Before & After. Not as good as it sounds....

[1425956]

Took this pic at the park 3 or 4 weeks ago.



After some kid pulled out in front of me on a busy road. I was heading north, he was trying to cross my lane to go south. Didn't work out too well for him, or me. The black pile in front of the tire is rubber from me locking them up trying not to hit him.







As soon as I saw him, I hit him. The frame is torn at the engine mounts on the driver side and is buckled for about a foot and a half directly below the door area.

I think it goes without saying, but he was at fault. Either way, I still lose. The estimate to repair was $6,700, which obviously totaled it. He had full coverage insurance and I had full coverage. But all the insurance cares about is paying for a "1984 GMC truck". Their offer is far less than I would have sold the truck for.

I sent them $4,500 in receipts, along with a professional appraisal for $6,800. That caused their offer to go from $2,800 to $3,200. And that is with me giving up the truck to them. They would pay $2200 if I want to keep it.

All I had left to do was replace a couple small pieces of metal and paint it. Engine doesn't even have 1,000 miles on it. New interior, new bedliner and new exhaust.

PLEASE LEARN FROM MY MISTAKES. IF YOUR TRUCK IS WORTH MORE TO YOU THAN IT IS BOOKED FOR, INSURE IT FOR MORE MONEY!

I had full coverage on mine, but it didn't help.

[oldtek]

aww dammit. Im stating the obvious, but that F&%k'n sucks.

Ive been in that position where a truck was almost done just to have some asswipe destroy it.

[whiskeydented]

You should go see a doctor that looks like a hard hit...

[88Jimmy4x4]

sorry to see/hear this....that was a very nice truck.

thanks for the advice on insurance coverage

[frog210]

This is the 3rd one in a few weeks
people these days need to learn how to drive I swear
sorry to hear that man

[rustyrodknocker]

Nothing like paying a private company for the right to drive on a public road.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Redcap]

Originally Posted by rustyrodknocker

Nothing like paying a private company for the right to drive on a public road.
Posted via Mobile Device

Peeves me off too.

[79 silverado]

Fight them... its established that it was their guys fault... clearly the truck is not drivable entitling you to rental coverage, drop the truck at a shop, afterall you have the appraisal that counteracts their "book value". Costs add up for them real quick as I learned last december.

My clk was hit by a dumb girl who merged into the side of it knocking the quarter panel and tearing the bumper. They first claimed they wanted to pay $1800 to repair it with filler, etc. I left it with a shop of my choice, took a rental which their insured was liable for at $30+ per day, and some time later they owed a $1600 rental bill, plus the $5500 they finally cut a check for in damages. It took me through most of January to get to that point, but, it paid off in the end.

[54Caddy]

Keep fighting man the same type of deal happened with my dads 68. He got them to pay a good amount and still kept his truck.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Don't settle. Be the thorn in their ass and make everybody else pay haha 3200 could fix that thing
Posted via Mobile Device

[motornut]

I've had three hit while parked,two written off........don't give in to first offers
keep all reciepts for little expenses even
start finding adds in the paper,on the net etc for comparable trucks
keep track of them,thats your argument for value

[THE "10" SILVERADO]

I'm gonna have to watch myself, third nice square in like 2 weeks to wreck.

[Rich84]

You do need to leave your vehicle somewhere where it is racking up storage fees...Along with the rental car fees, it will give them more urgency to settle. And never take the first offer.

Good Luck.

[mopar346]

About a year ago my son's 89 Sierra 4WD got hit in the rear and totaled, I ended up with $5500 and the truck. Got .50 on the dollar for all my receipts and a comparative market survey for equalivalent truck value. I also got $20 a day rental for the use of one of my other vehicles. I'm in Florida and we have good consumer laws but as mentioned don't take their first or even third offer, go to the top, talk to the higher position they will let you to argue your point.

[rs74]

I had a friend that wrecked his 88 Monte Carlo into a dump truck. The repair was over $5500 which is more than the car was worth and they fixed it. I would get in their a$$ as it wasn't your fault and what would it cost you to replace your truck if you were to look for a (new to you) truck.

Also I didn't think that if you owned the truck with no money against it that they could take it. That doesn't sound right to me but I could be wrong. Now if it had a lean against it then I could see that.

[blue10]

First off I'm glad your ok.
Now Do not settle for less than what is fair. The insurance company's are "buying" these totaled cars and sending them over seas where they can sell them for a profit. It's a total racket.
In this case I'm sorry to say your truck is a total, but insurance adjusters go into body shops with the intent to total, and or not pay for as much as possible.
Don't let them push you around.
Posted via Mobile Device

[1425956]

Thanks for the advice and kind words. It really is a bad deal and I am going to fight them.

I think this will do until I find another frame and rebuild it....


I love my old 84 GMC, but this one sure is a lot more comfortable and quiet.

Now I'm off to add "R.I.P." to my truck in the signature line....

[DBLSPRT68]

Glad your OK. I say FIGHT, FIGHT; FIGHT! You should've gotten your neck checked out.... Fight to get $$$ and buy back your truck. Buy another one, and swap your good stuff over

[C-10 simplex]

If you can find a rust free shortbed, then it might be worth it for $2200 because parts can be transferred over to the "new" truck. But then that doesn't take into consideration time.

[Firebirdjones]

I've been through those insurance issues several times before. I only drive classics so values and correct insurance are almost a way of life for me.

If you had appraisals and receipts, of course you realize now to document that stuff with the insurance company "before" an accident happens. You could take them to court for a larger settlement (My father has done that twice before) and most times will judge in your favor, but it's long and drawn out, missed work etc....

I keep appraisals and current pics of every vehicle, and insure them as such. You pay a little more for better coverage, but this day and age with so many idiot drivers, you just can't take the chance anymore. I prefer to deal with insurance companies that have a better understanding of classic vehicles and what it takes to build one. Sometimes, even claimed values on a car or truck through your standard run of the mill insurance companies (state farm, farmers etc..) still isn't enough, I find they just don't care as much. I had to make a claim for a totaled vehicle about 5-6 years ago and it worked out okay,,I would say "fair". But like everyone else, insurance companies now struggle in this economy so I'm sure things might be worse to deal with now.

Sorry to hear it though bud. Those book values on just about any vehicle doesn't mean squat to someone like you or me, because we know you simply can't replace the vehicle with another in like condition for what the insurance companies want to pay. Especially if you want a rust free example and you live East of the Mississippi. Might have to travel to find something decent.