[tx2010jk]

Darn it folks, my wife's 3 month old JK got wrecked today. We got really lucky, because an oncoming vehicle lost control, swerved, did a 360 in the center lane and the came straight to my wife's JK. My wife avoided her, and the other car crashed into the guard rail, but bounced back, and took my wife's Jeep out on the passenger side, making her spin 180 degrees...luckily the traffic behind her did not crash into her hean on....almost did. The othercar went on to cross all five lanes aain, ending up in a ditch on her original side of the road....Luckily everyone seems OK, including our dogs who were in the car, my wife's a little sore, but nothing too major.
Unfortunately, I did not have a camera when I picked up my wife from the crash site, so I have no pics of the Jeep yet. Passenger side door, rear panel, hard top, rear wheel/tire/suspension damaged..... Obvously, I really would prefer this car totaled, but does not look like it....hate having a 3 month old repaired car with major crash historyissed:
Any pointers/ideas? What to look for that would total it? Experiences?

Thanks!

 

[CoachMitch]

Sorry about your luck. Glad to hear everyone is OK. I own a collision center here in Florida. Our state laws ar that the repair bill must exceed 80% of the value of the vehicle to be considered a total loss. It does not sound like that is the case here so you are probably repairable. Make sure you pick a shop that you trust...not one your insurance company sends you too. You have that right. Also, you can always file a diminished value claim after repairs have been completed to recoup the lost value of your vehicle due to the repairs. There are several companies out there that specialize in this including Wreck Check. Good luck.

 

[TXROCK]

Here's what my experience is. I had a 2008 JK Rubicon (look at BLUERUBI and will see in the albums the wrecked Jeep) that was totaled 10 days after I bought it. Initially the insurance company wanted to repair it, but having a Jeep with a twisted front end wasn't my idea of a "new" vehicle much less safe for my family.

I contacted the dealership and asked them to send a mechanic down to the body shop and evaluate the Jeep because I didn't feel like it would be safe after the 50mph+ impact I took from a car running a red light. Mind you that the only "VISIBLE" damage was the front end of the Jeep where it was shifted right 6 inches and a cracked frame in front of the tire.

The mechanic went to the body shop and pointed out all the buckle points from the front to the back of the Jeep to include above the rear tires (I was hit in the front) and basically the tub of the Jeep was bent from the front to the back. In order for us to open the REAR storage area door, one person had to push the handle button to open the door while someone kicked the door open from inside of the Jeep.

Although they could "micro" set the frame in the front back to "near" new condition, there was enough tub damage all the way through the Jeep that the damage went from $14,000 in repairs to $22,000 with 6 additional open repair expenses not yet assessed for fees. Needless to say, I purchased the Jeep at $29,500 and the insurance went ahead and totaled it due to exceeding 75% in damage value.

I would recommend getting someone from the dealership service department/collision center to go take a look at it. Good luck!

 

[Broncojohn]

Ouch!, glad everyone is ok.

 

[redwood66]

Glad everyone seems to be ok but you may want to see how everyone is tomorrow because you never know if they bumped their head on something. Definitely get the Jeep checked out.

 

[CoachMitch]

Here's what my experience is. I had a 2008 JK Rubicon (look at BLUERUBI and will see in the albums the wrecked Jeep) that was totaled 10 days after I bought it. Initially the insurance company wanted to repair it, but having a Jeep with a twisted front end wasn't my idea of a "new" vehicle much less safe for my family.

I contacted the dealership and asked them to send a mechanic down to the body shop and evaluate the Jeep because I didn't feel like it would be safe after the 50mph+ impact I took from a car running a red light. Mind you that the only "VISIBLE" damage was the front end of the Jeep where it was shifted right 6 inches and a cracked frame in front of the tire.

The mechanic went to the body shop and pointed out all the buckle points from the front to the back of the Jeep to include above the rear tires (I was hit in the front) and basically the tub of the Jeep was bent from the front to the back. In order for us to open the REAR storage area door, one person had to push the handle button to open the door while someone kicked the door open from inside of the Jeep.

Although they could "micro" set the frame in the front back to "near" new condition, there was enough tub damage all the way through the Jeep that the damage went from $14,000 in repairs to $22,000 with 6 additional open repair expenses not yet assessed for fees. Needless to say, I purchased the Jeep at $29,500 and the insurance went ahead and totaled it due to exceeding 75% in damage value.

I would recommend getting someone from the dealership service department/collision center to go take a look at it. Good luck!

All wrecks are different and a side impact is way different than a frame hit. A hard hit to the frame in the front will resonate throughout the unibody causing damage as you have described. However, a side hit may not have affected the frame at all. I do not agree with the idea of having a Chrysler tech come to my body shop to assess damage. Myself and my techs are perfectly capable of assessing the damage. As a matter of fact, our Chrysler dealer sends them to me for assessment. If you think you need the Chrysler dealer to come to the shop you have chosen to repair the vehicle maybe you chose the wrong shop. Im just sayin.......

 

[jdemonto]

Sorry about the accident, If they fix it make sure you go after the other insurance for loss of value as some day when you see it will be worth less.

Jason

 

[07unlimitedx]

Glad to hear everyone is ok... the jeep will look after itself. Nobody's hurt.

 

[TXROCK]

All wrecks are different and a side impact is way different than a frame hit. A hard hit to the frame in the front will resonate throughout the unibody causing damage as you have described. However, a side hit may not have affected the frame at all. I do not agree with the idea of having a Chrysler tech come to my body shop to assess damage. Myself and my techs are perfectly capable of assessing the damage. As a matter of fact, our Chrysler dealer sends them to me for assessment. If you think you need the Chrysler dealer to come to the shop you have chosen to repair the vehicle maybe you chose the wrong shop. Im just sayin.......

It's good that your shop/personnel are that competent that Chrysler trusts you all to do their work. For this shop, it wasn't the shop I chose...it was an insurance approved shop (one of only 2 they approved) to have the repairs potentially done. The body shop was instructed to repair it because the insurance company rep felt the damage wasn't worth more than what it was. The rep and body shop stopped at a $14,000 value to replace the left/right body panels, hood, grill, bumper, fix the front part of the frame, replace the swaybar system, lockers and axle. They didn't do damage assessment for the rest of the unibody, mechanical parts, or any other part of the vehicle. That shop has since closed as I recently found out.

We all have the right to agree to disagree and it's all good. All options should be on the table when someone is looking at the repair of their vehicle...to include as he said the safety of his family if he were to have it repaired and use it again. During my Accident, my wife refused to put herself or the kids back into the Jeep if it was "repaired" and returned to us given the condition of the Jeep after it was hit. She didn't trust it and didn't want to settle with a half repaired jeep and neither did I.

just my .02 worth.

 

[CoachMitch]

It's good that your shop/personnel are that competent that Chrysler trusts you all to do their work. For this shop, it wasn't the shop I chose...it was an insurance approved shop (one of only 2 they approved) to have the repairs potentially done. The body shop was instructed to repair it because the insurance company rep felt the damage wasn't worth more than what it was. The rep and body shop stopped at a $14,000 value to replace the left/right body panels, hood, grill, bumper, fix the front part of the frame, replace the swaybar system, lockers and axle. They didn't do damage assessment for the rest of the unibody, mechanical parts, or any other part of the vehicle. That shop has since closed as I recently found out.

We all have the right to agree to disagree and it's all good. All options should be on the table when someone is looking at the repair of their vehicle...to include as he said the safety of his family if he were to have it repaired and use it again. During my Accident, my wife refused to put herself or the kids back into the Jeep if it was "repaired" and returned to us given the condition of the Jeep after it was hit. She didn't trust it and didn't want to settle with a half repaired jeep and neither did I.

just my .02 worth.

Its all good. In my original post I let the OP know the he has the RIGHT to choose his repair facility. The insurance company can suggest one of their direct repair shops but you do not have to go that route. Most people do not know their rights and the insurance companies have no desire to share this with you. It is true that shops with direct repair agreements are under tremendous pressure to do what they are told by the insurers that send them most of their work. It is unfortunate that the vehicle owners desires usually are not considered in this scenario. On a side note. The damage to your jeep was massive. I hope everyone was OK. I am glad that the insurance company did the right thing and totalled the vehicle. Also glad that you stood up to them and did what was necessary to get them to do the right thing. A lesson to the OP. It is your vehicle not the insurance companies. Fight for what you want ....within reason.

 

[tx2010jk]

Thanks for all your input, I really appreciate it. I guess it comes down to if the frame is bent at all. I have my insurance company adjuster come out tomorrow, the other party's adjuster is coming out soon, and I have one nearby body shop give an estimate. Should give me a pretty good idea of where we stand. And if the repair cost is too low to total it, if I like it or not, it'll have to be repaired, I realize that. In that case, I'll look into a diminished value claim, thanks for that suggestion. I'm sure they can repair it so that it's safe again, it just sucks that it does not feel like the brand new vehicle that we just bought after replacing the Jeep that we had owned from new for 10+ years.
I secretly almost wish there was more damage, but then again, my wife's OK and that all that matters in the end!
If anyone has some good suggestions on body shops in the Austin, TX area, I would appreciate it.
THANKS!

 

[JPK]

I have had insurance adjusters understate the damage to a vehicle. But I haven't lost an argument yet. I have had success making the insurance company pay to have a vehicle towed from their repair shop choice to mine as well.

When you look at any estimate, make sure it specs new OEM parts, from my experience most insurance captive shops will use aftermarket and or salvaged parts to cut costs.

My business has a fleet of 120 vehicles, and unfortunately lots of experience with this.

Good independent shops, like Coach's, are a fine way to go, often better than a dealership in quality and alomost always better in costomer service and in time to complete.

Glad all is well. After repair and diminished value claim, etc, if you aren't 100%, go ahead and trade it or sell it and get a new one and start over... Any loss will be a small price to pay for peace of mind.

(BTW, one way to leverage a diminished value claim is do your recearch and come up with your own suportable market value, so your argument has some meat to it. If you can establish the value pre-wreck, you can tell them they can have it at that number...)

Best of luck,

JPK

 

[Goodysgotacuda]

no airbag deployment on that whack? or did i miss that?

 

[tx2010jk]

After repair and diminished value claim, etc, if you aren't 100%, go ahead and trade it or sell it and get a new one and start over... Any loss will be a small price to pay for peace of mind.

This is the first ever vehicle that we decided to lease....so trading it is not an option....we were planning on buying it after the three years because the residual looked really good....now I'm not so sure I want it anymore

 

[tx2010jk]

no airbag deployment on that whack? or did i miss that?

nope....probably because of side impact....

 

[AV8R72]

First of all, I am glad to hear everyone is okay! After all, that is what is most important. Second, I can definitely relate! I know it sucks looking at what happened. I had my brand new 2010 JK for just under a month and got in a wreck this past April. So I'll fill you in on what I experienced.

Typically, the insurance company won't total a vehicle unless the cost of repairs exceeds at least 75 to 80% of the total value. That varies depending on the insurance company. Also, each state may have different rules when it comes to determining repairs and/or a total loss. This also includes diminished value. Where I live (VA), I can only get reimbursed for diminished value if the other party was at fault. Unfortunately in my case, both parties were determined to be equally responsible, so I am SOL when it comes to diminished value. But it sounds like you were definitely not at fault. So be sure to inquire about diminished value with your insurance company. Also, if no one was cited at the accident scene, the insurance companies are the ones who investigate the accident.....not the police. This was surprising to me.

I have spoken to numerous people on these boards, and also mechanics in passing. You would be surprised as to what can be fixed when it comes to vehicle damage. I just had my entire frame replaced, as well as the front axle assembly, and numerous other parts. They essentially rebuilt my Jeep. I have to say, it looks really great. When it comes to new vehicles, they will most likely repair it, since the value of the repairs is most likely to be much cheaper than the value of the vehicle. In my case I paid $30000 and the damage was $16000.

Also, if you are not satisfied with the repairs, then be sure to tell the body shop AND your insurance company. I have USAA, and they have been great. They actually picked the body shop, since I was unfamiliar with any local shops. Although, I did have the choice to pick my own. Fortunately, the guys at the shop were very nice, and the shop had gotten good reviews (you can research reviews online). When they originally called me to tell me that my Jeep was ready to be picked up after all repairs, I was not satisifed with what I saw. Now I am very picky, and managed to point out some things that were not "perfect." The average bystander would most likely not have noticed. The body shop was more than accomodating and agreed to take a look at what I pointed out. They made some adjustments on some parts, and replaced a few more. I picked it up yesterday and it looks great. So make sure you are satisfied with the results. PM me if you have any questions. Hope this helps. Regardless, you'll have your Jeep back. Oh, and one other thing I realized.....patience definitely helps! This is not a speedy process. Best wishes!

 

[tx2010jk]

I went out to the lot today, and took some pics to share with y'all. Unfortunately, I can't seem to upload the, despite the fact that they are jpegs, well under the 250kb limit....I get an invalid file message. I will try something else when I have time.

 

[gold knight]

Glad to hear everyone is okay, that's the main thing.

 

[N2rock]

If their insurance decided to repair (and does not total it)- be sure to hit them up for "diminished value". They will not voluntarily offer it, you have to ask for it. And even then they will still likely balk at it. That's when you threaten to get an attorney. They will likely fork it up to avoid having an attorney get involved.

 

[4x4x4]

As someone who was in a badly wrecked JK I'm glad everyone is ok.