Body shop guys--I need help please

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Body shop manager #2 just called. He thinks if Allstate totals it and writes me a check for FMV then I can use the money and buy it back from Allstate and let the body shop fix it for less, provided they can "find parts for it". I assume that means locate clean straight parts in a junkyard so they can fix it for a lower price.

Maybe I will get to keep my truck but please if anyone here knows how this new proposal works please let me know. I am kind of confused about it and the body shop guy wouldn't really give many details because Allstate has not yet inspected my truck. I have a feeling they want it totaled so they can take the check Allstate writes to me and fix it for less but still make money on the job. But I don't think the body shop wants me to know that. I don't care how it's done as long as it's fixed right and is safe to drive.
 
I don't understand what the issue is. If the total the truck, you will get at least what you owe on it. Pay off the note on the truck, and start freash - get yourself a loan on a newer, un-wrecked vehicle.

In the long run, it's not going to cause you anymore hardship, b/c if they fix this truck, you still have to make payments on it, so you'll be making payments one way or another.

I'd 'detangle' myself from this, and start fresh. You'll never really fell like it's 'your truck' after its repaired, anyway.
 
Originally Posted By: addyguy
I don't understand what the issue is. If the total the truck, you will get at least what you owe on it. Pay off the note on the truck, and start freash - get yourself a loan on a newer, un-wrecked vehicle.


if i read it right he is upside down on payments.

its a bad situation all around, i have AAA and they have taken great care of me when I have needed them.
 
This is the very reason why I asked him in another topic about his truck... if he and his GF had neck or back pain due the accident cause by the other driver.

It looks like you will get the shaft even though he didn't cause the accident.
mad.gif


Now let me ask you again. Are you sure you don't have any injuries ???
 
No I am not upside down on the loan. NADA book value in clean condition is 3700 and that's about what I owe after this month's payment clears the bank.

Yes my gf and I contacted an attorney and we are seeing a chiropractor. She has soft tissue damage in her neck, shoulder and chest due to the seat belt, according to the Xrays so far. I have some shifting and movement of vertebrae in my neck which is causing some pain and stiffness in my neck and right shoulder, according to the Xrays and exams so far. ANd my left ankle still hurts from where I slammed down on the clutch when I tried to stop to avoid the wreck.

Any money or settlements from a lawsuit are at least 3 to 6 months down the road, depending on how long it takes my gf and I to reach maximum medical improvement. I am not really in this for settelement money. All I really want is for Allstate to do the right thing and fix my truck without me paying anything out of pocket. Allstate just wants to minimize their loss and could not care less about me or my truck.

I think the truck would be OK and I should be satisfied with the repairs, it's only the hood, fender, bumper and cross member that are damaged. Oh and it will need a new AC condenser and a radiator and fan shroud. But it's not that bad. The frame is not bent, according to the body shop.

Thanks for the help here.
 
Thanks. I have lost some sleep, that is true. I hope to speak to the Allstate claims adjuster tomorrow. I expect he will say my truck is totaled and not worth fixing, at which point he and I will start going round and round on a dollar figure. I have done my homework and researched the prices other Dakota's sell for within a 300 mile radius. That is part of the problem, there are not very many 2001's for sale and none of them are exactly like mine with the extended cab and a manual transmission. I also researched on NADA and Kelley Blue Book web sites to figure the value on my truck. I am not going to let Allstate rip me off. This accident was not my fault and Allstate needs to pay up. Period.
 
I was amazed how well we made out recently when my wife was rear ended by an Allstate insured. We chose a body shop we trusted and Allstate went ahead and paid them a negociated price. Very little hassle to us. I did accept used parts on my 02.
 
Originally Posted By: Jimmy9190
Thanks. I have lost some sleep, that is true. I hope to speak to the Allstate claims adjuster tomorrow. I expect he will say my truck is totaled and not worth fixing, at which point he and I will start going round and round on a dollar figure. I have done my homework and researched the prices other Dakota's sell for within a 300 mile radius. That is part of the problem, there are not very many 2001's for sale and none of them are exactly like mine with the extended cab and a manual transmission. I also researched on NADA and Kelley Blue Book web sites to figure the value on my truck. I am not going to let Allstate rip me off. This accident was not my fault and Allstate needs to pay up. Period.


You won't get very far by insisting on an exact replacement. What you can do is to document what an exact replacement would cost and co for that price. A manual transmission may be a plus to you, but it's minus to most buyers and may reduce the replacement cost estimate. Concentrate on your vehicle total option list and comparable replacement cost based on local/nearby prices.
 
Thanks for the info. Similar 2001 Dakota Sport extended cab trucks around here in a 300 mile radius online, in the newspaper and in car and truck trader magazines all range from $4500 on up to $7000 depending on mileage and condition. So I don't think $5,750 is an unfair price. $5500 of that is for the fair market value of my truck, the other $250 is for half of the cost of the parts I have replaced in the last 2 months, which Allstate is legally obligated to pay me according to Florida insurance laws. They can either pay me a fair price for the truck now or they can pay the difference later on in the diminished property valuation portion of the accident and personal injury settlement. I am not going to let Allstate rip me off.
 
"I am not going to let Allstate rip me off."

As I said, good luck with that........

I've always gotten great service from my insurance company, Traders General, but if you're the 'other guy' dealing with someone else's insurance company, they aren't your friend.

Let us know how it turns out.
 
It's turning out to be the biggest bunch of B S I ever saw. Allstate still has not been to the body shop to inspect the damage and determine whether to total my truck. They have to "upload more photos" to someone at Allstate which apparently can not be done unless the adjuster is at the body shop. He was supposed to have been there today, now they say he won't be there until tomorrow. The body shop says I should know what's happening by the end of the week. Allstate is not only stringing me along, but they are tying the body shop's hands too. I feel like a worm on a fish hook. I don't see why in the world Allstate can't get on the job and get this over with, one way or the other. If I took this long in doing my job, I wouldn't have a job very long. What a load of carp.
 
If you don't like the progress made so far, use your collison coverage and get your GEICO folks into the act. Did the GEICO adjuster ever show up yet?
 
If I call Geico in on it, I have to pay the $500.00 deductible and the repairs count as a claim on my insurance. I will wait my turn with Allstate.
 
OK, your choice. You would get the $500 back after GEICO and Allstate do their reconciliation, three or so months later. That in itself is a good reason to carry a low deductible, if you don't like to put up with other insurance companies and their B__S. I assume you have a rental car through all this, while waiting for Allstate?
 
Yes, I have a rental and that was no easy process either. Allstate delayed authorization of a rental until they talked to the at-fault driver. It was 2 days before I got a rental and I had to go through the subrgation process with Geico to get it.

It would probably take Geico a couple of days to get involved and get someone to the body shop on this. At this point I think I will wait Allstate out and keep driving the rental car.

I am very disgusted with this process. I did not cause the wreck but I am the one who is being inconvenienced and put on the back burner. I am starting to think maybe this is a sign that I should let them total my truck and get another used truck. It has been so hard finding another Dakota with a manual that I may look at used Nissan Frontier pickups. Most of the Nissans I saw online were 5 speeds. I have read and heard a lot of good reviews on the Frontier, and the Nissan 4 cylinder is said to be very durable and a good engine.

Thanks for the help here.
 
If you had Allstate would the claim be processed any faster ?

maybe you should start looking for another truck.
 
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