Totaled Mav? Hopefully not

[17riemc]

Thanks for jumping in here! I’m an attorney, so I’m definitely not casting any stones. We all have jobs to do — including folks that put a number on insurance claims!

Having said that, I’d love to pick your brain for a second. You hit on some points that laypersons don’t necessarily understand (and I didn’t, until this morning): (1) totaling a vehicle is a multi factor decision, and (2) a few of those factors are currently weighing against the new Mavs.

I’ve popped by three body shops to start the process (along with working with our insurance co), and got a first unnoticeable quote of 5-6k, the next one “above 3”, and another that felt it was fixable, but didn’t want to talk numbers until I provided the insurance quote.

I do live in California, where apparently we use a total loss formula — would you say that helps or hurts our likelihood of avoiding a total loss?

And further, as the vehicle drives fine (no loose parts, no frame issues I can feel or that were noticed by the above shops, etc), do you think the “waiting for parts” factor might be less salient here, given the fact that I don’t need a rental?

Lastly, anything else you’d recommend I do at this stage? As I mentioned, I’ve started my claim and asked a few body shops to weigh in on the current state of the damage. For whatever it’s worse, none of them thought it was in total loss territory at all, but as an lawyer I’m trained to look into this stuff!

And seriously, thanks *so* much for chiming in! Been a tough couple days. We worked really hard for this truck and I’ve got a couple young boys that already love it (and helping their dad do work with it!)

As far as California's total loss formula goes, I have no clue how that works. I'm assuming it has to be comparable to other states as the majority of states use a percentage threshold. Or atleast a "somewhere in that ballpark" figure.

With your Maverick driving fine, that should definitely save you/your insurance on rental costs until the truck goes into the shop. I would highly recommend staying in your truck as long as possible while you wait on parts to avoid costly rentals. When you do get into a rental, the cheaper one will likely help you best. Plus, when it comes time to renew, if you have low costs/expenses on a claim, it will help mitigate any rate increases.

Based on the photos you put on here, my guess is you're looking somewhere in the $2500-$7k range (I know, big range), depending on location, shop, and the likelihood of hidden damage leading to supplements. Regardless, I would generally say you aren't looking at anything that is a total loss here.

Is your insurance company relying on the estimates you find, or are they sending an adjuster out to look at it?

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[Bushpilot]

That stinks. Very unlikely to be totalled.

That said, if it were mine and it were totalled, I would be all about buying it back.

I'd pocket the money and fix it as much or as little as I wanted, and would be driving it forever.

That may be difficult to do in some states, however, ymmv.

 

[CrouchingDallas]

As far as California's total loss formula goes, I have no clue how that works. I'm assuming it has to be comparable to other states as the majority of states use a percentage threshold. Or atleast a "somewhere in that ballpark" figure.

With your Maverick driving fine, that should definitely save you/your insurance on rental costs until the truck goes into the shop. I would highly recommend staying in your truck as long as possible while you wait on parts to avoid costly rentals. When you do get into a rental, the cheaper one will likely help you best. Plus, when it comes time to renew, if you have low costs/expenses on a claim, it will help mitigate any rate increases.

Based on the photos you put on here, my guess is you're looking somewhere in the $2500-$7k range (I know, big range), depending on location, shop, and the likelihood of hidden damage leading to supplements. Regardless, I would generally say you aren't looking at anything that is a total loss here.

Is your insurance company relying on the estimates you find, or are they sending an adjuster out to look at it?

Man, this is all so helpful — thank you! Just remarked to the fam that, for as much as people suck in situations like this, there’s nice folks helping total strangers out. I really appreciate it.

Super relieved to hear that we’re likely not in total loss territory, and those rough estimates definitely make sense given whom I’ve spoken to.

My understanding is that the insurance company will be sending an adjuster out to look at the car, and we’ll then take that quote to the body shops. My stopping by a few shops was mostly about (1) ensuring safe driving for me and my kids
(2) gauging damage and expectations going forward, and (3) building a relationship with a shop so that we can get this truck fixed. Made a great contact who promised to order parts as soon as we get the part, so that helps.

 

[17riemc]

Man, this is all so helpful — thank you! Just remarked to the fam that, for as much as people suck in situations like this, there’s nice folks helping total strangers out. I really appreciate it.

Super relieved to hear that we’re likely not in total loss territory, and those rough estimates definitely make sense given whom I’ve spoken to.

My understanding is that the insurance company will be sending an adjuster out to look at the car, and we’ll then take that quote to the body shops. My stopping by a few shops was mostly about (1) ensuring safe driving for me and my kids
(2) gauging damage and expectations going forward, and (3) building a relationship with a shop so that we can get this truck fixed. Made a great contact who promised to order parts as soon as we get the part, so that helps.

It definitely helps to have a body shop in your corner wanting to help you out. I would guess that the adjuster's pricing will likely be lower than what the shop's estimate is for, but your shop can always either agree to the lower pricing, or write a supplement asking for their higher prices.

Either way, as long as your shop doesn't magically find $12k of hidden damage when they start working on your truck, you should be fine.

Fast forward 2-3 months and your Maverick will be back on the road, and you'll go back to that same parking lot and remember about the time somebody backed into your new truck that you waited so long for, and you'll laugh all about it.

Best of luck with you insurance claim and Happy Mavericking.

 

[TCPTX65]

Hi all — learned yesterday that someone had backed into our beloved ‘23 Maverick XL Hybrid in a hit and run. No notes or witnesses. It sucks.

I’ve attached photos of the damage, which includes a dented bed panel, the slightly detached bumper, and crucially, a bent bracket on the interior of the bumper.

I’m particularly worried about the crushed bracket, although I know the panel and perhaps the bumper may have to be replaced.

Concerning the bracket, It appears to be a distinct member that was welded onto the frame — can anyone comment on that?

My main concern is avoiding frame damage and a total loss (as determined by insurance — it drives totally fine) , as we love the hell out this truck and can’t wait to see our young boys grow up with it (and helping me move stuff in it!). I did purchase at MSRP (out the door at 26,400, all included) so that helps, but still. Gutted.

Just a thought, were there any cameras in the parking lot or even adjacent parking lots? You may not be able to get tag numbers, but you can get a good description of the vehicle and what damage that vehicle has. Again, just a thought

 

[ZLoY]

I had less damage and after months of waiting for the parts repair cost 26k, so my car was totaled.
I decided to keep it. FIx it (around 2k-4k for pulling) and make a rebuilt title.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Thanks for jumping in here! I’m an attorney, so I’m definitely not casting any stones. We all have jobs to do — including folks that put a number on insurance claims!

Having said that, I’d love to pick your brain for a second. You hit on some points that laypersons don’t necessarily understand (and I didn’t, until this morning): (1) totaling a vehicle is a multi factor decision, and (2) a few of those factors are currently weighing against the new Mavs.

I’ve popped by three body shops to start the process (along with working with our insurance co), and got a first unnoticeable quote of 5-6k, the next one “above 3”, and another that felt it was fixable, but didn’t want to talk numbers until I provided the insurance quote.

I do live in California, where apparently we use a total loss formula — would you say that helps or hurts our likelihood of avoiding a total loss?

And further, as the vehicle drives fine (no loose parts, no frame issues I can feel or that were noticed by the above shops, etc), do you think the “waiting for parts” factor might be less salient here, given the fact that I don’t need a rental?

Lastly, anything else you’d recommend I do at this stage? As I mentioned, I’ve started my claim and asked a few body shops to weigh in on the current state of the damage. For whatever it’s worse, none of them thought it was in total loss territory at all, but as an lawyer I’m trained to look into this stuff!

And seriously, thanks *so* much for chiming in! Been a tough couple days. We worked really hard for this truck and I’ve got a couple young boys that already love it (and helping their dad do work with it!)

In Texas. My son had a VW that got about 14k damage estimate total point was $17-18k. After repair that ran about $400 over estimate and it was fired up the check engine light was on and after several days it was determined that new wire harness was next step and estimate for that was something like $5600. So since that threw repairs over the "total it" amount the insurance paid my son for the car after spending almost $15k to body shop. Also the insurance company has to in essence escrow the claim estimate and loses the ability to invest the money which over time reduces their capital and ROI (THE MAIN REASON THEY WANT TO SETTLE ALL CLAIMS ASAP!).

 

[MakinDoForNow]

As far as California's total loss formula goes, I have no clue how that works. I'm assuming it has to be comparable to other states as the majority of states use a percentage threshold. Or atleast a "somewhere in that ballpark" figure.

With your Maverick driving fine, that should definitely save you/your insurance on rental costs until the truck goes into the shop. I would highly recommend staying in your truck as long as possible while you wait on parts to avoid costly rentals. When you do get into a rental, the cheaper one will likely help you best. Plus, when it comes time to renew, if you have low costs/expenses on a claim, it will help mitigate any rate increases.

Based on the photos you put on here, my guess is you're looking somewhere in the $2500-$7k range (I know, big range), depending on location, shop, and the likelihood of hidden damage leading to supplements. Regardless, I would generally say you aren't looking at anything that is a total loss here.

Is your insurance company relying on the estimates you find, or are they sending an adjuster out to look at it?

My rental car reimbursement rider is $1,250 or 30 days whichever occurs first. For a few $ more I could increase it to $1,500 or 30 days. Of course the other parties if they are at fault may be liable for and pay for more!

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