

Spike

[70cst]

a) Don't be afraid to be firm on your trucks value. They might try to low ball you.
b) Also I believe...you can select where you want to get your truck repaired.
c) Agreed-get quotes on all the stuff that you will need to buy. If you let the body shop buy the parts they may get inferior parts so be involved as to where they get their repair parts.
d) Take plenty of pics of your damage.
e) Get pictures of trucks comparable to your's to establish its value.

I am sure I have forgotten some things...
Good Luck

[dan76]

Just thinking....now may be the time to make it a SWB.

[71gmcburb]

if you have a location whare the truck can be inside and behind a locked door put it there so the adjuster has to contact you before they look at the truck since alot of them don't even talk to the owner while they inspect the truckor after for thet matter when they have free access.

I agree do a compleate detail to the point of anal retentive before they inspect it to maximize the value

[Posi12Bolt]

Originally Posted by 70cst

a) Don't be afraid to be firm on your trucks value. They might try to low ball you.
b) ...you can select where you want to get your truck repaired.
c) Agreed-get quotes on all the stuff that you will need to buy. If you let the body shop buy the parts they may get inferior parts so be involved as to where they get their repair parts.
d) Take plenty of pics of your damage.
e) Get pictures of trucks comparable to your's to establish its value.

I was going to write this same thing... but its already written.

word for word...do this!

[PanelDeland]

Might even be worthwhile to get a classic car apraiser to give you a quote on the pre-accident value also.

[67chevy1series]

why detail it????

[scrapmetalart]

Originally Posted by 67chevy1series

why detail it????

So they cant say ts a dirty rusted POS. Make it look as nice as possible

[oldblue1968chevy]

I went thru this too about a year ago.

Get some pictures of it (beforeduringafter), with all your receipts etc in a bag to hand adjuster. Dont settle for the 1st number they throw.

I was offered the full amount I had in receipts+what I paid for truck. Took awhile though. Dont start tearing it apart till they come look pay you. I was T boned and only thing that was damaged was carrier bearing/bedside.

I was treated good and the adj. said it was a 20ft truck

[tjvending]

is the receipts to show the full value of the truck? Most of my receipts are for the front end parts , interior and motor, not for the bed, although i did have a new tailgate.

[hugger6933]

It is true you can get whatever shop you want to repair the truck but they may not pay the amount that shop request to repair. The insurance co. will write their own estimate and will stick to that. Now , if you have an estimate that is quite different than theirs they will look and probably"adjust" the figures. That is where the term adjuster comes from. My advice is pretty simple measure the wheelbase on both sides and do a finger check between the cab and bed. That means stick fingers in the gap on both side to see if they are close to the same. top and bottom gap differences however mean the frame may be"down" in the center. From the looks of the pics I would say your most likely good on the frame cause it don't look hit that hard. I think that it should still run down the road nice and stright. Sorry for your problems hate that nice truck got creamed glad you were'nt hurt and for the most part insurance adjusters are fair and want you to be satisfied. Now I am NOT a n adjuster or work for a insurance co. but, I do have a body shop and used to do insurance work. I have turn most insurance work down for about 20 years just so I could build wrecks and restore older cars and trucks. Jim

[71swb4x4]

That's a nasty hit. What does the other car look like?

[cheyenne shortstep]

Sorry to hear about the hit. Do not let either ins. co push you around, it is your vehicle and you have rights. Your vehicle should be repaired to "pre accident condition". We just fixed a vehicle that the ins co wanted to total but the owner wanted to save, after talking to the adjuster we were able to make everybody happy and the owner paid a little extra to fix some rust. You also have the right to have your vehicle repaired at the facility of your choice [we are not even a body shop, but the guy is a long time customer]. I second the detail and secured vehicle so the adjuster has to see you to gain access to the vehicle, if the vehicle is parked on the street or parking lot the adj. can do his thing without ever talking to you. If you have a regular shop you take the truck to or a friend with an automotive shop of any kind I would recommend TOWING it there and let the adj. look at it there.

[Jeffs70]

sorry to hear about the hit, hope all gets settled where you are happy. and yes I agree with cheyenne shortstep If you are able to put the truck in your garage or in a shop some place. do not let an adjuster look at it with out you being there. and everyone has given some great advise for sure. I would also Detail it too.

[weircc]

you need a quick appraisal at say 20,000 or so dont let them get you thats what we pay this over rated crap for