Auto Insurance Claims: Walmart Auto Dept Damage, frame machine, frame show

Question
I went to get my tires balanced at Walmart...they bent the frame on my truck!
It's a std cab K1500 Chevy and the marks on the frame show that they tried to lift it in the middle of the truck, where the cab and box meet and as they lifted the truck they proceded to bend the frame.
The ass't manager had me fill out paperwork, the tech took pics of the damage and said their insurance company would contact me.
This just happened today so we will see what tomorrow brings.
Any advice on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

 Thanks

Answer
Hi Woody,

You should take the vehicle to a body shop that can write an estimate of the cost of repairing the damage to the frame. It would be best if thay have a laser frame easuring machine which will provide a print out of the fact that the frame is off. You should ask the shop how long it will take to complete the work. Then when you speak to someone from Walmarts insurance company, you can provide them with what it will cost the repair the damage and how many days of rental vehicle you will need. If the damage is more than just cosmetic, meaning it will require several hours of repair time or will need to be pulled on a frame machine, you may also be entitled to payment for the diminished value of the vehicle which could be 10% to 20% of the value of the vehicle depending on the extent of the damage.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh