bent frame on car

[Tiggeroo]

I have a car that was recently in an accident. The estimator came out and said it's going to be totaled due to frame damage and the cost of straightening a frame. OK, fine. He asks me what i think the car is worth. I"ve been doing research and say 52-5600. He says if I insist on that price they'll insist on fixing it. I don't want my older car back after the frame has been bent. I'd rather have it totaled. When I call auto body shops about estimates they don't really want to do it because they ask how much damage, assume it will be totaled and they'll go to all that trouble for nothing.
Does anybody have an idea what it costs to have a frame repaired, approx. The thought from the estimator is if I accept a 4000. value it will be totaled. I asked him to give me the name of what pricer they use to value my vehicle and he did with the web site. I went there and got a value of 5200. Any tips?

 

[bookgirl]

I have a car that was recently in an accident. The estimator came out and said it's going to be totaled due to frame damage and the cost of straightening a frame. OK, fine. He asks me what i think the car is worth. I"ve been doing research and say 52-5600. He says if I insist on that price they'll insist on fixing it. I don't want my older car back after the frame has been bent. I'd rather have it totaled. When I call auto body shops about estimates they don't really want to do it because they ask how much damage, assume it will be totaled and they'll go to all that trouble for nothing.
Does anybody have an idea what it costs to have a frame repaired, approx. The thought from the estimator is if I accept a 4000. value it will be totaled. I asked him to give me the name of what pricer they use to value my vehicle and he did with the web site. I went there and got a value of 5200. Any tips?

Is this your ins company or another drivers? If they are going to total the car they have to give you the blue book value, it sounds like they are trying to get out of paying you for it. I would tell them they have to give you in writing any offer and that you will have a lawyer look over it before you agree to accept it. They may change thier toon and give you the 5200 outright.

 

[Tiggeroo]

another insurance company. I was rear-ended by a commercial pharmaceutical vehicle.

 

[TennVolTony]

A reputable repair company will NOT "fix" a bent frame....It's dangerous to operate a vehicle in that condition.

 

[golfgal]

I would look your car up on the Kelly Blue Book site and on Edmunds, see what they say the value of your car is. If it is closer to your estimate, call YOUR insurance agent and get them involved to help you. If it is closer to the other insurance companies price, there isn't anything you can really do to get more.

 

[Tiggeroo]

I used Kelly, Edmunds and Nada to obtain my vehicle value. I'd go with the average of all three. I haven't contacted my insurance company yet but that will be the next step.

 

[Tiggeroo]

Hey, Tony. It's good to see you on. How are you doing? I was thinking of you the other day when I heard how well the Lady Vol's did this year.
So I can refuse to let them fix the frame and insist on a fairer value of the vehicle due to the fact that they have to total it if it has frame damage? I didn't make the call on bent frame, they did.

 

[1Prince2Princesses]

I would most definitely give your own insurance company a call. What they are trying to do is just not right. Your insurance company should be able to help you out.

Good luck to you!