QuestionRichard, you seem to be very objective and experienced about damage and insurance claims and I would value your opinion on this issue:
I was recently rear-ended in my 1999 Silverado short-box step-side Z71 pickup. The car that hit me was an Outback and her front bumper hit my receiver at a slight, right angle. The result was; the receiver and bumper were bent down at about 20 degrees bending both frame rails just behind the leaf spring mounts. In doing so, it also twisted my bed box, bent it down at about the same area as the bent rails, cracked the floor on the outside area about 1 foot in on the left side and in two places on the right, one about a foot, another at about 2 foot. The bed sides are both bent down and kinked and the left front tie point of my left side panel to the front panel is pulled back. The bed mounts are also bent since when looking at the side the bed line with the cab is a very noticeable open gap at the top.
Now the question, I have Allstate and the person who hit me has Allstate. I went to a DRP shop, who were very helpful with everything, but had guidelines to follow per Allstate. I did not agree with many things on the ordinal estimate, but based on this estimate and their 'value' estimate on the truck, it was totaled (especially due to the bent frame). So the estimate no longer mattered, it had become a negotiation between myself and the 'total' adjuster over truck value and salvage value.
But, when the 'total' adjuster got there everything changed. First, he put the value of this 8 year old truck with 123,000 miles at $11,000 (Try finding this value in NADA, Kelly, or any of the others unless you use 'high' retail value numbers for an 'outstanding' vehicle. I have a nice truck, but... This immediately voided the total discussion. Then, he did two things I need some help with.
1) He went into his web site and found a 'salvage' frame for $1500 less than a new one and adjusted the estimate accordingly.
2) He changed the 'replace' on the bent bed floor and sides to 'repair'.
On the first, I can find no one who would recommend tearing a truck apart and installing a salvage frame. When you use aftermarket body panels, etc. at least you have the oversight of COPA to give a general assurance of fit and form. But, there is no regulation whatsoever associated with the use of used or salvage parts. I know that there are some that would not matter. But a frame? I have been told by several other shops that they would not replace a frame on an older truck and prefer not to on even newer ones because they keep coming back (rattles, sensor issues, etc.), and even then would not consider anything but a new frame. GM and Ford both have letters of recommendation on the Internet saying they do not support used parts at all due to the lack of regulation. With respect to the frame, you have no way of knowing how that previous truck was driven, especially a 4-wheel drive. Two of them both said that if you could afford to do it and keep the total cost under a new one, you could bead or sand blast it and magna-flux all of the welds and seams, but Allstate has explicitly said they would not even replace the existing brake-lines etc. that would be with the frame.
On the second, why would I want bondo in the bed of a truck? The bed is twisted and the steel is stretched and warped. First time I put something hard and sharp in the back that hits these areas I am going to have a white chip, or worse, a chuck of bondo and paint knocked out.
I could almost live with the bed situation and but a plastic liner in my truck, but I simply cannot resolve the used frame issue. I was even told that if I take the truck to a shop of my choice, as I have the contractual right to do, it would sit until a used frame became available and the estimate would not be adjusted.
My agent is 'not part of that process' and is no help. I don't feel an entitlement to the extra money, I just believe that whatever I decide to do with my truck is irrelevant to the settlement by Allstate, and I cannot reconcile the salvage frame.
ps. My son spent 2 1/2 years at Wyo-Tech and has spend the last 10 years restoring classic cars, is now building drag cars, and we are building a '51 Mercury Rat-rod in our shop, so I have an in-house expert as well and he is adamant about the refusal to accept a salvage frame.
Sorry for the long-winded question, but what can I do?
Thank you for your time.
AnswerHi Don,
In most states an insurance company is allowed to recommend the use of used parts for the repair of an older vehicle. The problem in using a used frame is that the donor vehicle was also involved in a serious collision that rendered it a total loss. Therefore it is likely the frame could have damage even though it may be slight.
It is unlikely though, that you can force the insurance company to utilize a new frame. You should however insist that the frame come from a vehicle of the same year or newer vehicle and that you are provided proof of same. You should also insist that the frame be subject to a laser frame measurement to insure that it is not damaged.
As for the bed repairs, any bondo that is used should only be for the purpose of smoothing out the surface after proper repairs for refinishing the vehicle. They should not be simply filling a dent with bondo. You should select a body shop the you feel comfortable will do a quality job.
Unfortunately, due to the age of the vehicle, you do not have much to stand on. You may also tell the insurance company that you intend to pursue a claim for diminished value if they insist on repairing the vehicle. To learn more about diminished value, visit www.collisionclaims.com.
I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh
